LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD Austin, Texas FISCAL NOTE, 88TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION April 16, 2023 TO: Honorable Oscar Longoria, Chair, House Committee on Business & Industry FROM: Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board IN RE: HB2128 by Bailes (Relating to the charging of exorbitant or excessive prices for natural gas during a declared disaster.), As Introduced The fiscal implications of the bill cannot be determined because the timing of declared disasters, number of complaints, and amount of civil penalties that would be assessed in relation to provisions of the bill are unknown. The bill would amend the Business and Commerce Code as it relates to false, misleading, or deceptive acts or practices during a disaster declared by the governor under Section 418 of the Government Code or by the President of the United States. The bill would add "demanding exorbitant or excessive prices" in connection with certain sales of natural gas as an action that constitutes taking advantage of a declared natural disaster which would be subject to civil suit and civil penalty.Based on information provided by the Railroad Commission, it is assumed that costs associated with implementing the provisions of the bill could be absorbed using existing resources. Based on information provided by the Comptroller of Public Accounts, civil penalties could be increased by the inclusion of a new offense; however, the amount of the increase cannot be determined.The overall fiscal implications of the bill cannot be determined because the timing of declared disasters, number of complaints, and amount of civil penalties that would be assessed under the provisions of the bill are unknown. Local Government ImpactNo significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated. Source Agencies: b > td > 304 Comptroller of Public Accounts, 455 Railroad Commission LBB Staff: b > td > JMc, SZ, MW, EJ
LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
FISCAL NOTE, 88TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION
April 16, 2023
TO: Honorable Oscar Longoria, Chair, House Committee on Business & Industry FROM: Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board IN RE: HB2128 by Bailes (Relating to the charging of exorbitant or excessive prices for natural gas during a declared disaster.), As Introduced
TO: Honorable Oscar Longoria, Chair, House Committee on Business & Industry
FROM: Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE: HB2128 by Bailes (Relating to the charging of exorbitant or excessive prices for natural gas during a declared disaster.), As Introduced
Honorable Oscar Longoria, Chair, House Committee on Business & Industry
Honorable Oscar Longoria, Chair, House Committee on Business & Industry
Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board
Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board
HB2128 by Bailes (Relating to the charging of exorbitant or excessive prices for natural gas during a declared disaster.), As Introduced
HB2128 by Bailes (Relating to the charging of exorbitant or excessive prices for natural gas during a declared disaster.), As Introduced
The fiscal implications of the bill cannot be determined because the timing of declared disasters, number of complaints, and amount of civil penalties that would be assessed in relation to provisions of the bill are unknown.
The fiscal implications of the bill cannot be determined because the timing of declared disasters, number of complaints, and amount of civil penalties that would be assessed in relation to provisions of the bill are unknown.
The bill would amend the Business and Commerce Code as it relates to false, misleading, or deceptive acts or practices during a disaster declared by the governor under Section 418 of the Government Code or by the President of the United States. The bill would add "demanding exorbitant or excessive prices" in connection with certain sales of natural gas as an action that constitutes taking advantage of a declared natural disaster which would be subject to civil suit and civil penalty.Based on information provided by the Railroad Commission, it is assumed that costs associated with implementing the provisions of the bill could be absorbed using existing resources. Based on information provided by the Comptroller of Public Accounts, civil penalties could be increased by the inclusion of a new offense; however, the amount of the increase cannot be determined.The overall fiscal implications of the bill cannot be determined because the timing of declared disasters, number of complaints, and amount of civil penalties that would be assessed under the provisions of the bill are unknown.
Based on information provided by the Comptroller of Public Accounts, civil penalties could be increased by the inclusion of a new offense; however, the amount of the increase cannot be determined.The overall fiscal implications of the bill cannot be determined because the timing of declared disasters, number of complaints, and amount of civil penalties that would be assessed under the provisions of the bill are unknown.
The overall fiscal implications of the bill cannot be determined because the timing of declared disasters, number of complaints, and amount of civil penalties that would be assessed under the provisions of the bill are unknown.
Local Government Impact
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
Source Agencies: b > td > 304 Comptroller of Public Accounts, 455 Railroad Commission
304 Comptroller of Public Accounts, 455 Railroad Commission
LBB Staff: b > td > JMc, SZ, MW, EJ
JMc, SZ, MW, EJ