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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to mobile source emissions reductions and transportation |
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electrification; authorizing a fee. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subtitle F, Title 4, Government Code, is amended |
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by adding Chapter 490I to read as follows: |
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CHAPTER 490I. TEXAS TRANSPORTATION ELECTRIFICATION COUNCIL |
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Sec. 490I.001. DEFINITION. In this chapter, "council" |
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means the Texas Transportation Electrification Council established |
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by this chapter. |
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Sec. 490I.002. ESTABLISHMENT; COMPOSITION. (a) The Texas |
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Transportation Electrification Council is established. |
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(b) The council is composed of the chair of, or if not |
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applicable, the administrative head of, each of the following |
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entities: |
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(1) the Public Utility Commission of Texas; |
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(2) the Electric Reliability Council of Texas; |
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(3) the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality; |
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(4) the State Energy Conservation Office; |
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(5) the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation; |
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(6) the Texas Department of Transportation; |
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(7) the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles; |
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(8) the Texas Department of Housing and Community |
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Affairs; |
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(9) the Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation; |
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(10) the Texas Division of Emergency Management; and |
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(11) the Texas Economic Development and Tourism |
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Office. |
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Sec. 490I.003. PRESIDING OFFICER; MEETINGS. (a) The |
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council annually shall elect one member to serve as the presiding |
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officer of the council. |
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(a-1) The chair of the Public Utility Commission of Texas |
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shall serve as the initial presiding officer of the council. This |
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subsection expires September 1, 2023. |
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(b) The council shall hold at least four public meetings |
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each year. |
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Sec. 490I.004. ADMINISTRATIVE ATTACHMENT; FUNDING. (a) |
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The council is administratively attached to the Texas Department of |
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Transportation. |
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(b) The council shall be funded using existing funds of the |
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Texas Department of Transportation. |
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Sec. 490I.0045. ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURE |
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ASSESSMENT. (a) Not later than March 1, 2022, the council shall |
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prepare an assessment of existing and planned public electric |
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vehicle charging infrastructure and associated technologies in |
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this state using existing databases. The assessment must include |
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the number and types of electric vehicle chargers at each location. |
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(b) The council shall use the assessment in developing the |
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plan required by Section 490I.005. |
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(c) This section expires September 1, 2023. |
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Sec. 490I.005. ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURE |
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PLAN. (a) The council shall: |
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(1) develop a comprehensive plan for the development |
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of public electric vehicle charging infrastructure and associated |
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technologies in this state through the year 2040; and |
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(2) update the plan biennially. |
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(b) The plan must: |
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(1) include a phased implementation of the plan, in |
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biennial increments, through the year 2030; |
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(2) identify areas in this state for which additional |
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public electric vehicle charging infrastructure is needed to ensure |
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that the vehicle choice of residents of this state is not |
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constrained by a lack of access to adequate public electric vehicle |
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charging infrastructure; |
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(3) provide for sufficient public electric vehicle |
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charging infrastructure to meet and enable future demand for |
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electric vehicles in this state that: |
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(A) ensures that adequate public electric |
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vehicle charging infrastructure is available: |
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(i) with sufficient frequency and capacity |
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to enable users of electric vehicles of various classes to travel |
