LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 80TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

February 26, 2007

TO:	Honorable Phil King, Chair, House Committee on Regulated Industries
FROM:	John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB478 by Vo (Relating to the date of payment for retail utility services.), As Introduced

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would amend the Utilities Code to define retail utility provider and provide that a payment for retail utility services that is mailed to the retail utility provider using the United States Postal Service is considered made on the date the envelope or cover is postmarked by the postal service given certain conditions, otherwise a payment is considered made on the date the payment is delivered to the retail utility provider.  The bill would only apply to a payment due to a retail utility provider on or after the effective date of this bill.

Based on the analysis of the Public Utility Commission, it is assumed that duties and responsibilities associated with implementing the provisions of the bill could be accomplished by utilizing existing resources.

This bill would take effect on September 1, 2007.

Local Government Impact

No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.

Source Agencies:

473 Public Utility Commission of Texas, 475 Office of Public Utility Counsel

LBB Staff:

JOB, JRO, MW, TGl