By: Parker S.B. No. 1404
(In the Senate - Filed March 1, 2023; March 16, 2023, read
first time and referred to Committee on Business & Commerce;
April 17, 2023, reported adversely, with favorable Committee
Substitute by the following vote: Yeas 10, Nays 0; April 17, 2023,
sent to printer.)
Click here to see the committee vote
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR S.B. No. 1404 By: King
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the creation of a work group to study the benefits of
coal-to-nuclear electric generating facility conversion.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. DEFINITION. In this Act, "work group" means the
coal-to-nuclear conversion work group established under Section 2
of this Act.
SECTION 2. WORK GROUP FORMATION AND ADMINISTRATION. (a)
The coal-to-nuclear conversion work group is established and
composed of 16 members with:
(1) one member of the senate appointed by the
lieutenant governor;
(2) one member of the house of representatives
appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives;
(3) two members representing institutions of higher
education appointed by the governor;
(4) one ex officio member representing the Public
Utility Commission of Texas appointed by the governor;
(5) one ex officio member representing the independent
organization certified under Section 39.151, Utilities Code, for
the ERCOT power region appointed by the governor; and
(6) 10 members of the public who have knowledge and
experience in nuclear engineering, nuclear safety, energy policy,
or economic analysis, and who are appointed as follows:
(A) five members appointed by the speaker of the
house of representatives; and
(B) five members appointed by the lieutenant
governor.
(b) The governor shall designate a member of the work group
appointed under Subsection (a)(3) of this section to serve as chair
of the work group. The members of the work group appointed under
Subsections (a)(1) and (2) of this section shall serve as co-vice
chairs of the work group.
(c) The work group shall meet at the call of its chair.
(d) The work group may form committees for the efficient
operation of the work group, at the discretion of the chair of the
work group. The chair of the work group shall appoint the presiding
officer of each committee. The presiding officer of a committee may
invite other members of the work group to serve on the committee. A
committee may consult with subject matter experts.
(e) The work group may adopt rules, procedures, and policies
as necessary or convenient to administer this Act and fulfill the
responsibilities of the work group.
(f) A member of the work group may not receive compensation
for serving on the work group but is entitled to reimbursement for
expenses incurred by the member in the performance of official
duties as a member of the work group as provided by the General
Appropriations Act.
(g) The senate and the house of representatives shall
provide administrative support to the work group as necessary to
implement this Act.
SECTION 3. WORK GROUP DUTIES. (a) The work group shall:
(1) study the benefits of converting sites in this
state with coal-fired electric generating facilities to use nuclear
electric generating facilities instead; and
(2) develop a model plan for implementing
coal-to-nuclear conversion to provide affordable and sustainable
power in this state.
(b) In developing the model plan, the work group shall:
(1) conduct a comprehensive review of research and
information on coal-to-nuclear conversion and related issues;
(2) engage in stakeholder outreach to gather feedback
and input from the public, industry, state agencies, and relevant
organizations;
(3) identify the potential benefits of
coal-to-nuclear conversion, including cost-effectiveness, energy
security, and reduced environmental impact;
(4) assess the economic viability of coal-to-nuclear
conversion and provide recommendations on financing and
cost-effectiveness; and
(5) consider the regulatory framework and
requirements for coal-to-nuclear conversion and provide
recommendations for streamlining the conversion process.
(c) Not later than October 31, 2024, the work group shall
submit to each standing committee of the senate and house of
representatives with oversight jurisdiction over environmental
concerns or electric utilities a report that includes the model
plan developed under this section and any findings or
recommendations made by a committee formed under Section 2(d) of
this Act.
SECTION 4. APPOINTMENTS. As soon as practicable, but not
later than October 1, 2023, the governor, lieutenant governor, and
speaker of the house of representatives shall appoint the members
of the work group.
SECTION 5. INITIAL MEETING. Not later than November 1,
2023, the work group shall hold its initial meeting and select the
chair of the work group.
SECTION 6. EXPIRATION. This Act expires and the work group
is abolished June 30, 2025.
SECTION 7. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act takes effect September
1, 2023.
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