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border to border and community to community on interstate highways |
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and other major roadways in this state; |
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(ii) along evacuation routes and at highway |
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rest stops in this state; and |
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(iii) in rural communities, multifamily and |
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underserved communities, town centers, commercial and retail |
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areas, parks and other publicly owned lands, and other areas that |
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are in close proximity to where local electric vehicle users live or |
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work; |
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(B) is safe, dependable, serviceable, and |
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operational; |
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(C) maximizes the benefits associated with |
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transportation electrification; |
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(D) enhances commerce by ensuring an adequate |
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distribution of public electric vehicle charging infrastructure is |
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available throughout the state to stimulate lower cost and lower |
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emissions from heavy duty trucking and delivery services; |
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(E) ensures adequate public electric vehicle |
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charging capacity to facilitate commerce: |
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(i) at or near the borders of this state; |
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(ii) in or near airports, rail yards, and |
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seaports; and |
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(iii) at warehouse complexes and truck |
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stops; |
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(F) enhances accessibility of tourist areas to |
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electric vehicle users; and |
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(G) covers any other areas identified by the |
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council; |
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(4) stimulate competition, innovation, consumer |
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choices in public electric vehicle charging and related |
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infrastructure and services, and encourage private capital |
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investment; and |
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(5) specify the number and types of electric vehicle |
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chargers per general location that are needed to meet the |
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requirements prescribed by Subdivisions (2), (3), and (4). |
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(c) In developing and updating the plan, the council: |
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(1) shall use, to the extent practicable, publicly |
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available electric vehicle projections and models based on industry |
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standards to determine, for each year, the percentage and number of |
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electric vehicles by vehicle class that are expected on roadways in |
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this state and the number of electric vehicle chargers that are |
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needed to ensure that there is comprehensive and adequate access to |
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public electric vehicle charging infrastructure in this state; and |
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(2) may rely on scenarios provided by the Electric |
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Reliability Council of Texas or other information from appropriate |
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sources for the percentage and number of electric vehicles by |
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vehicle class on roadways in this state by year. |
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Sec. 490I.006. STATE AGENCY POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS. The |
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council shall develop policy recommendations that state agencies |
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may adopt to encourage the development of an adequate network of |
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public electric vehicle charging infrastructure and associated |
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technologies to meet the future electrified transportation needs in |
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this state through the year 2030. |
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Sec. 490I.007. STAKEHOLDER INPUT. In performing the |
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council's duties under this chapter, the council shall seek advice |
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and input from: |
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(1) privately owned electric utilities; |
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(2) municipally owned electric utilities; |
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(3) electric cooperatives; |
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(4) state and local transportation and transit |
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agencies; |
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(5) port authorities; |
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(6) warehousing and logistics centers; |
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(7) electric vehicle charging infrastructure |
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companies; |
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(8) environmental groups; |
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(9) consumer advocates; |
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(10) motor vehicle manufacturers; |
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(11) nonprofit organizations developing electric |
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vehicle policy; |
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(12) nonprofit organizations representing food or |
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motor fuel providers; |
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(13) apartment associations; |
