Texas House Bill HB2011

Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Caption

Relating to the affordability of electric power for certain public retail customers.

Impact

By exempting public retail customers from certain taxes, HB2011 is anticipated to lower their overall electricity expenses. This could have significant implications for budget management in public school districts, potentially allowing more funds to be allocated toward educational purposes rather than utility expenses. Additionally, the bill mandates that the Public Utility Commission of Texas will adjust billing for public school districts to reflect any reduction in the utility's tax liability attributable to this exemption, further ensuring that these customers benefit from reduced electric costs.

Summary

House Bill 2011 addresses the affordability of electric power for specific public retail customers in Texas. It introduces a tax exemption on the gross receipts from the sale of electricity to public retail customers, such as public school districts. This amendment to the Tax Code aims to reduce the electric costs for these entities, thereby promoting more accessible and affordable electric service. The bill also includes provisions for ensuring competitive bidding processes when electric power is sold to these customers, thus aiming to enhance fairness and accountability in the procurement of electricity.

Contention

While the primary aim of HB2011 is to provide financial relief for public retail customers, there may be contention surrounding the funding implications for the state. Critics may express concerns that such tax exemptions could reduce state revenue, affecting public funding for other essential services. On the other hand, supporters will argue that the potential economic benefits of reduced energy costs for schools and public entities will outweigh the initial revenue losses. Thus, discussions around this bill could center on balancing affordability for public entities with the financial health of state revenue.