BILL ANALYSIS C.S.H.B. 1846 By: Walle State Affairs Committee Report (Substituted) BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The bill author has informed the committee of the need for the state to keep pace with the expansion of zero-emission vehicles in the industrial and commercial space in order to remain a driver for innovation and opportunity. The 88th Texas Legislature established a task force through the budget process to create a report with policy recommendations to support charging infrastructure for medium-duty and heavy-duty vehicles. The task force, which was comprised of representatives from several state agencies and certain stakeholder groups, issued a number of recommendations to provide guidance for Texas legislators on how to utilize the state's competitive advantages to best support growth in that market. Two of the key recommendations from the group were to create a statewide plan for medium-duty and heavy-duty infrastructure and to establish an electric truck advisory committee to provide regular oversight and recommendations on relevant policies. C.S.H.B. 1846 seeks to implement those recommendations by establishing the Electric Truck Advisory Council, which is tasked with developing a strategic plan for the statewide implementation of electric truck charging infrastructure. CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. ANALYSIS C.S.H.B. 1846 amends the Transportation Code to establish the Electric Truck Advisory Council as an administrative attachment to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). The bill requires the council to develop a strategic plan for the statewide implementation of electric truck charging infrastructure that must do the following: identify strategic locations for electric truck charging infrastructure and the requirements for their development and construction, including high-capacity power sources, freight routes, and the ability to construct operation hubs; specify each agency subject to the plan; and make recommendations for each agency subject to the plan relating to the agency's role and responsibilities under the plan. The bill defines "electric truck" to include any electric vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of 8,501 pounds or more. C.S.H.B. 1846 requires the council to do the following: provide guidance on policies and incentives that encourage the adoption of electric trucks and the proliferation of required charging infrastructure; provide guidance on regulatory issues specific to electric trucks to ensure that electric trucks maintain safety and performance standards; serve as a forum for promoting technological advancements in battery technology, electric drivetrains, autonomous driving features, and other innovations; facilitate discussions and coordination among private entities, governmental entities, and research institutions to develop and test new electric truck technologies, share best practices, and support industry-wide adoption of those technologies and practices; lead initiatives to educate stakeholders, including fleet operators, logistics companies, utilities, and policymakers, regarding electric trucks; and submit the strategic plan to the administrative head of each agency subject to the plan not later than March 1, 2027. The bill requires each administrative head, not later than the 90th day after receiving the strategic plan, to develop and submit to the governor, the lieutenant governor, and the legislature a plan for implementing the recommendations applicable to the agency under the strategic plan, which must include a justification for any recommendation the agency declines to implement. C.S.H.B. 1846 sets out the composition of the council as follows: at least one representative appointed by each of the following agencies and entities: o the governor's office; o TxDOT, one of whom must serve as presiding officer; o the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC); o the Electric Reliability Council of Texas; o the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality; o the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation; and o the Texas A&M Transportation Institute; at least two representatives from privately owned utilities providing electric service, appointed by the executive director of the PUC; at least one representative from a publicly owned utility providing electric service, appointed by the executive director of the PUC; at least one representative from the refueling industry with expertise in serving interstate freight transportation, appointed by the executive director of TxDOT; and at least three members from the private sector, appointed by the executive director of TxDOT. The bill requires the executive director of TxDOT to determine the number of representatives that each appointing authority may appoint to serve on the council, establishes that council members serve six-year terms, and establishes that a council member serves at the pleasure of the appointing authority. The bill requires the appropriate appointing authorities to appoint the members of the council not later than January 31, 2026. The bill requires the council to meet at least once a month or more frequently at the call of the presiding officer and the initial meeting to be held not later than March 31, 2026. The bill establishes the method for filling a vacancy on the council and requires the council to be funded using existing TxDOT funds. C.S.H.B. 1846 establishes the following: the council is subject to the Texas Sunset Act and must be reviewed during the period in which TxDOT is reviewed; the council, unless continued in existence as provided by the Texas Sunset Act, is abolished and the bill's provisions expire on the date on which TxDOT is subject to abolishment; and provisions of the Government Code relating to state agency advisory committees do not apply to the composition or duration of the council or to the designation of the council's presiding officer. EFFECTIVE DATE On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2025. COMPARISON OF INTRODUCED AND SUBSTITUTE While C.S.H.B. 1846 may differ from the introduced in minor or nonsubstantive ways, the following summarizes the substantial differences between the introduced and committee substitute versions of the bill. The substitute provides for the council to include at least one representative from the refueling industry with expertise in serving interstate freight transportation who is appointed by the executive director of TxDOT, whereas the introduced did not include such a representative on the council.
