UTILITIES CODE

CHAPTER 16. COMMISSION FINANCING

SUBCHAPTER A. ASSESSMENT ON PUBLIC UTILITIES


	§ 16.001.  ASSESSMENT ON PUBLIC UTILITIES.  (a)  To 
defray the expenses incurred in the administration of this title, 
an assessment is imposed on each public utility, retail electric 
provider, and electric cooperative within the jurisdiction of the 
commission that serves the ultimate consumer, including each 
interexchange telecommunications carrier.
	(b)  An assessment under this section is equal to one-sixth 
of one percent of the public utility's, retail electric provider's, 
or electric cooperative's gross receipts from rates charged to the 
ultimate consumer in this state.
	(c)  An interexchange telecommunications carrier that does 
not provide local exchange telephone service may collect the fee 
imposed under this section as an additional item separately stated 
on the customer bill as "utility gross receipts assessment."

Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 166, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.  Amended 
by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 405, § 10, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.


	§ 16.002.  PAYMENT DATES.  (a)  The assessment is due 
August 15.          
	(b)  A public utility may instead make quarterly payments due 
August 15, November 15, February 15, and May 15.

Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 166, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.                    


	§ 16.003.  LATE PAYMENT PENALTY.  (a)  An additional fee 
equal to 10 percent of the amount due shall be assessed for any late 
payment of an assessment required under this subchapter.
	(b)  An assessment delinquent for more than 30 days accrues 
interest at an annual rate of 12 percent on the amount of the 
assessment and penalty due.

Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 166, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.                    


	§ 16.004.  COLLECTION BY COMPTROLLER.  The comptroller 
shall collect the assessment and any penalty or interest due under 
this subchapter.

Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 166, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.                    

SUBCHAPTER B. GRANTS AND OTHER FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE


	§ 16.021.  GRANTS OF FEDERAL FUNDS.  (a)  The commission 
may apply to an appropriate agency or officer of the United States 
to receive and spend federal funds available by grant or other 
similar form of financial assistance.
	(b)  This section does not impair the ability of the 
commission to contract with or receive assistance from a state, 
local, or other authorized source of funds.

Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 166, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.                    

SUBCHAPTER C. MONEY DISPOSITION, ACCOUNTING, AND BUDGET


	§ 16.041.  APPLICATION OF STATE FUNDS REFORM ACT.  Money 
paid to the commission or to the office under this title is subject 
to Subchapter F, Chapter 404, Government Code.

Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 166, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.                    


	§ 16.042.  ACCOUNTING RECORDS.  The commission shall 
keep the accounting records required by the comptroller.

Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 166, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.                    


	§ 16.043.  AUDIT.  The financial transactions of the 
commission are subject to audit by the state auditor under Chapter 
321, Government Code.

Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 166, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.                    


	§ 16.044.  APPROVAL OF BUDGET.  The commission budget is 
subject to legislative approval as part of the General 
Appropriations Act.

Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 166, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.