LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 81ST LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

April 20, 2009

TO:	Honorable Troy Fraser, Chair, Senate Committee on Business & Commerce
FROM:	John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	SB681 by Ogden (Relating to the ability of electric utilities to provide electric service during a major power outage.), As Introduced

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would require the Public Utility Commission (PUC) to conduct a study of electric utilities' ability to restore service to customers for major events in which the outage is expected to last longer than 24 hours. The bill would authorize the PUC to require utilities found to need improvements in the restoration abilities, to construct interconnections with neighboring utilities, enter into emergency electricity supply agreements with other utilties, or develop a joint restoration procedure with another utility. The bill would require the PUC to submit the results of its study to the legislature by September 1, 2011.

The PUC indicates that any costs associated with implementing the provisions of the bill could be absorbed within the agency's 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, JRO, ES