83(R) HB 1864 - Enrolled version

The bill would amend Chapter 2311 of the Government Code, as added by Chapter 1280, Acts of the Eighty-first Legislature, Regular Session, 2009, to add institutions of higher education to the list of facilities designated as a "critical governmental facility." This designation would place institutions of higher education under the purview of Section 2311.002, which requires an evaluation to determine if equipping a critical governmental facility with a combined heating and power system would result in expected energy savings that would exceed the expected costs of purchasing, operating, and maintaining the system over a 20-year period. If the expected energy savings exceeds the expected costs, the institution of higher education would be authorized to equip the facility with a combined heating and power system. The bill would also require the State Energy Conservation Office (SECO) to establish guidelines for evaluating the cost effectiveness of equipping a critical governmental facility with a combined heating and power system.

Several institutions of higher education, including Texas A&M University System, University of Houston, Texas State University System, Texas Tech University System, University of North Texas System, Texas State Technical College System, as well as the Higher Education Coordinating Board and SECO within the Comptroller of Public Accounts indicated that any additional work resulting from the passage of the bill could be reasonably absorbed within current resources. The University of Texas System estimates there would be a minimal cost associated with implementing the provisions of the bill.

LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 83RD LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION


May 23, 2013

TO:	Honorable Joe Straus, Speaker of the House, House of Representatives

FROM:	Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board

IN RE:	HB1864 by Wu (Relating to certain energy security technologies for critical governmental facilities.), As Passed 2nd House