LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 81ST LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

April 7, 2009

TO:	Honorable Jim Keffer, Chair, House Committee on Energy Resources
FROM:	John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB4309 by Crownover (Relating a requirement for electric utilities to seek grants or loans related to the deployment of advanced meters and transmission for renewable energy.), As Introduced

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would require an electric utility or transmission and distribution utility that deploys advanced meter and meter information networks to seek to obtain and utilize funds, including grants, loans, and loan guarantees, made available by the federal government if such funds would lower the overall cost of deployment. The bill would require the Public Utility Commission to review the funds obtained by the electric utility or transmission and distribution utility and reflect the reduction in surcharges.

Based on the analysis of the Public Utility Commission, duties and responsibilities associated with implementing the provisions of the bill could be accomplished by utilizing existing 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, ES, SD