83R1750 DDT-F
By: Harless H.B. No. 1149
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the establishment of integrated rate areas subject to
the original jurisdiction of the Railroad Commission of Texas.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 102.001, Utilities Code, is amended by
amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsections (c) and (d) to read
as follows:
(a) The railroad commission has exclusive original
jurisdiction over the rates and services of a gas utility:
(1) that distributes natural gas or synthetic natural
gas in:
(A) areas outside a municipality; [and]
(B) areas inside a municipality that surrenders
its jurisdiction to the railroad commission under Section 103.003;
and
(C) an integrated rate area established under
Subsection (c); and
(2) that transmits, transports, delivers, or sells
natural gas or synthetic natural gas to a gas utility that
distributes the gas to the public.
(c) A gas utility may identify and establish an integrated
rate area that includes one or more municipalities and related
unincorporated areas for which the railroad commission has
exclusive original jurisdiction to establish the gas utility's
rates on an area-wide basis. The integrated rate area is
established on the date the gas utility files notice of the area's
establishment with the railroad commission. The notice must define
the boundaries of the integrated rate area and identify each
municipality included in the area. The gas utility must deliver a
copy of the notice to each municipality included in the area.
(d) A notice of intent to increase rates filed under Section
104.103 does not constitute notice under Subsection (c).
SECTION 2. Section 103.001, Utilities Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 103.001. MUNICIPAL JURISDICTION. To provide fair,
just, and reasonable rates and adequate and efficient services, the
governing body of a municipality has exclusive original
jurisdiction over the rates, operations, and services of a gas
utility within the municipality, subject to the limitations imposed
by this subtitle, unless:
(1) the municipality surrenders its jurisdiction to
the railroad commission under Section 103.003; or
(2) the municipality is included in an integrated rate
area established under Section 102.001(c).
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2013.