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(14) low-income community development corporations; |
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and |
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(15) interested members of the public. |
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Sec. 490I.008. AUTHORITY TO CONTRACT AND CONSULT WITH |
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CERTAIN PERSONS. In performing the council's duties under this |
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chapter, the council may: |
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(1) contract with experts, academic scholars, and |
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other appropriate professionals; and |
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(2) consult with the Texas A&M Transportation |
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Institute and institutions of higher education. |
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Sec. 490I.0085. INITIAL REPORT. (a) Not later than |
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December 1, 2022, the council shall prepare and submit to the |
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governor, the lieutenant governor, each member of the legislature, |
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and relevant state and federal agencies a written report of the |
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council's findings that includes: |
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(1) the assessment prepared under Section 490I.0045; |
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(2) the plan developed under Section 490I.005, |
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including the phased implementation of the plan required by |
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Subsection (b)(1) of that section; and |
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(3) the policy recommendations developed under |
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Section 490I.006. |
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(b) This section expires September 1, 2023. |
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Sec. 490I.009. BIENNIAL REPORT. Not later than December 1 |
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of each even-numbered year, the council shall prepare and submit to |
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the governor, the lieutenant governor, each member of the |
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legislature, and relevant state and federal agencies a written |
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report that includes: |
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(1) a summary of the progress made on the |
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implementation of the plan developed under Section 490I.005; |
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(2) the biennial update to the plan required under |
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Section 490I.005(a)(2); and |
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(3) any updates to the policy recommendations |
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developed under Section 490I.006. |
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SECTION 2. Section 386.001, Health and Safety Code, is |
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amended by adding Subdivision (4) to read as follows: |
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(4) "Federal funds" means all assistance provided to |
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the commission from the federal government in the form of grants, |
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contracts, loans, loan guarantees, property, cooperative |
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agreements, interest subsidies, insurance, direct appropriations, |
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or any other method of disbursement. |
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SECTION 3. Section 386.152, Health and Safety Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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Sec. 386.152. APPLICABILITY. (a) The provisions of this |
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subchapter relating to a lessee do not apply to a person who rents |
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or leases a light-duty motor vehicle for a term of 30 days or less. |
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(b) The provisions of this subchapter relating to a lessor |
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do not apply to a person who rents or leases a light-duty motor |
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vehicle to a person for a term of 30 days or less. |
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SECTION 4. Section 386.153, Health and Safety Code, is |
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amended by amending Subsection (c) and adding Subsection (e) to |
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read as follows: |
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(c) Only one incentive will be provided for each new |
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light-duty motor vehicle. The incentive shall be provided to the |
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seller or lessor of the vehicle. The seller or lessor shall credit |
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the amount of the incentive to the purchaser or lessee at the time |
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the sale is made or the lease is entered into. The incentive may not |
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[shall] be provided to a seller [the lessee and not to the |
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purchaser] if the motor vehicle is sold [purchased] for the purpose |
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of leasing the vehicle to another person. |
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(e) The commission shall establish a registration program |
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for sellers and lessors of new motor vehicles to apply online and |
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receive incentives under this subchapter. The commission shall |
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promptly pay the incentives when authorized under the registration |
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program established by this subsection. |
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SECTION 5. Section 386.154, Health and Safety Code, is |
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amended by amending Subsections (a), (b), and (d) and adding |
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Subsections (f), (g), and (h) to read as follows: |
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(a) A new light-duty motor vehicle powered by compressed |
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natural gas or liquefied petroleum gas is eligible for a $5,000 |
