SRC-JLB S.B. 1201 78(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 1201
78R5963 JJT-FBy: Lucio
Natural Resources
5/14/2003
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, certain utilities are claiming that giving the cost-based
transportation rates for natural gas to state agencies means that it must
be given to all members of the commercial class of customers, which raises
the specter of intra-class discrimination with private commercial
customers.  As proposed, S.B. 1201 redefines a public retail customer to
expand the class to include all public retail customers. 

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.  Amends Section 35.101(2), Utilities Code, to redefine "public
retail customer." 

SECTION 2.  Amends Section 35.102, Utilities Code, as follows:
 
Sec. 35.102.  STATE AUTHORITY TO SELL OR CONVEY POWER.  Authorizes the
remainder of the power, if any, to be sold to other public retail
customers.  Deletes text including "political subdivisions of the state"
as a modifier to the phrase "public retail customers." 

SECTION 3.  Effective date:  upon passage or September 1, 2003.