Honorable Charles Schwertner, Chair, Senate Committee on Business & Commerce
FROM:
Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
SB2148 by Hall (Relating to the reliability of the electricity supply chain.), As Introduced
Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for SB2148, As Introduced: a negative impact of ($659,906) 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
($329,953)
2027
($329,953)
2028
($329,953)
2029
($329,953)
2030
($329,953)
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
($329,953)
3.0
2027
($329,953)
3.0
2028
($329,953)
3.0
2029
($329,953)
3.0
2030
($329,953)
3.0
Fiscal Analysis
This bill would amend the Utilities Code, Section 38.077 to require the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC) and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) to conduct simulated or tabletop exercises with providers of electric generation service and transmission and distribution service in the ERCOT power region to mitigate and prepare for a threat of an attack or an actual physical attack on a critical facility. The exercise must be conducted at least once every two years.
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 due to increased work demand for the Critical Infrastructure Security and Risk Management team with Statewide Operations Center (SOC) activations. Three Project Specialist V ($82,000 per year with estimated benefits of $23,304) would be needed to coordinate the simulated exercises, conduct outreach and training with the affected utilities, and participate in the physical security tabletop exercises with the utilities. Other associated costs include $6,210 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.