87R12161 CXP-D
By: Hinojosa H.B. No. 3473
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the composition of the Public Utility Commission of
Texas.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 12.051, Utilities Code, is amended by
amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsections (a-1) and (a-2) to
read as follows:
(a) The commission is composed of five [three]
commissioners appointed by the governor.
(a-1) The chair of the legislative caucus whose political
party has the most members in the house of representatives shall
submit to the governor a list of names of at least five persons
eligible for appointment as commissioner. The governor shall
appoint three commissioners from the list.
(a-2) The chair of the legislative caucus whose political
party has the second most members in the house of representatives
shall submit to the governor a list of names of at least five
persons eligible for appointment as commissioner. The governor
shall appoint two commissioners from the list [with the advice and
consent of the senate].
SECTION 2. The governor shall promptly appoint five
commissioners to the Public Utility Commission of Texas in
accordance with Section 12.051, Utilities Code, as amended by this
Act. Notwithstanding Section 12.051(c), Utilities Code, in making
the initial appointments under that section, the governor shall
designate one commissioner to a term expiring September 1, 2023,
two commissioners to a term expiring September 1, 2025, and two
commissioners to a term expiring September 1, 2027. A person who
is serving as a commissioner of the Public Utility Commission of
Texas immediately before the effective date of this Act may
continue to serve until the person's successor is appointed and
qualifies to serve.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.