By: Walle, Lujan H.B. No. 1846
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the establishment of the Electric Truck Advisory
Council.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 201, Transportation Code, is amended by
adding Subchapter H-2 to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER H-2. ELECTRIC TRUCK ADVISORY COUNCIL
Sec. 201.681. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:
(1) "Council" means the Electric Truck Advisory
Council established by this subchapter.
(2) "Electric truck" includes any electric vehicle
with a gross vehicle weight rating of 8,501 pounds or more.
Sec. 201.682. ESTABLISHMENT; COMPOSITION. (a) The
Electric Truck Advisory Council is established.
(b) Subject to Subsection (c), the council is composed of:
(1) at least one representative appointed by each of
the following agencies and entities:
(A) the governor's office;
(B) the department;
(C) the Public Utility Commission of Texas;
(D) the Electric Reliability Council of Texas;
(E) the Texas Commission on Environmental
Quality;
(F) the Texas Department of Licensing and
Regulation; and
(G) the Texas A&M Transportation Institute;
(2) at least two representatives from privately owned
utilities providing electric service, appointed by the director;
(3) at least one representative from a publicly owned
utility providing electric service, appointed by the director;
(4) at least one representative from the refueling
industry with expertise in serving interstate freight
transportation, appointed by the director; and
(5) at least three members from the private sector,
appointed by the director.
(c) The director shall determine the number of
representatives that each appointing authority under Subsection
(b) may appoint to serve on the council.
(d) A council member serves at the pleasure of the
appointing authority.
Sec. 201.683. TERMS; VACANCY. (a) Council members serve
six-year terms.
(b) A vacancy on the council shall be filled in the same
manner as the original appointment. A council member appointed to
fill a vacancy on the council shall serve the remainder of the
unexpired term.
Sec. 201.684. PRESIDING OFFICER. The representative of the
department appointed under Section 201.682(b)(1) shall serve as the
presiding officer.
Sec. 201.685. MEETINGS. The council shall meet at least
once a month or more frequently at the call of the presiding
officer.
Sec. 201.686. ADMINISTRATIVE ATTACHMENT; FUNDING. (a) The
council is administratively attached to the department.
(b) The council shall be funded using existing funds of the
department.
Sec. 201.687. GENERAL POWERS AND DUTIES. The council
shall:
(1) provide guidance on policies and incentives that
encourage the adoption of electric trucks and the proliferation of
required charging infrastructure;
(2) provide guidance on regulatory issues specific to
electric trucks to ensure that electric trucks maintain safety and
performance standards;
(3) serve as a forum for promoting technological
advancements in battery technology, electric drivetrains,
autonomous driving features, and other innovations;
(4) 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; and
(5) lead initiatives to educate stakeholders,
including fleet operators, logistics companies, utilities, and
policymakers, regarding electric trucks.
Sec. 201.688. STATEWIDE STRATEGIC PLAN AND RELATED
IMPLEMENTATION PLANS. (a) The council shall develop a strategic
plan for the statewide implementation of electric truck charging
infrastructure. The plan must:
(1) 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;
(2) specify each agency subject to the plan; and
(3) make recommendations for each agency subject to
the plan relating to the agency's role and responsibilities under
the plan.
(b) The council shall submit the strategic plan to the
administrative head of each agency subject to the plan.
(c) Not later than the 90th day after receiving the
strategic plan, the administrative head of each agency subject to
the plan shall 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.
An implementation plan must include a justification for any
recommendation the agency declines to implement.
Sec. 201.689. APPLICATION OF SUNSET ACT. The council is
subject to Chapter 325, Government Code (Texas Sunset Act). The
council shall be reviewed during the period in which the department
is reviewed under Section 201.204. Unless continued in existence
as provided by Chapter 325, Government Code, the council is
abolished and this subchapter expires on the date on which the
department is subject to abolishment under that section.
Sec. 201.690. APPLICATION OF OTHER LAW. Chapter 2110,
Government Code, does not apply to the composition or duration of
the council or to the designation of the council's presiding
officer.
SECTION 2. (a) Not later than January 31, 2026, the
appropriate appointing authorities shall appoint the members of the
Electric Truck Advisory Council as required by Section 201.682,
Transportation Code, as added by this Act.
(b) Not later than March 31, 2026, the Electric Truck
Advisory Council established under Subchapter H-2, Transportation
Code, as added by this Act, shall hold its initial meeting.
(c) Not later than March 1, 2027, the Electric Truck
Advisory Council shall submit the strategic plan required under
Section 201.688, Transportation Code, as added by this Act.
SECTION 3. 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, 2025.