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incentive if the vehicle: |
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(1) has four wheels; |
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(2) was originally manufactured to comply with and has |
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been certified by an original equipment manufacturer or |
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intermediate or final state vehicle manufacturer as complying with, |
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or has been altered to comply with, federal motor vehicle safety |
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standards, state emissions regulations, and any additional federal |
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or state regulations applicable to vehicles powered by compressed |
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natural gas or liquefied petroleum gas; |
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(3) was manufactured for use primarily on public |
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streets, roads, and highways; |
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(4) has a dedicated or bi-fuel compressed natural gas |
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or liquefied petroleum gas fuel system: |
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(A) installed prior to first sale or within 500 |
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miles of operation of the vehicle following first sale; and |
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(B) with a range of at least 125 miles as |
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estimated, published, and updated by the United States |
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Environmental Protection Agency; |
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(5) has, as applicable, a: |
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(A) compressed natural gas fuel system that |
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complies with the: |
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(i) 2013 NFPA 52 Vehicular Gaseous Fuel |
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Systems Code; and |
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(ii) American National Standard for Basic |
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Requirements for Compressed Natural Gas Vehicle (NGV) Fuel |
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Containers, commonly cited as "ANSI/CSA NGV2"; or |
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(B) liquefied petroleum gas fuel system that |
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complies with: |
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(i) the 2011 NFPA 58 Liquefied Petroleum |
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Gas Code; and |
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(ii) Section VII of the 2013 ASME Boiler and |
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Pressure Vessel Code; and |
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(6) was sold or leased [acquired] on or after |
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September 1, 2013, or a later date established by the commission, by |
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the seller or lessor [person] applying for the incentive under this |
|
subsection and for use or lease by the purchaser or lessee of the |
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vehicle [that person] and not for resale. |
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(b) If the commission determines that an updated version of |
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a code or standard described by Subsection (a)(5) is more stringent |
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than the version of the code or standard described by Subsection |
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(a)(5), the commission by rule may provide that a vehicle for which |
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a seller or lessor [person] applies for an incentive under |
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Subsection (a) is eligible for the incentive only if the vehicle |
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complies with the updated version of the code or standard. |
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(d) A new light-duty motor vehicle powered by an electric |
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drive is eligible for a $2,500 incentive if the vehicle: |
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(1) has four wheels; |
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(2) was manufactured for use primarily on public |
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streets, roads, and highways; |
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(3) has not been modified from the original |
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manufacturer's specifications; |
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(4) has a maximum speed capability of at least 55 miles |
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per hour; |
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(5) is propelled to a significant extent by an |
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electric motor that draws electricity from a hydrogen fuel cell or |
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from a battery that: |
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(A) has a capacity of not less than four kilowatt |
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hours; and |
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(B) is capable of being recharged from an |
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external source of electricity; [and] |
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(6) is not designed, used, or maintained primarily to |
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transport property; and |
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(7) was sold or leased [acquired] on or after |
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September 1, 2013, or a later date as established by the commission, |
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by the seller or lessor [person] applying for the incentive under |
|
this subsection and for use or lease by the purchaser or lessee of |
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the vehicle [that person] and not for resale. |
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(f) A new light-duty motor vehicle powered by an electric |
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drive is eligible for a $4,000 incentive if the vehicle: |
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(1) satisfies the requirements of Subsections |
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(d)(1)-(5); |
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(2) is designed, used, or maintained primarily to |
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transport property; and |
|
