LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 81ST LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

May 15, 2009

TO:	Honorable Kip Averitt, Chair, Senate Committee on Natural Resources
FROM:	John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB1883 by Farabee (Relating to the status of certain transporters of natural or synthetic gas and liquified natural gas marine terminals as gas utilities.), Committee Report 2nd House, Substituted

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would authorize the Railroad Commission (RRC) to review a certification made by a person claiming to be exempt from utility status because the person transports gas in, or in the vicinity of, the field or fields where the gas is produced (gathering lines).  The bill would also require that the RRC invite a person who's certification is being reviewed to an informal meeting to resolve the person's status. If a person's status would remain unsolved after such informal meeting, the RRC would provide notice and an opportunity for hearing.

This estimate assumes that any additional workload requirements for the RRC resulting from the bill's passage could be absorbed using existing resources.

Local Government Impact

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

Source Agencies:

455 Railroad Commission

LBB Staff:

JOB, SZ, TL, SD