Honorable Brian Birdwell, Chair, Senate Committee on Natural Resources & Economic Development
FROM:
John McGeady, Assistant Director Sarah Keyton, Assistant Director Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
SB1281 by Birdwell (Relating to assessments for water and energy improvements in certain municipalities and counties.), As Introduced
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would require the State Energy Conservation Office (SECO) to administer the Property Assessed Clean Energy Act (Chapter 399 of the Local Government Code) through a third-party program administrator. SECO would be required to select the program administrator and adopt rules to administer the act. The program administrator would be authorized to collect user fees to pay the costs of administering the program. Based on the analysis of the Comptroller, the costs to implement the bill's provisions could be absorbed using existing resources.
Local Government Impact
According to the Texas Municipal League, the fiscal impact could be positive to a city, if the city participates in the program and receives the benefits under it. However, participation would vary from city to city so benefits cannot be determined.