BILL ANALYSIS
# BILL ANALYSIS
C.S.H.B. 1846
By: Walle
State Affairs
Committee Report (Substituted)
C.S.H.B. 1846
By: Walle
State Affairs
Committee Report (Substituted)
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The bill author has informed the committee of the need for the state to keep pace with the expansion of zero-emission vehicles in the industrial and commercial space in order to remain a driver for innovation and opportunity. The 88th Texas Legislature established a task force through the budget process to create a report with policy recommendations to support charging infrastructure for medium-duty and heavy-duty vehicles. The task force, which was comprised of representatives from several state agencies and certain stakeholder groups, issued a number of recommendations to provide guidance for Texas legislators on how to utilize the state's competitive advantages to best support growth in that market. Two of the key recommendations from the group were to create a statewide plan for medium-duty and heavy-duty infrastructure and to establish an electric truck advisory committee to provide regular oversight and recommendations on relevant policies. C.S.H.B. 1846 seeks to implement those recommendations by establishing the Electric Truck Advisory Council, which is tasked with developing a strategic plan for the statewide implementation of electric truck charging infrastructure.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.
ANALYSIS C.S.H.B. 1846 amends the Transportation Code to establish the Electric Truck Advisory Council as an administrative attachment to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). The bill requires the council to develop a strategic plan for the statewide implementation of electric truck charging infrastructure that must do the following: identify strategic locations for electric truck charging infrastructure and the requirements for their development and construction, including high-capacity power sources, freight routes, and the ability to construct operation hubs; specify each agency subject to the plan; and make recommendations for each agency subject to the plan relating to the agency's role and responsibilities under the plan. The bill defines "electric truck" to include any electric vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of 8,501 pounds or more. C.S.H.B. 1846 requires the council to do the following: provide guidance on policies and incentives that encourage the adoption of electric trucks and the proliferation of required charging infrastructure; provide guidance on regulatory issues specific to electric trucks to ensure that electric trucks maintain safety and performance standards; serve as a forum for promoting technological advancements in battery technology, electric drivetrains, autonomous driving features, and other innovations; facilitate discussions and coordination among private entities, governmental entities, and research institutions to develop and test new electric truck technologies, share best practices, and support industry-wide adoption of those technologies and practices; lead initiatives to educate stakeholders, including fleet operators, logistics companies, utilities, and policymakers, regarding electric trucks; and submit the strategic plan to the administrative head of each agency subject to the plan not later than March 1, 2027. The bill requires each administrative head, not later than the 90th day after receiving the strategic plan, to develop and submit to the governor, the lieutenant governor, and the legislature a plan for implementing the recommendations applicable to the agency under the strategic plan, which must include a justification for any recommendation the agency declines to implement. C.S.H.B. 1846 sets out the composition of the council as follows: at least one representative appointed by each of the following agencies and entities: o the governor's office; o TxDOT, one of whom must serve as presiding officer; o the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC); o the Electric Reliability Council of Texas; o the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality; o the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation; and o the Texas A&M Transportation Institute; at least two representatives from privately owned utilities providing electric service, appointed by the executive director of the PUC; at least one representative from a publicly owned utility providing electric service, appointed by the executive director of the PUC; at least one representative from the refueling industry with expertise in serving interstate freight transportation, appointed by the executive director of TxDOT; and at least three members from the private sector, appointed by the executive director of TxDOT. The bill requires the executive director of TxDOT to determine the number of representatives that each appointing authority may appoint to serve on the council, establishes that council members serve six-year terms, and establishes that a council member serves at the pleasure of the appointing authority. The bill requires the appropriate appointing authorities to appoint the members of the council not later than January 31, 2026. The bill requires the council to meet at least once a month or more frequently at the call of the presiding officer and the initial meeting to be held not later than March 31, 2026. The bill establishes the method for filling a vacancy on the council and requires the council to be funded using existing TxDOT funds. C.S.H.B. 1846 establishes the following: the council is subject to the Texas Sunset Act and must be reviewed during the period in which TxDOT is reviewed; the council, unless continued in existence as provided by the Texas Sunset Act, is abolished and the bill's provisions expire on the date on which TxDOT is subject to abolishment; and provisions of the Government Code relating to state agency advisory committees do not apply to the composition or duration of the council or to the designation of the council's presiding officer.
EFFECTIVE DATE On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2025.
COMPARISON OF INTRODUCED AND SUBSTITUTE While C.S.H.B. 1846 may differ from the introduced in minor or nonsubstantive ways, the following summarizes the substantial differences between the introduced and committee substitute versions of the bill. The substitute provides for the council to include at least one representative from the refueling industry with expertise in serving interstate freight transportation who is appointed by the executive director of TxDOT, whereas the introduced did not include such a representative on the council.
