#86th texas legislative session bills full#

Governor Greg Abbot signed the bill on May 14. HB 1595, relating to the deployment of advanced metering and meter information networks in certain areas outside ERCOT, is one of several bills intended to encourage the roll out of advanced meter networks by non-ERCOT utilities.The governor signed the legislation on May 16.

#86th texas legislative session bills full#

The full House gave its final approval on May 7. The Senate adopted SB 1938 April 17 and the House Committee on State Affairs adopted it on April 28. This legislation has drawn opposition from the Trump administration. That is, the legislation favors incumbent monopolies like Oncor and CenterPoint over transmission-only companies. Dade Phelan are related “to certificates of convenience and necessity for the construction of transmission facilities.” These companion bills would limit the ability of non-incumbent utilities to own and operate transmission facilities. Kelly Hancock and House Bill 3995 by Rep. The legislation went to the governor on May 21 and he signed it on June 4. This is in contrast to current rules, in which the PUC reviews much smaller mergers. Under this bill, a power generation company merging with another power generation company within ERCOT must receive PUC authorization if it is projected that the newly merged company will own or control more than 10 percent of installed generation capacity within ERCOT. Kelly Hancock, “relat to mergers and consolidations of power generation companies,” and it follows a recommendation from the PUC’s Scope of Competition Report. However, it died before getting to the full House. The Senate adopted SB 1941 on April 17, and the House Committee on State Affairs approved it on May 14. This legislation stems from a recommendation by the PUC that lately has contended with thorny requests from regulated transmission utilities seeking permission to operate utility-scale batteries. This bill would allow transmission and distribution utilities to enter into an agreement with generators to provide power from energy storage facilities. Transmission Utilities and ERCOT Generation Both chambers approved this bill (including Senate amendments), and it went to the governor on May 25. Kelly Hancock, “relat to cybersecurity monitor for certain electric utilities,” and allows the PUC to create a new “cybersecurity monitor.” This monitor will manage a comprehensive cybersecurity outreach program for monitored utilities meet regularly with monitored utilities to discuss emerging threats, best business practices, and training opportunities review self-assessments by monitored utilities of cybersecurity efforts research and develop best business practices regarding cybersecurity and report to the PUC on monitored utility cybersecurity preparedness. HB 1408 died without receiving a hearing. HB 1408 has drawn fire from the consumer watchdog for The Dallas Morning News, who has noted that the bill would effectively kill the PowerToChoose website that over the years has benefited consumers. This legislation would bar the state from operating “a website that lists retail electric service plans or providers for the purpose of enabling or assisting a customer’s selection of a retail electric service plan.” This describes a key function of, the state-sponsored website for electricity shopping. HB 864 went on May 29 and he signed it on June 14. HB 866 went to the governor on May 22 and he signed it on June 2. HB 866 relates to the replacement of certain gas pipelines with plastic pipes. HB 864 relates to reporting requirements for pipeline incidents. Rafael Anchia in response to a 2018 gas explosion that killed a 12-year-old girl in Dallas. These two bills are among a dozen or so filed by Rep. The House on May 24 concurred with Senate amendments and the legislation went to the governor on May 26.

Our analysis shows this legislation, if adopted, could lead to higher-than-necessary utility rates and potentially undermine reliability.

House Bill 1767 would direct the Railroad Commission to presume the cost of employee compensation and benefits are reasonable for rate-setting purposes if those expenses are consistent with recent market compensation studies.

Unless otherwise specified, inclusion on this list implies neither support or opposition by TCAP. Here is a quick review of some of the bills on our watch list with their final disposition marked in RED. We watched the session closely, especially with an eye toward bills that can affect the affordability of electric and gas service. The Texas Legislature adjourned sine die on May 27. The 2019 Legislative Session adjourned sine die on May 27.