(3) was sold or leased on or after September 1, 2021, |
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or a later date as established by the commission, by the seller or |
|
lessor applying for the incentive under this subsection and for use |
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or lease by the purchaser or lessee of the vehicle and not for |
|
resale. |
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(g) The incentive under Subsection (f) is limited to 2,000 |
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vehicles for each state fiscal biennium. |
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(h) Notwithstanding Subsections (c), (e), and (g) and |
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subject to Section 386.252(a)(11), at the beginning of the second |
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state fiscal year of the biennium, the commission shall adjust the |
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initial vehicle limitations provided under Subsections (c), (e), |
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and (g) based on demand for incentives under this section during the |
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preceding state fiscal year. |
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SECTION 6. Sections 386.157(a) and (c), Health and Safety |
|
Code, are amended to read as follows: |
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(a) A seller or lessor of [person who purchases or leases] a |
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new light-duty motor vehicle described by Section 386.154 and |
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listed under Section 386.156(a) is eligible to apply for an |
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incentive under this subchapter. |
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(c) To receive money under an incentive program provided by |
|
this subchapter, the seller or lessor of a light-duty motor vehicle |
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shall verify online that funds are available, that the seller or |
|
lessor is eligible [the purchaser or lessee of a new light-duty |
|
motor vehicle who is eligible to apply] for an incentive under this |
|
subchapter, and if the incentive is for a vehicle described by |
|
Section 386.154(d) or (f), that the purchaser or lessee of the |
|
vehicle has watched an online video that explains how and when to |
|
charge an electric vehicle to reduce peak demand for electricity |
|
and reduce air emissions [shall apply for the incentive in the |
|
manner provided by law or by rule of the commission]. |
|
SECTION 7. Section 386.158, Health and Safety Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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Sec. 386.158. COMMISSION TO ACCOUNT FOR MOTOR VEHICLE |
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PURCHASE OR LEASE INCENTIVES. (a) The commission by rule shall |
|
develop a method to administer and account for the motor vehicle |
|
purchase or lease incentives authorized by this subchapter and to |
|
pay incentive money to the seller [purchaser] or lessor [lessee] of |
|
a new motor vehicle[, on application of the purchaser or lessee as |
|
provided by this subchapter]. |
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(b) The commission shall develop and publish online forms |
|
and instructions for the seller [purchaser] or lessor [lessee] of a |
|
new motor vehicle to use in applying to the commission for an |
|
incentive payment under this subchapter. [The commission shall |
|
make the forms available to new motor vehicle dealers and leasing |
|
agents. Dealers and leasing agents shall make the forms available |
|
to their prospective purchasers or lessees.] |
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(c) The commission may require the online submission of |
|
forms and documentation as needed to verify eligibility for an |
|
incentive under this subchapter. |
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SECTION 8. Section 386.159, Health and Safety Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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Sec. 386.159. PURCHASE OR LEASE INCENTIVES ONLINE PORTAL |
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[INFORMATION]. [(a)] The commission shall establish an online |
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portal [a toll-free telephone number available to motor vehicle |
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dealers and leasing agents for the dealers and agents to call] to |
|
verify that incentives are available. [The commission may provide |
|
for issuing verification numbers over the telephone line. |
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[(b) Reliance by a dealer or leasing agent on information |
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provided by the commission is a complete defense to an action |
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involving or based on eligibility of a vehicle for an incentive or |
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availability of vehicles eligible for an incentive.] |
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SECTION 9. Section 386.160, Health and Safety Code, is |
|
amended to read as follows: |
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Sec. 386.160. RESERVATION OF INCENTIVES. The commission |
|
may provide for new motor vehicle sellers [dealers] and leasing |
|
agents to reserve for a limited time period incentives for eligible |
|
vehicles [that are not readily available and must be ordered,] if |
|
the seller [dealer] or leasing agent has a purchase or lease order |
|
signed by an identified customer. |
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SECTION 10. Sections 386.250(b) and (c), Health and Safety |
|
Code, as effective September 1, 2021, are amended to read as |
|
follows: |
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(b) The fund consists of: |
|
(1) the amount of money deposited to the credit of the |
|
fund under: |
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(A) Section 386.056; |
|
(B) Sections 151.0515 and 152.0215, Tax Code; and |
|
(C) Sections 501.138, 502.358, and 548.5055, |
|
Transportation Code; [and] |
|
(2) grant money recaptured under Section 386.111(d) |
|
and Chapter 391; and |
|
(3) federal funds deposited to the credit of the fund. |
|
(c) Not later than the 30th day after the last day of each |
|
state fiscal biennium, the commission shall transfer the |
|
unencumbered balance of the fund remaining on the last day of the |
|
state fiscal biennium to the credit of the Texas emissions |
|
reduction plan account. This subsection does not apply to federal |
|
funds deposited to the credit of the fund. |
|
SECTION 11. Section 386.252, Health and Safety Code, as |
|
effective September 1, 2021, is amended by amending Subsection (a) |
|
and adding Subsection (i) to read as follows: |
|
(a) Money in the fund and account may be used only to |
|
implement and administer programs established under the plan. |
|
Subject to the reallocation of funds by the commission under |
|
