S.B. No. 937
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) The rules adopted by the commission under Subsection (b)
must allow an electric utility to exercise the electric utility's
discretion to prioritize power restoration for a facility after an
extended power outage in accordance with the facility's needs and
with the characteristics of the geographic area in which power must
be restored.
(d) 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.
(e) 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.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 937 passed the Senate on
April 7, 2011, by the following vote: Yeas 29, Nays 2.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 937 passed the House on
May 25, 2011, by the following vote: Yeas 147, Nays 0, one
present not voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
Approved:
______________________________
Date
______________________________
Governor