LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 79TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

April 22, 2005

TO:	Honorable Robert Puente, Chair, House Committee on Natural Resources
FROM:	John S. O'Brien, Deputy Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB2445 by Leibowitz (Relating to service by water and sewer utilities.), As Introduced

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would amend the Water Code to require a water or sewer utility to maintain minimum business hours of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except national holidays; to prohibit a utility from disconnecting a customer's service for late payment prior to the 31st day after the date the utility notifies the customer of overdue payment; and to limit to no more than the lesser of $25 or twice the amount of late payment that can be charged to reconnect service to the customer. The bill would take effect September 1, 2005.

The bill would apply to retail public utilities and to municipally owned utilities. The requirements, if not followed by the utilities, could result in complaints filed with the state, although it is assumed the impact could be handled within existing resources.

Local Government Impact

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

Source Agencies:

LBB Staff:

JOB, WK, DLBa