By: Lucio S.B. No. 937
(In the Senate - Filed February 24, 2011; March 17, 2011,
read first time and referred to Committee on Business and Commerce;
March 31, 2011, reported adversely, with favorable Committee
Substitute by the following vote: Yeas 9, Nays 0; March 31, 2011,
sent to printer.)
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR S.B. No. 937 By: Lucio
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to priorities for restoration of electric service
following an extended power outage.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter D, Chapter 38, Utilities Code, is
amended by adding Section 38.072 to read as follows:
Sec. 38.072. PRIORITIES FOR POWER RESTORATION TO CERTAIN
MEDICAL FACILITIES. (a) In this section:
(1) "Assisted living facility" has the meaning
assigned by Section 247.002, Health and Safety Code.
(2) "Extended power outage" has the meaning assigned
by Section 13.1395, Water Code.
(3) "Hospice services" has the meaning assigned by
Section 142.001, Health and Safety Code.
(4) "Nursing facility" has the meaning assigned by
Section 242.301, Health and Safety Code.
(b) The commission by rule shall require an electric utility
to give to the following the same priority that it gives to a
hospital in the utility's emergency operations plan for restoring
power after an extended power outage:
(1) a nursing facility;
(2) an assisted living facility; and
(3) a facility that provides hospice services.
(c) A municipally owned utility shall report the emergency
operations plan for restoring power to a facility listed in
Subsection (b) to the municipality's governing body or the body
vested with the power to manage and operate the municipally owned
utility.
(d) An electric cooperative shall report the emergency
operations plan for restoring power to a facility listed in
Subsection (b) to the board of directors of the electric
cooperative.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2011.
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