LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 79TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

March 17, 2005

TO:	Honorable Robert Puente, Chair, House Committee on Natural Resources
FROM:	John S. O'Brien, Deputy Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB1358 by Flores (Relating to the jurisdiction of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality over certain water supply or sewer service corporations.), As Introduced

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would provide the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) with the same jurisdiction over a water supply or sewer service corporation (WSC) as it does over an investor-owned utility if, after an investigation and hearing based on a verified complaint by a person affected by the WSC's rates or services, the commission finds that the WSC is charging unfair, unjust, or unreasonable rates.

The TCEQ anticipates that the bill's passage could increase the number of rate cases the agency handles, and passage of the bill would require rulemaking by the TCEQ. However, any increased workload is expected to be handled using existing agency resources.

Local Government Impact

No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.

Source Agencies:

582 Commission on Environmental Quality

LBB Staff:

JOB, WK, ZS, TL, KJG