By: Parker	H.B. No. 3552

	A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
	AN ACT
	relating to enhancing the security of the electric grid, making an
	appropriation.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
	SECTION 1.  Subchapter Z, Chapter 39, Utilities Code, is
	amended by adding Section 39.918 to read as follows:
	Sec. 39.918.  ELECTRIC GRID SECURITY GRANT PROGRAM.
	(a)  The commission shall establish a grant program to
	increase the security of electric grid in the ERCOT. Eligible
	expenses of the program include:
	(1)  audits related to security of the electric grid
	and associated computer systems and networks conducted by
	independent security experts for transmission and distribution
	utilities, independent organizations certified by the commission
	under Section 39.151, electric cooperatives, river authorities,
	and municipally owned utilities operating in the ERCOT power
	region;
	(2)  reimbursement of investments or expenses made by
	transmission and distribution utilities, independent organizations
	certified by the commission under Section 39.151, electric
	cooperatives, river authorities, and municipally owned utilities
	operating in the ERCOT power region to implement measures
	recommended by the Electric Grid Security Advisory Committee or to
	implement recommendations made in an audit conducted pursuant to
	paragraph (1) of this subsection;
	(3)  expenses incurred by the Electric Grid Security
	Advisory Committee related to the retention of consultants or other
	experts determined to be necessary to assist the committee in
	performing its duties;
	(4)  reimbursement to a member of the Electric Grid
	Security Advisory Committee for travel expenses; and
	(5)  reimbursement of costs incurred by the commission
	in administering this section;
	(b)  Entities other than the commission seeking
	reimbursement from the grant program shall provide adequate
	documentation to the Electric Grid Security Advisory Committee to
	demonstrate the eligibility of the expense for reimbursement under
	this section. The commission shall authorize reimbursement of
	eligible expenses upon receipt of a certification from the Electric
	Grid Security Advisory Committee that the expenditures are eligible
	under this section within 5 business days of receipt of a valid
	certification.
	(c)  The commission shall quarterly report the total amount
	of reimbursement by the categories listed in subsection (a) to the
	governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house of
	representatives.
	(d)  Nothing in this section is intended to prevent
	transmission and distribution utilities, independent organizations
	certified by the commission under Section 39.151, electric
	cooperatives, river authorities, and municipally owned utilities
	from continuing their ongoing efforts to secure electric facilities
	from physical and cyber security threats, including incurring
	reasonable and necessary expenditures related to those efforts and
	seeking recovery as authorized by this title.
	(e)  The Public Utility Commission of Texas may conduct a
	closed meeting under Chapter 551, Government Code to discuss the
	findings of the Electric Grid Security Advisory Committee, programs
	required by this section, and other issues related to the security
	of the electric grid and associated computer system and networks.
	SECTION 2.  In addition to other appropriations made by the
	84th Legislature, Regular Session, 2015, the amount of $25 million
	is appropriated from the general revenue fund to the Public Utility
	Commission for the purposes of Section 39.918, Utilities Code, as
	added by this Act for the period beginning on the effective date of
	this Act and ending August 31, 2017.
	SECTION 3.  The enactment of this act is contingent upon the
	passage of House Bill 2289 of the 84th Legislature, Regular
	Session, 2015, or similar legislation that creates the Electric
	Grid Security Advisory Committee. If neither House Bill 2289 or
	similar legislation is enacted by the 84th Legislature, then this
	act does not take effect.
	SECTION 4.  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, 2015.