LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 82ND LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

May 5, 2011

TO:	Honorable David Dewhurst, Lieutenant Governor, Senate
FROM:	John S O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	SB1153 by Williams (Relating to the authority of the Public Utility Commission of Texas to participate in certain proceedings before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. ), As Passed 2nd House

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would amend the Utilities Code to allow the Public Utility Commission (PUC) to engage any consultant, accountant, auditor, engineer or attorney that the commission considers necessary to assist the PUC in a proceeding before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for certain proceedings. The bill would require electric utilities to pay for the reasonable costs of such services.

Based on the analysis of the Public Utility Commission and the Office of the Attorney General, it is assumed that duties and responsibilities associated with implementing the provisions of the bill could be accomplished by utilizing existing resources.

Local Government Impact

No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.

Source Agencies:

473 Public Utility Commission of Texas, 302 Office of the Attorney General, 304 Comptroller of Public Accounts

LBB Staff:

JOB, KJG, MW, RAN, AG