SRC-JLB H.B. 1193 78(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 1193
78R5654 MTB-DBy: West, George "Buddy" (Armbrister)
Natural Resources
5/20/2003
Engrossed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

The Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) is proposing that the legislature
repeal Section 121.156, Texas Utilities Code, because this section no
longer serves the purpose for which it was originally adopted.  In 1981,
the legislature modified payment of the gas utilities' gross receipts tax
so that it was deposited into the state's general revenue fund rather than
the gas utilities fund, while RRC regulatory expenses were likewise paid
out of the general revenue fund rather than the gas utilities fund.  The
link between the dedicated gas utilities fund and the RRC regulatory
activities was thus broken.  Therefore, the RRC believes that the annual
report to the governor became unnecessary.  Funding of regulatory
activities is now performed through the normal agency budgeting process,
and regulatory activities and expenditures are reported through the RRC's
annual statistical and financial reports.  H.B. 1193 repeals Section
121.156 (Railroad Commission Report), Utilities Code. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to
a state officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Repealer:  Section 121.156 (Railroad Commission Report),
Utilities Code. 

SECTION 2.  Effective date:  upon passage or September 1, 2003.