BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

 

H.B. 1731

By: Pitts

Energy Resources

Committee Report (Unamended)

 

 

 

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

 

The alternative fuels research and education division of the Railroad Commission of Texas was created in 1991. The division is responsible for educating the public about propane as an environmentally friendly and economically beneficial alternative fuel for use in homes, on farms, and in motor vehicles. The division is funded by a surcharge on the purchase of propane, and fifty percent of these funds are allocated to rebates for consumers that install energy-efficient propane appliances. However, current law requires that money allocated to consumer rebates that remains unused at the end of the fiscal year be removed from the fund and placed in the general revenue fund. 

 

H.B. 1731 allows these funds to be carried over from year to year for use in subsequent consumer rebates.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

 

H.B. 1731 amends the Natural Resources Code to require the Railroad Commission of Texas to make available for rebates during a fiscal year the entire amount of money made available for rebates during the preceding fiscal year that was not spent during the preceding year, notwithstanding the limitation on the proportion of the fund usable for consumer incentives or rebate programs specified by commission rule. The bill establishes that the amount of money made available for rebates during the preceding fiscal year that was not spent during the preceding fiscal year is not counted in determining the limitation of the proportion of the fund usable for the rebate program during a fiscal year.

EFFECTIVE DATE

 

On passage, or, if the act does not receive the necessary vote, the act takes effect September 1, 2009.