LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
                              Austin, Texas
                                     
                    FISCAL NOTE, 77th Regular Session
  
                              April 24, 2001
  
  
          TO:  Honorable Ron E. Lewis, Chair, House Committee on Energy
               Resources
  
        FROM:  John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board
  
       IN RE:  HB3429  by Merritt (Relating to a transfer of the
               Railroad Commission of Texas' powers and duties regarding
               regulation of gas utilities to the Public Utility
               Commission of Texas.), As Introduced
  
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*  No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.        *
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This bill would transfer the Railroad Commission's powers and duties
regarding regulation of gas utilities to the Public Utility Commission.

It is assumed that all operating costs, revenue, and full-time equivalent
positions associated with the administration of regulation of gas
utilities will be transferred to the Public Utility Commission.
  
Local Government Impact
  
No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
  
  
Source Agencies:   475   Office of Public Utility Counsel, 473   Public
                   Utility Commission of Texas, 304   Comptroller of
                   Public Accounts, 455   Railroad Commission of Texas
LBB Staff:         JK, CL, SK