82(R) HB 773 - House Committee Report version

The bill would create an energy efficiency council composed of 15 members as identified in the bill. The bill would require the council to meet at least twice each year and would authorize council members to receive reimbursements for expenses incurred while performing council business, subject to availability of funding. The State Energy Conservation Office (SECO) would provide the council with administrative support, including meeting space and staff necessary to assist the council in carrying out its duties. The bill would authorize the council to solicit gifts, grants and donations. The bill would require the website of SECO and the electric choice website of the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to include publications of the council. The bill would require the council to develop a list of currently operating energy efficiency programs in the state. SECO and PUC would be required to develop and publish on their websites a user-friendly page allowing consumers to search by address energy efficiency programs available in the consumer’s service area. The bill would require the council to submit to the Legislature not later than October 1 of each even-numbered year a report on energy efficiency programs in the state. The report would include: a comprehensive review of programs; comparisons of the programs with similar programs in other states; and recommendations for improving and creating new programs.

It is anticipated that any additional costs associated with implementation of the legislation could be absorbed within existing resources.

LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 82ND LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION


April 14, 2011

TO:	Honorable Jim Keffer, Chair, House Committee on Energy Resources

FROM:	John S O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board

IN RE:	HB773 by Anchia (Relating to creating an energy efficiency council to coordinate administration of energy efficiency programs.), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted