86R10119 BRG-F
By: Murphy H.B. No. 1768
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the consideration of employee compensation and benefits
in establishing the rates of electric and gas utilities.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 36, Utilities Code, is
amended by adding Section 36.066 to read as follows:
Sec. 36.066. CONSIDERATION OF COMPENSATION AND BENEFIT
EXPENSES. (a) In this section, "employee compensation and
benefits" includes base salaries, wages, incentive compensation,
and benefits. The term does not include pension and other
postemployment benefits.
(b) When establishing an electric utility's rates, the
regulatory authority shall presume that employee compensation and
benefits expenses are reasonable and necessary if the expenses are
consistent with recent market compensation studies.
SECTION 2. Subchapter B, Chapter 104, Utilities Code, is
amended by adding Section 104.060 to read as follows:
Sec. 104.060. CONSIDERATION OF COMPENSATION AND BENEFIT
EXPENSES. (a) In this section, "employee compensation and
benefits" includes base salaries, wages, incentive compensation,
and benefits. The term does not include pension and other
postemployment benefits.
(b) When establishing a gas utility's rates, the regulatory
authority shall presume that employee compensation and benefits
expenses are reasonable and necessary if the expenses are
consistent with recent market compensation studies.
SECTION 3. (a) Sections 36.066 and 104.060, Utilities Code,
as added by this Act, apply only to a proceeding for the
establishment of rates for which the regulatory authority has not
issued a final order or decision before the effective date of this
Act.
(b) A proceeding for which the regulatory authority has
issued a final order or decision before the effective date of this
Act is governed by the law in effect immediately before that date,
and that law is continued in effect for that purpose.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2019.