BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 2639

By: Morales, Christina

State Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The devastating effects of Winter Storm Uri in February of this year left millions of Texans without power for upwards of a week in frigid weather, resulting in a loss of heat and also water in many homes. These awful conditions were a consequence of a culmination of failures, including an unstable power grid as a result of record low winter temperatures. It has been noted that the parts of the state unaffected by the extent of the power shortages were able to secure energy from the other two national electric grids, and that it would be in the state's best interest to look into developing more options for power reliability to avoid another catastrophic event. H.B. 2639 seeks to address this issue by providing for a study by the Public Utility Commission of Texas on the impacts of existing interconnections of electric transmission service facilities in Texas with those facilities in Mexico and the potential impacts of establishing new interconnections.

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

H.B. 2639 requires the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC) to study the impacts of existing interconnections of electric transmission service facilities in Texas with electric transmission service facilities in the United Mexican States and the potential impacts of establishing new interconnections of that nature. The bill requires the PUC to submit a report on the results of the study to the legislature not later than September 1, 2022. The bill's provisions expire December 31, 2022.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2021.