LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 81ST LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

May 18, 2009

TO:	Honorable Troy Fraser, Chair, Senate Committee on Business & Commerce
FROM:	John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB3309 by Gattis (Relating to consolidation of certain proceedings on an application for a certificate of convenience and necessity.), As Engrossed

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would require the Public Utility Commission (PUC) to consolidate the proceedings on an application to obtain or amend a certificate of convenience and necessity for the construction of a transmission line with the proceeding on another application to obtain or amend a certificate of convenience and necessity for the construction of a transmission line if it is apparent that the transmission lines that are the subject of the separate proceedings share a common point of interconnection. The bill would exempt a proceeding on an application for a certificate of convenience and necessity for a trasmission line to serve a competitive renewable enrgy zone from this requirement, unless the transmission line would be constructed by more than one transmission service provider. The PUC may need to conduct a rulemaking in order to conform existing rules to the bill's provisions.

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

Local Government Impact

No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.

Source Agencies:

473 Public Utility Commission of Texas

LBB Staff:

JOB, JRO, ES, KJG