89R23391 SCR-D By: Darby H.B. No. 3069 Substitute the following for H.B. No. 3069: By: King C.S.H.B. No. 3069 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to the approval of a certificate of convenience and necessity for certain transmission projects. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. It is the intent of the legislature that the economic transmission planning required by this Act provides cost savings for consumers. SECTION 2. Section 37.056, Utilities Code, is amended by adding Subsections (d-1) and (d-2) to read as follows: (d-1) In addition to the criteria described by Subsections (c) and (d), the commission by rule shall establish supplemental multi-decade transmission planning criteria for granting a certificate for a transmission project that serves the ERCOT power region and that is not necessary to meet state or federal reliability standards. The criteria must provide for an evaluation of potential savings for customers using methods such as discount rates, hurdle rates, averaging costs over a reasonable number of years, or scenario planning or any other method the commission considers appropriate. The commission shall include with the commission's decision on an application for a certificate to which this subsection applies the commission's findings on the multi-decade transmission planning criteria. (d-2) The commission may use an evaluation of a proposed transmission project conducted by the independent organization certified under Section 39.151 for the ERCOT power region using the criteria developed under Subsection (d) or (d-1) when considering whether to grant a certificate for a transmission project. SECTION 3. The Public Utility Commission of Texas shall adopt any rules necessary to implement the changes in law made by Section 37.056(d-1), Utilities Code, as added by this Act, not later than September 1, 2026. SECTION 4. The Public Utility Commission of Texas shall direct the independent organization certified for the ERCOT power region under Section 39.151, Utilities Code, to take any action necessary for the implementation of the changes in law made by this Act not later than September 1, 2026. SECTION 5. The changes in law made by this Act apply only to a proceeding affecting a certificate of public convenience and necessity that commences on or after September 1, 2026. A proceeding affecting a certificate of public convenience and necessity that commenced before that date is governed by the law in effect on the date the proceeding is commenced, and that law is continued in effect for that purpose. SECTION 6. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.