LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 81ST LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

May 28, 2009

TO:	Honorable Joe Straus, Speaker of the House, House of Representatives
FROM:	John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB1822 by Solomons (Relating to the use of certain terms by certificated telecommunications utilities, retail electric providers, and electric utilities in retail bills.), As Passed 2nd House

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would require the Public Utility Commission (PUC) to adopt new rules including a list of defined terms common to the telecommunications and electricity industries.

The bill would establish requirements for retail electric providers to notify customers with a fixed rate product with at least one written notice of the date the fixed rate product will expire. The bill would establish the requirements of the written notifications, including timing of the delivery of the notification, printing requirements, and the inclusion of information regarding early termination fees or charges. The bill would require the PUC to adopt rules to implement these provisions.

The PUC anticipates any additional work resulting from the enactment of the bill could be reasonably absorbed within current resources.

Local Government Impact

The fiscal impact to local entities would depend on the number of modifications required on a customer's bill.

Source Agencies:

473 Public Utility Commission of Texas

LBB Staff:

JOB, ES, JRO, KJG, MW, TP