LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
 
FISCAL NOTE, 83RD LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION
 
April 16, 2013

TO:
Honorable Byron Cook, Chair, House Committee on State Affairs
 
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
 
IN RE:
SB512 by Carona (Relating to the specialized telecommunications assistance program.), As Engrossed

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would amend the Utilities Code to transfer responsibilities relating to the Specialized Telecommunications Assistance Program from the Public Utility Commission (PUC) to the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS). 

Based on information provided by the PUC and DARS, this analysis assumes that duties and responsibilities associated with implementing the provisions of the bill could be accomplished at no significant cost to the state.  All functions relating to the Specialized Telecommunications Assistance Program (STAP) are currently funded through the Universal Service Fund (USF), which is a fund held outside the treasury.  Under current law, the PUC and DARS receive reimbursements from the USF as estimated appropriations in each agency's budget for work related to STAP. The provisions of the bill would transfer the USF reimbursements from the PUC related to STAP responsibilities to DARS.

Based on information provided by the Health and Human Services Commission, it is also 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, 529 Health and Human Services Commission, 538 Assistive and Rehabilitative Services, Department of, 304 Comptroller of Public Accounts
LBB Staff:
UP, AG, RB, MW, ED