84R12798 GRM-F
By: Keffer H.B. No. 3749
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the recovery of certain natural gas distribution
utility ratemaking proceeding expenses; adding provisions subject
to a criminal penalty.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 103.021, Utilities Code, is amended by
adding Subsection (d) to read as follows:
(d) In establishing a gas utility's rates under this
subchapter, a municipality shall allow a gas utility to recover
through its rates on a systemwide basis only, as an operating
expense, the gas utility's reasonable and necessary expenses of
participating in a proceeding under this subtitle.
SECTION 2. Section 103.022(b), Utilities Code, is amended
to read as follows:
(b) The gas utility in the ratemaking proceeding shall
reimburse the governing body of the municipality for the reasonable
cost of the services of a person engaged under Subsection (a) to the
extent the applicable regulatory authority determines reasonable.
For purposes of Section 103.021 or 104.057, the amount paid as
reimbursement under this subsection is a reasonable and necessary
expense of participating in a proceeding under this subtitle.
SECTION 3. Section 104.057, Utilities Code, is amended by
adding Subsection (c) to read as follows:
(c) In establishing a gas utility's rates, the regulatory
authority shall allow the gas utility to recover through its rates
on a systemwide basis only, as an operating expense, the gas
utility's reasonable and necessary expenses of participating in a
proceeding under this subtitle.
SECTION 4. The change in law made by this Act applies only
to a rate proceeding in which the initial hearing is held on or
after the effective date of this Act. A proceeding in which the
initial hearing is held before that date is governed by the law in
effect immediately before the effective date of this Act, and that
law is continued in effect for that purpose.
SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.