LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD Austin, Texas FISCAL NOTE, 81ST LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION April 6, 2009 TO: Honorable Burt R. Solomons, Chair, House Committee on State Affairs FROM: John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board IN RE:HB3838 by Hilderbran (Relating to the powers and duties of the Office of Public Utility Counsel.), As Introduced No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated. The bill would amend the Water Code relating to powers and duties of the Office of Public Utility Counsel (OPUC). The bill would require OPUC to take certain actions relating to the interests of residential and small commercial consumers concerning water or sewer issues, which were previously the responsibility of the Office of Public Interest Counsel (OPIC) within the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). The bill would require that on Jan. 1, 2010, OPIC be abolished, and the functions, powers, duties, property, records, contracts and funds of OPIC related to the provisions of this bill be transferred to OPUC. The bill would transfer $488,157 in fiscal year 2010 and $482,957 in fiscal year 2011 appropriated to TCEQ by the 81st Legislature, Regular Session, relating to the provisions of the bill, to OPUC. Based on the analysis of TCEQ, it is assumed that the appropriations made to TCEQ for the 2010-11 biennium would be transferred to OPUC from the Water Resource Management Account No. 153, Clean Air Account No. 151, and Waste Management Account No. 549. Based on the analysis of OPUC, implementing the provisions of the bill would require an additional 3.0 FTEs at OPUC: 2.0 attorneys and 1.0 legal secretary. This analysis assumes that as a result of the transfer of funds from TCEQ to OPUC, there would be no significant fiscal impact to the state. Local Government Impact No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated. Source Agencies:475 Office of Public Utility Counsel, 582 Commission on Environmental Quality LBB Staff: JOB, KJG, MW, ES
LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
FISCAL NOTE, 81ST LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION
April 6, 2009
TO: Honorable Burt R. Solomons, Chair, House Committee on State Affairs FROM: John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board IN RE:HB3838 by Hilderbran (Relating to the powers and duties of the Office of Public Utility Counsel.), As Introduced
TO: Honorable Burt R. Solomons, Chair, House Committee on State Affairs
FROM: John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE: HB3838 by Hilderbran (Relating to the powers and duties of the Office of Public Utility Counsel.), As Introduced
Honorable Burt R. Solomons, Chair, House Committee on State Affairs
Honorable Burt R. Solomons, Chair, House Committee on State Affairs
John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
HB3838 by Hilderbran (Relating to the powers and duties of the Office of Public Utility Counsel.), As Introduced
HB3838 by Hilderbran (Relating to the powers and duties of the Office of Public Utility Counsel.), As Introduced
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend the Water Code relating to powers and duties of the Office of Public Utility Counsel (OPUC). The bill would require OPUC to take certain actions relating to the interests of residential and small commercial consumers concerning water or sewer issues, which were previously the responsibility of the Office of Public Interest Counsel (OPIC) within the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). The bill would require that on Jan. 1, 2010, OPIC be abolished, and the functions, powers, duties, property, records, contracts and funds of OPIC related to the provisions of this bill be transferred to OPUC. The bill would transfer $488,157 in fiscal year 2010 and $482,957 in fiscal year 2011 appropriated to TCEQ by the 81st Legislature, Regular Session, relating to the provisions of the bill, to OPUC. Based on the analysis of TCEQ, it is assumed that the appropriations made to TCEQ for the 2010-11 biennium would be transferred to OPUC from the Water Resource Management Account No. 153, Clean Air Account No. 151, and Waste Management Account No. 549. Based on the analysis of OPUC, implementing the provisions of the bill would require an additional 3.0 FTEs at OPUC: 2.0 attorneys and 1.0 legal secretary. This analysis assumes that as a result of the transfer of funds from TCEQ to OPUC, there would be no significant fiscal impact to the state.
The bill would amend the Water Code relating to powers and duties of the Office of Public Utility Counsel (OPUC). The bill would require OPUC to take certain actions relating to the interests of residential and small commercial consumers concerning water or sewer issues, which were previously the responsibility of the Office of Public Interest Counsel (OPIC) within the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ).
The bill would require that on Jan. 1, 2010, OPIC be abolished, and the functions, powers, duties, property, records, contracts and funds of OPIC related to the provisions of this bill be transferred to OPUC. The bill would transfer $488,157 in fiscal year 2010 and $482,957 in fiscal year 2011 appropriated to TCEQ by the 81st Legislature, Regular Session, relating to the provisions of the bill, to OPUC.
Based on the analysis of TCEQ, it is assumed that the appropriations made to TCEQ for the 2010-11 biennium would be transferred to OPUC from the Water Resource Management Account No. 153, Clean Air Account No. 151, and Waste Management Account No. 549. Based on the analysis of OPUC, implementing the provisions of the bill would require an additional 3.0 FTEs at OPUC: 2.0 attorneys and 1.0 legal secretary.
This analysis assumes that as a result of the transfer of funds from TCEQ to OPUC, there would be no significant fiscal impact to the state.
Local Government Impact
No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
Source Agencies: 475 Office of Public Utility Counsel, 582 Commission on Environmental Quality
475 Office of Public Utility Counsel, 582 Commission on Environmental Quality
LBB Staff: JOB, KJG, MW, ES
JOB, KJG, MW, ES