89R14315 CS-D
By: Hancock S.B. No. 2455
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the creation of the Texas Energy Waste Advisory
Committee.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subtitle A, Title 2, Utilities Code, is amended
by adding Chapter 18 to read as follows:
CHAPTER 18. TEXAS ENERGY WASTE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Sec. 18.001. DEFINITION. In this chapter, "committee"
means the Texas Energy Waste Advisory Committee.
Sec. 18.002. ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMITTEE. The Texas Energy
Waste Advisory Committee is created to make recommendations for
coordinating and improving state agency and interagency programs
that reduce energy waste, increase energy efficiency, and enhance
demand response programs in order to increase reliability of
electric service in the ERCOT power region in accordance with
Section 39.159.
Sec. 18.003. COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP. (a) The committee is
composed of seven ex officio members as follows:
(1) the presiding officer of the commission;
(2) the chief executive officer of the independent
organization certified under Section 39.151 for the ERCOT power
region;
(3) the comptroller;
(4) the executive director of the Texas Department of
Licensing and Regulation;
(5) the director of the Texas Department of Housing
and Community Affairs;
(6) the presiding officer of the Texas Commission on
Environmental Quality; and
(7) the commissioner of the General Land Office.
(b) An ex officio member may designate an employee of the
member's agency or office to serve in the member's place.
(c) The presiding officer of the commission or an employee
of the commission designated by the presiding officer shall serve
as the chair of the committee.
(d) The committee shall meet quarterly at the call of the
chair.
Sec. 18.004. PROGRAM EVALUATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS. To
improve the reliability of electric service in the ERCOT power
region, the committee shall solicit information from and make
recommendations to the following state agencies and organizations
regarding state programs that have the potential to reduce demand
for electricity in the ERCOT wholesale market during high risk
hours identified by the commission:
(1) the commission;
(2) the independent organization certified under
Section 39.151 for the ERCOT power region;
(3) the comptroller;
(4) the State Energy Conservation Office;
(5) the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation;
(6) the Texas Department of Housing and Community
Affairs;
(7) the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality; and
(8) the General Land Office.
Sec. 18.005. ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT. The commission shall
provide the committee with administrative support, including
meeting space and staff necessary to assist the committee in
carrying out the committee's duties under this chapter.
Sec. 18.006. CONFIDENTIALITY OF CERTAIN INFORMATION. (a)
Except as provided by Subsection (b), the committee is not subject
to Chapter 551 or 552, Government Code.
(b) Information written, produced, collected, assembled, or
maintained under law or in connection with the transaction of
official business by the committee or an officer or employee of the
committee is subject to Section 552.008, Government Code, in the
same manner as public information.
Sec. 18.007. REPORT. Not later than September 1 of each
even-numbered year, the committee shall provide to the legislature
a report on the committee's activities and recommendations.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.