LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD Austin, Texas FISCAL NOTE, 82ND LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION March 7, 2011 TO: Honorable John Carona, Chair, Senate Committee on Business & Commerce FROM: John S O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board IN RE:SB834 by Deuell (Relating to the update of discounted telecommunication services provided to educational institutions, libraries, hospitals, and health centers.), As Introduced There is an indeterminate savings to the state from the provisions of this bill because it would continue the prohibition on rate increases for private network services, the provision of discounted rates for private network services, and other benefits currently provided to educational institutions, libraries, hospitals and telemedicine centers under Chapters 58 of the Utilities Code. The bill would amend the Utilities Code to continue the prohibition on rate increases for private network services, the provision of discounted rates for private network services, and other benefits currently provided to educational institutions, libraries, hospitals and telemedicine centers under Chapters 58 of the Utilities Code for another 8 years through January 1, 2020. The bill would also add nonprofit health centers to the list of eligible entities under the chapter, clarify the definition of health center and update the language in the statute to include new technologies. The exact savings due to implementing the provisions of the bill cannot be determined because the fiscal impact would depend on the actions of telecommunications service providers in setting rates. Since the potential increased costs would vary by entity if the date on which the benefits provided in Chapters 58 are set to expire were not changed by the bill, savings to the state cannot be determined. Local Government Impact It is anticipated that there would be an indeterminate savings to local government entities that are currently benefitting from provisions in Chapter 58. However, the amount of savings due to implementing the provisions of the bill cannot be determined because the fiscal impact would depend on the actions of telecommunications service providers in setting rates. Since the potential increased costs would vary by entity if the date on which the benefits provided in Chapters 58 are set to expire were not changed by the bill, savings to local entities cannot be determined. Source Agencies:473 Public Utility Commission of Texas LBB Staff: JOB, AG, MW, RAN
LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
FISCAL NOTE, 82ND LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION
March 7, 2011
TO: Honorable John Carona, Chair, Senate Committee on Business & Commerce FROM: John S O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board IN RE:SB834 by Deuell (Relating to the update of discounted telecommunication services provided to educational institutions, libraries, hospitals, and health centers.), As Introduced
TO: Honorable John Carona, Chair, Senate Committee on Business & Commerce
FROM: John S O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE: SB834 by Deuell (Relating to the update of discounted telecommunication services provided to educational institutions, libraries, hospitals, and health centers.), As Introduced
Honorable John Carona, Chair, Senate Committee on Business & Commerce
Honorable John Carona, Chair, Senate Committee on Business & Commerce
John S O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
John S O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
SB834 by Deuell (Relating to the update of discounted telecommunication services provided to educational institutions, libraries, hospitals, and health centers.), As Introduced
SB834 by Deuell (Relating to the update of discounted telecommunication services provided to educational institutions, libraries, hospitals, and health centers.), As Introduced
There is an indeterminate savings to the state from the provisions of this bill because it would continue the prohibition on rate increases for private network services, the provision of discounted rates for private network services, and other benefits currently provided to educational institutions, libraries, hospitals and telemedicine centers under Chapters 58 of the Utilities Code.
There is an indeterminate savings to the state from the provisions of this bill because it would continue the prohibition on rate increases for private network services, the provision of discounted rates for private network services, and other benefits currently provided to educational institutions, libraries, hospitals and telemedicine centers under Chapters 58 of the Utilities Code.
The bill would amend the Utilities Code to continue the prohibition on rate increases for private network services, the provision of discounted rates for private network services, and other benefits currently provided to educational institutions, libraries, hospitals and telemedicine centers under Chapters 58 of the Utilities Code for another 8 years through January 1, 2020. The bill would also add nonprofit health centers to the list of eligible entities under the chapter, clarify the definition of health center and update the language in the statute to include new technologies. The exact savings due to implementing the provisions of the bill cannot be determined because the fiscal impact would depend on the actions of telecommunications service providers in setting rates. Since the potential increased costs would vary by entity if the date on which the benefits provided in Chapters 58 are set to expire were not changed by the bill, savings to the state cannot be determined.
Local Government Impact
It is anticipated that there would be an indeterminate savings to local government entities that are currently benefitting from provisions in Chapter 58. However, the amount of savings due to implementing the provisions of the bill cannot be determined because the fiscal impact would depend on the actions of telecommunications service providers in setting rates. Since the potential increased costs would vary by entity if the date on which the benefits provided in Chapters 58 are set to expire were not changed by the bill, savings to local entities cannot be determined.
Source Agencies: 473 Public Utility Commission of Texas
473 Public Utility Commission of Texas
LBB Staff: JOB, AG, MW, RAN
JOB, AG, MW, RAN