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
The bill author has informed the committee of the need for the state to keep pace with the expansion of zero-emission vehicles in the industrial and commercial space in order to remain a driver for innovation and opportunity. The 88th Texas Legislature established a task force through the budget process to create a report with policy recommendations to support charging infrastructure for medium-duty and heavy-duty vehicles. The task force, which was comprised of representatives from several state agencies and certain stakeholder groups, issued a number of recommendations to provide guidance for Texas legislators on how to utilize the state's competitive advantages to best support growth in that market. Two of the key recommendations from the group were to create a statewide plan for medium-duty and heavy-duty infrastructure and to establish an electric truck advisory committee to provide regular oversight and recommendations on relevant policies. C.S.H.B. 1846 seeks to implement those recommendations by establishing the Electric Truck Advisory Council, which is tasked with developing a strategic plan for the statewide implementation of electric truck charging infrastructure.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT
It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.
ANALYSIS
C.S.H.B. 1846 amends the Transportation Code to establish the Electric Truck Advisory Council as an administrative attachment to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). The bill requires the council to develop a strategic plan for the statewide implementation of electric truck charging infrastructure that must do the following:
identify strategic locations for electric truck charging infrastructure and the requirements for their development and construction, including high-capacity power sources, freight routes, and the ability to construct operation hubs;
specify each agency subject to the plan; and
make recommendations for each agency subject to the plan relating to the agency's role and responsibilities under the plan.
The bill defines "electric truck" to include any electric vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of 8,501 pounds or more.
C.S.H.B. 1846 requires the council to do the following:
provide guidance on policies and incentives that encourage the adoption of electric trucks and the proliferation of required charging infrastructure;
provide guidance on regulatory issues specific to electric trucks to ensure that electric trucks maintain safety and performance standards;
serve as a forum for promoting technological advancements in battery technology, electric drivetrains, autonomous driving features, and other innovations;
facilitate discussions and coordination among private entities, governmental entities, and research institutions to develop and test new electric truck technologies, share best practices, and support industry-wide adoption of those technologies and practices;
lead initiatives to educate stakeholders, including fleet operators, logistics companies, utilities, and policymakers, regarding electric trucks; and
submit the strategic plan to the administrative head of each agency subject to the plan not later than March 1, 2027.
The bill requires each administrative head, not later than the 90th day after receiving the strategic plan, to develop and submit to the governor, the lieutenant governor, and the legislature a plan for implementing the recommendations applicable to the agency under the strategic plan, which must include a justification for any recommendation the agency declines to implement.
C.S.H.B. 1846 sets out the composition of the council as follows:
at least one representative appointed by each of the following agencies and entities:
o the governor's office;
o TxDOT, one of whom must serve as presiding officer;
o the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC);
o the Electric Reliability Council of Texas;
o the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality;
o the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation; and
o the Texas A&M Transportation Institute;
at least two representatives from privately owned utilities providing electric service, appointed by the executive director of the PUC;
at least one representative from a publicly owned utility providing electric service, appointed by the executive director of the PUC;
at least one representative from the refueling industry with expertise in serving interstate freight transportation, appointed by the executive director of TxDOT; and
at least three members from the private sector, appointed by the executive director of TxDOT.
The bill requires the executive director of TxDOT to determine the number of representatives that each appointing authority may appoint to serve on the council, establishes that council members serve six-year terms, and establishes that a council member serves at the pleasure of the appointing authority. The bill requires the appropriate appointing authorities to appoint the members of the council not later than January 31, 2026. The bill requires the council to meet at least once a month or more frequently at the call of the presiding officer and the initial meeting to be held not later than March 31, 2026. The bill establishes the method for filling a vacancy on the council and requires the council to be funded using existing TxDOT funds.
C.S.H.B. 1846 establishes the following:
the council is subject to the Texas Sunset Act and must be reviewed during the period in which TxDOT is reviewed;
the council, unless continued in existence as provided by the Texas Sunset Act, is abolished and the bill's provisions expire on the date on which TxDOT is subject to abolishment; and
provisions of the Government Code relating to state agency advisory committees do not apply to the composition or duration of the council or to the designation of the council's presiding officer.
EFFECTIVE DATE
On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2025.
COMPARISON OF INTRODUCED AND SUBSTITUTE
While C.S.H.B. 1846 may differ from the introduced in minor or nonsubstantive ways, the following summarizes the substantial differences between the introduced and committee substitute versions of the bill.
The substitute provides for the council to include at least one representative from the refueling industry with expertise in serving interstate freight transportation who is appointed by the executive director of TxDOT, whereas the introduced did not include such a representative on the council.