LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 79TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

April 9, 2005

TO:	Honorable Phil King, Chair, House Committee on Regulated Industries
FROM:	John S. O'Brien, Deputy Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB1411 by Campbell (Relating to the provision of broadband services.), As Introduced

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would require the Public Utility Commission (PUC) to develop a statewide broadband services deployment plan and establish a pilot project to develop and build a regional broadband network in a rural area.  The bill would require the pilot project to end September 1, 2009.

The PUC indicates that there would be a cost associated with implementation of the bill. It is anticipated that this cost could be absorbed within the agency's existing resources.

The bill would take effect September 1, 2005.

Local Government Impact

No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated. It is assumed that a regional planning agency that chooses to participate in the broadband pilot project would apply for, contract for, receive and spend a gift, grant, or other money from a private source or from a participating local, state, or federal governmental unit to cover all costs of implementing the provisions of the bill.

Source Agencies:

473 Public Utility Commission of Texas

LBB Staff:

JOB, JRO, MW, RB, KJG