LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
 
FISCAL NOTE, 81ST LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION
 
April 9, 2009

TO:
Honorable John Carona, Chair, Senate Committee on Transportation & Homeland Security
 
FROM:
John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
 
IN RE:
SB686 by Davis, Wendy (Relating to the installation, maintenance, or operation of natural gas pipelines on state highways and highway rights-of-way.), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would amend the Transportation Code to allow a gas utility to lay, maintain, and operate a natural gas pipeline through, under, along, or across a state highway in areas of the state specified by the bill only if the pipeline is subject to the regulation of the Texas Railroad Commission and safety standard requirements; the pipeline complies with all applicable state rules and federal regulations on the accommodation of utility facilities on highway right-of-way; and the highway and associated facilities are promptly restored after the installation or maintenance of the pipeline is complete. The bill would authorize the Texas Transportation Commission to require a gas utility to relocate a facility at the cost of the utility to accommodate a highway project unless the gas utility has a property interest in the land occupied by the facility to be relocated.

Based on the analysis of the Texas Department of Transportation, it is assumed any additional costs or duties associated with implementing the provisions of the bill could be absorbed within existing resources.


Local Government Impact

No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.


Source Agencies:
601 Department of Transportation
LBB Staff:
JOB, KJG, TG