Relating to the functions of the Public Utility Commission of Texas in relation to the economic regulation of water and sewer service.
Impact
The proposed amendments to the law will solidify the PUC's regulatory framework, especially during emergencies. This includes stipulations that allow the PUC to compel utility providers to maintain service or establish interconnections with neighboring services in the case of imminent service failures. Additionally, municipally owned utilities are required to disclose information about ratepayers living outside municipal boundaries, which could have implications for transparency and fairness in rate-setting.
Summary
House Bill 3953 aims to refine the authority of the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC) concerning the economic regulation of water and sewer services. The bill proposes modifications to the Water Code that enhance the PUC's capacity to manage situations where utilities may cease operations, ensuring continuous service delivery to customers. This includes provisions that allow the PUC to issue emergency orders without the necessity of a formal hearing in urgent cases, thereby expediting response times for service disruptions.
Contention
Some points of contention arise from the potential implications of the bill on local governance and utility management. Proponents argue that the PUC needs greater authority to manage emergencies effectively and protect consumers, particularly in the wake of utility failures or service discontinuity. Opponents may express concerns about the expansion of state control over local utility matters and the transparency regarding ratepayer data, arguing that this could undermine local oversight and complicate utility governance.
Relating to the transfer of functions relating to the economic regulation of water and sewer service from the Public Utility Commission of Texas and the Office of Public Utility Counsel to the Water Public Utility Commission and the Office of Water Public Utility Counsel; creating a criminal offense.
Relating to the continuation and functions of the Public Utility Commission of Texas and the Office of Public Utility Counsel, and the functions of the independent organization certified for the ERCOT power region.
Relating to the continuation and functions of the Public Utility Commission of Texas and the Office of Public Utility Counsel, and the functions of the independent organization certified for the ERCOT power region; increasing an administrative penalty.
Relating to the funding of projects by the Public Utility Commission of Texas to promote the reliability and resiliency of the power grid in this state; authorizing the issuance of revenue bonds.
Relating to methods for the recovery of system restoration costs incurred by electric utilities following hurricanes, tropical storms, ice or snow storms, floods, and other weather-related events and natural disasters.
Relating to methods for the recovery of system restoration costs incurred by electric utilities following hurricanes, tropical storms, ice or snow storms, floods, and other weather-related events and natural disasters.
Relating to the response and resilience of certain electricity service providers to major weather-related events or other natural disasters; granting authority to issue bonds.