LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 81ST LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

April 13, 2009

TO:	Honorable Burt R. Solomons, Chair, House Committee on State Affairs
FROM:	John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB2216 by Pierson (Relating to the regulation of the maintenance of telephone and electric utility poles.), As Introduced

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would require the Public Utility Commission (PUC) or a municipality or county to ensure that electric and telecommunications utilities maintain telephone and electric utility poles so that they stand at an angle that varies no more than 30 percent from a line that is perpendicular to the ground.

The PUC would be required to adopt rules and conduct appropriate oversight activities to implement the provisions of the bill. The PUC indicates it could absorb the costs associated with the bill within its current resources.

Local Government Impact

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

Source Agencies:

473 Public Utility Commission of Texas

LBB Staff:

JOB, KJG, ES, TP