89R13385 SCR-D
By: Hancock S.B. No. 2546
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to establishing an advisory group to study potential means
to finance costs of development and maintenance of electric
transmission infrastructure.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. DEFINITION. In this Act, "work group" means the
work group established under Section 2 of this Act.
SECTION 2. WORK GROUP. The Transmission Cost Funding Work
Group is composed of the following members:
(1) one representative of the Public Utility
Commission of Texas, appointed by the chair of the commission;
(2) one representative of the independent
organization certified under Section 39.151, Utilities Code, for
the ERCOT power region, appointed by the chief executive officer of
the independent organization;
(3) two members of the Texas Senate, appointed by the
lieutenant governor;
(4) two members of the Texas House of Representatives,
appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives;
(5) one representative of the comptroller's office,
appointed by the comptroller; and
(6) the following members, appointed by the governor:
(A) one representative of the office of the
governor;
(B) one representative of a consumer advocacy
group;
(C) one representative of a renewable energy
organization; and
(D) one representative each of:
(i) the oil and gas industry;
(ii) an investor-owned electric utility;
(iii) a municipally owned electric utility;
and
(iv) an electric cooperative.
SECTION 3. STUDY. The work group shall conduct a study of
available means to finance the costs of development and maintenance
of electric transmission infrastructure that may help to ensure the
reliability, affordability, and long-term sustainability of the
Texas power grid. The study must be designed to:
(1) identify potential revenue sources, funding
mechanisms, and incentives that may be dedicated to those costs,
including:
(A) legislative appropriations;
(B) public-private partnerships;
(C) utility surcharges or fees;
(D) tax incentives;
(E) infrastructure investment programs; and
(F) reallocation of existing funds;
(2) assess the financial feasibility and long-term
sustainability of the revenue sources, funding mechanisms, and
incentives described by Subdivision (1) of this section;
(3) evaluate the potential effects of each of the
revenue sources, funding mechanisms, and incentives described by
Subdivision (1) of this section on consumers, utilities, and the
economy of this state; and
(4) compare and evaluate the revenue sources, funding
mechanisms, and incentives applied to those costs by other states.
SECTION 4. REPORT. Not later than December 1, 2026, the
work group shall submit to the governor, the lieutenant governor,
and the speaker of the house of representatives a written report
that includes:
(1) the findings of the study conducted under Section
3 of this Act; and
(2) any recommendations for legislative or other
action related to the funding of electric transmission projects.
SECTION 5. EXPIRATION. This Act expires September 1, 2027.
SECTION 6. EFFECTIVE DATE. 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.