87R12284 BRG-D
By: Raymond H.B. No. 4193
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the establishment of an office of the inspector general
at the Public Utility Commission of Texas.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 12, Utilities Code, is amended by adding
Subchapter G to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER G. OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL
Sec. 12.301. OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL. (a) The
office of the inspector general is an office within the commission.
(b) The commission shall appoint an inspector general to
serve as director of the office of the inspector general. The
inspector general serves until removed by the commission.
(c) The commission shall provide staff, administrative
resources, and support services as necessary to the office of the
inspector general.
Sec. 12.302. POWERS AND DUTIES. (a) The office of the
inspector general is responsible for the investigation,
prevention, and detection of fraud, waste, and abuse at the
commission and entities over which the commission exercises
oversight, including the independent organization certified under
Section 39.151 for the ERCOT power region.
(b) The office of the inspector general has all of the
powers necessary or appropriate to carry out the office's
responsibilities and functions under this subchapter and other law.
(c) The inspection or disclosure of a record, document, or
file for purposes of an investigation under this subchapter is not a
voluntary disclosure under Section 552.007, Government Code. A
record, document, or file made available to the office for purposes
of an investigation under this subchapter is not subject to public
disclosure by the office.
Sec. 12.303. COOPERATION WITH OTHER ENTITIES. The office
of the inspector general may refer matters for further civil and
administrative action to appropriate administrative agencies,
including the attorney general.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.