Texas House Bill HB1766

Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Caption

Relating to the consideration of employee compensation and benefits in establishing the rates of electric utilities.

Impact

If enacted, HB1766 will influence the regulatory landscape for electric utilities in Texas by formalizing the inclusion of employee compensation and benefits in the rate-setting process. This change is particularly relevant in light of ongoing discussions regarding the rising costs associated with utility services and the financial pressures faced by both utility providers and consumers. Having such expenses presumed as reasonable could lead to higher rates for consumers, as electric utilities may have greater leeway to justify increased costs based on staffing.

Summary

House Bill 1766 aims to amend the Utilities Code regarding the establishment of rates for electric utilities by taking into consideration employee compensation and benefits. This includes provisions for base salaries, wages, and incentive compensation, while excluding pensions and post-employment benefits. The bill establishes a presumption that expenses related to employee compensation and benefits are reasonable and necessary, contingent on consistency with recent market compensation studies. This could potentially have significant implications for how utilities set their rates and adjust them based on staffing costs.

Contention

Aswith many legislative changes, there are points of contention surrounding HB1766. Advocates for the bill may argue that recognizing employee compensation in rate establishment is a necessary measure to ensure that utilities can attract and retain qualified staff, which is essential for consistent service delivery. However, opponents might raise concerns about the implications for consumer costs and the fairness of allowing utilities broader scope in justifying expenses, particularly when utility rates are already a contentious subject among consumers. The potential for increasing rates based on presumed compensation could foster debates over the transparency and accountability of utility expenses.