Honorable Ken King, Chair, House Committee on State Affairs
FROM:
Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB2152 by Morales, Eddie (Relating to a reliability plan for electric transmission service in the Permian Basin.), As Introduced
Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB2152, As Introduced: a negative impact of ($878,172) through the biennium ending August 31, 2027.
The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of the bill.
General Revenue-Related Funds, Five- Year Impact:
Fiscal Year
Probable Net Positive/(Negative) Impact to General Revenue Related Funds
2026
($439,086)
2027
($439,086)
2028
($439,086)
2029
($439,086)
2030
($439,086)
All Funds, Five-Year Impact:
Fiscal Year
Probable Savings/(Cost) from General Revenue Fund 1
Change in Number of State Employees from FY 2025
2026
($439,086)
3.0
2027
($439,086)
3.0
2028
($439,086)
3.0
2029
($439,086)
3.0
2030
($439,086)
3.0
Fiscal Analysis
The bill would amend the Utility Code to require the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC) to direct the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) to update the reliability plan for the Permian Basin every five years.
Methodology
Based on analysis from the PUC, this estimate assumes the agency would require 3.0 additional full time equivalent (FTE) positions to implement the provisions of the bill. An Attorney III - IV ($115,500 per year with estimated benefits of $32,825) would be needed for additional case load. An Economist III ($99,000 per year with estimated benefits of $28,135) would be needed for market analysis of the ERCOT power region. Lastly, an Engineer III-V ($115,500 per year with estimated benefits of $32,825) would be needed for expertise related to distributions line. Other associated costs include $7,200 per year for payroll contributions, travel and other operating expenses.
Technology
PUC anticipates information technology expenditures of $8,100 per year.
Local Government Impact
According to the PUC, there could be an impact to local governments in the Permian Basin area as transmission and distributions lines are added, however the amount could not be quantified.