Bill Text: TX HB2264 | 2011-2012 | 82nd Legislature | Introduced

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft
Bill Title: Relating to the authority of the Public Utility Commission of Texas to participate in certain proceedings before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2011-05-04 - Laid on the table subject to call [HB2264 Detail]

Download: Texas-2011-HB2264-Introduced.html
  82R8069 JJT-F
 
  By: Ritter H.B. No. 2264
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the authority of the Public Utility Commission of Texas
  regarding an electric utility's membership in or control by a
  regional transmission organization or independent system operator
  and to participate in certain proceedings before the Federal Energy
  Regulatory Commission regarding an electric utility's membership
  in a power region, regional transmission organization, or
  independent system operator.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter J, Chapter 39, Utilities Code, is
  amended by adding Sections 39.4525 and 39.4526 to read as follows:
         Sec. 39.4525.  COMMISSION ORDER. (a) Notwithstanding any
  other provision of this chapter, the commission may order an
  electric utility subject to this subchapter to interact with, join,
  or submit to the operational control of a regional transmission
  organization or independent system operator.
         (b)  This section expires December 31, 2017.
         Sec. 39.4526.  HIRING ASSISTANCE FOR FEDERAL PROCEEDINGS.
  (a) The commission may engage any consultant, accountant, auditor,
  engineer, or attorney the commission considers necessary to assist
  the commission in a proceeding before the Federal Energy Regulatory
  Commission, or before a court reviewing proceedings before the
  federal commission, related to:
               (1)  the relationship of an electric utility subject to
  this subchapter to a power region, regional transmission
  organization, or independent system operator; or
               (2)  the approval of an agreement among the electric
  utility and the electric utility's affiliates concerning the
  coordination of the operations of the electric utility and the
  electric utility's affiliates.
         (b)  Assistance for which a consultant, accountant, auditor,
  engineer, or attorney may be engaged under Subsection (a) may
  include:
               (1)  conducting a study;
               (2)  conducting an investigation;
               (3)  presenting evidence;
               (4)  advising the commission; or
               (5)  representing the commission.
         (c)  The electric utility shall reimburse the commission for
  the reasonable costs of the services of a person engaged under
  Subsection (a). The total amount of reimbursement required under
  this subsection may not exceed $1.5 million in a 12-month period.
         (d)  The commission shall allow the electric utility to
  recover both the total amount the electric utility paid to
  reimburse the commission under Subsection (c) and the carrying
  charges for that reimbursement through a rider established annually
  to recover the reimbursements paid and carrying charges incurred
  during the preceding calendar year.
         (e)  The commission shall consult the attorney general
  before the commission engages a consultant, accountant, auditor, or
  engineer under Subsection (a). The engagement of an attorney under
  Subsection (a) is subject to the approval of the attorney general
  under Section 402.0212, Government Code.
         (f)  This section expires December 31, 2017.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
  a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
  provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
  Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
  Act takes effect September 1, 2011.
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