Honorable Ken King, Chair, House Committee on State Affairs
FROM:
Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB3044 by Darby (Relating to the periodic elimination of generic transmission constraints in the ERCOT power region.), As Introduced
Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB3044, As Introduced: a negative impact of ($921,046) 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
($460,523)
2027
($460,523)
2028
($460,523)
2029
($460,523)
2030
($460,523)
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
($460,523)
3.0
2027
($460,523)
3.0
2028
($460,523)
3.0
2029
($460,523)
3.0
2030
($460,523)
3.0
Fiscal Analysis
The bill would amend the Utilities Code by requiring the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC) by rule to require the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) to implement a program to eliminate each generic transmission constraint (GTC) no latter than the tenth year in which the generic transmission constraint was established.
Methodology
Based on the analysis of the PUC, this estimate assumes the agency would require 3.0 additional full time equivalents (FTE) positions to implement the provisions of the bill. An Attorney III-V ($115,500 per year with estimated benefits of $32,825) would be needed to process transmission Certificates of Convenience & Necessity (CCN) and two Engineer III-V ($115,500 per year with estimated benefits of $32,825) would be needed for expertise and knowledge of transmissions. Other associated costs include $7,448 per year for payroll contributions, travel and other operating expenses.
Technology
PUC anticipates information technology expenditures of $8,100 per year.
Local Government Impact
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.