Subsection (h), money from the fund and account to be used for the |
|
programs under Section 386.051(b) shall initially be allocated as |
|
follows: |
|
(1) four percent may be used for the clean school bus |
|
program under Chapter 390; |
|
(2) three percent may be used for the new technology |
|
implementation grant program under Chapter 391, from which at least |
|
$1 million will be set aside for electricity storage projects |
|
related to renewable energy; |
|
(3) five percent may be used for the clean fleet |
|
program under Chapter 392; |
|
(4) not more than $3 million may be used by the |
|
commission to fund a regional air monitoring program in commission |
|
Regions 3 and 4 to be implemented under the commission's oversight, |
|
including direction regarding the type, number, location, and |
|
operation of, and data validation practices for, monitors funded by |
|
the program through a regional nonprofit entity located in North |
|
Texas having representation from counties, municipalities, higher |
|
education institutions, and private sector interests across the |
|
area; |
|
(5) 10 percent may be used for the Texas natural gas |
|
vehicle grant program under Chapter 394; |
|
(6) eight percent [not more than $6 million] may be |
|
used for the Texas alternative fueling facilities program under |
|
Chapter 393, of which a specified amount may be used for fueling |
|
stations to provide natural gas fuel[, except that money may not be |
|
allocated for the Texas alternative fueling facilities program for |
|
the state fiscal year ending August 31, 2019]; |
|
(7) not more than $750,000 may be used each year to |
|
support research related to air quality as provided by Chapter 387; |
|
(8) not more than $200,000 may be used for a health |
|
effects study; |
|
(9) at least $6 million but not more than $16 million |
|
may be used by the commission for administrative costs, including |
|
all direct and indirect costs for administering the plan, costs for |
|
conducting outreach and education activities, and costs |
|
attributable to the review or approval of applications for |
|
marketable emissions reduction credits; |
|
(10) six percent may be used by the commission for the |
|
seaport and rail yard areas emissions reduction program established |
|
under Subchapter D-1; |
|
(11) five percent may be used for the light-duty motor |
|
vehicle purchase or lease incentive program established under |
|
Subchapter D; |
|
(12) not more than $216,000 may be used by the |
|
commission to contract with the Energy Systems Laboratory at the |
|
Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station annually for the |
|
development and annual computation of creditable statewide |
|
emissions reductions obtained through wind and other renewable |
|
energy resources for the state implementation plan; |
|
(13) not more than $500,000 may be used for studies of |
|
or pilot programs for incentives for port authorities located in |
|
nonattainment areas or affected counties to encourage cargo |
|
movement that reduces emissions of nitrogen oxides and particulate |
|
matter; and |
|
(14) the balance is to be used by the commission for |
|
the diesel emissions reduction incentive program under Subchapter C |
|
as determined by the commission. |
|
(i) Notwithstanding any other law, federal funds deposited |
|
to the credit of the fund may be used only as provided by the terms |
|
of the applicable federal funds agreement. |
|
SECTION 12. Subtitle A, Title 14, Occupations Code, is |
|
amended by adding Chapter 2311 to read as follows: |
|
CHAPTER 2311. ELECTRIC VEHICLE METERING |
|
Sec. 2311.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter: |
|
(1) "Commission" means the Texas Commission of |
|
Licensing and Regulation. |
|
(2) "Metering device" means a commercial device used |
|
to measure electric energy transferred by electric vehicle charging |
|
stations and compute the charge for the energy. |
|
Sec. 2311.002. RULES. (a) The commission by rule shall |
|
establish: |
|
(1) specifications, tolerances, and other technical |
|
requirements for metering devices used in electric vehicle charging |
|
stations used in commercial transactions; and |
|
(2) standards for electric vehicle charging services |
|
that ensure the accuracy of measurements, enhance consumer |
|
protections, and promote fair competition. |
|
(b) In adopting rules under Subsection (a), the commission |
|
shall consider recommendations from relevant state and federal |
|
agencies and stakeholders. |
|
SECTION 13. Section 502.198(a), Transportation Code, is |
|
amended to read as follows: |
|
(a) Except as provided by Sections 502.058, 502.060, |
|
502.1911, 502.192, 502.356, [and] 502.357, and 502.360 and |
|
Subchapter H, this section applies to all fees collected by a county |
|
assessor-collector under this chapter. |
|
SECTION 14. Subchapter G, Chapter 502, Transportation Code, |
|
is amended by adding Section 502.360 to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 502.360. ADDITIONAL FEE FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES. (a) In |
|
this section, "electric vehicle" means a motor vehicle that uses |
|
electricity as its only source of motor power. |
|
(b) In addition to other fees authorized under this chapter, |
|
at the time of application for registration or renewal of |
|
registration of an electric vehicle, the applicant shall pay an |
|
additional fee in an amount of $100. |
|
(c) Fees collected under this section shall be deposited to |
|
the credit of the state highway fund. |
|
(c-1) Notwithstanding Subsection (c), $40 of each fee |
|
collected under this section shall be deposited to credit of the |
|
general revenue fund and may be used only for the operations of the |
|
Texas Transportation Electrification Council under Chapter 490I, |
|
Government Code. This subsection expires September 1, 2023. |
|
(d) The board shall adopt rules necessary to administer |
|
registration for an electric vehicle under this section. |
|
SECTION 15. Section 31.002, Utilities Code, is amended by |
|
adding Subdivision (3-a) and amending Subdivisions (6) and (17) to |
|
read as follows: |
|
(3-a) "Alternatively fueled vehicle" has the meaning |
|
assigned by Section 502.004, Transportation Code. |
|
(6) "Electric utility" means a person or river |
|
authority that owns or operates for compensation in this state |
|
equipment or facilities to produce, generate, transmit, |
|
distribute, sell, or furnish electricity in this state. The term |
|
includes a lessee, trustee, or receiver of an electric utility and a |
|
recreational vehicle park owner who does not comply with Subchapter |
|
C, Chapter 184, with regard to the metered sale of electricity at |
|
the recreational vehicle park. The term does not include: |
|
(A) a municipal corporation; |
|
(B) a qualifying facility; |
|
(C) a power generation company; |
|
(D) an exempt wholesale generator; |
|
(E) a power marketer; |
|
(F) a corporation described by Section 32.053 to |
|
the extent the corporation sells electricity exclusively at |
|
wholesale and not to the ultimate consumer; |
|
(G) an electric cooperative; |
|
(H) a retail electric provider; |
|
(I) this state or an agency of this state; or |
|
(J) a person not otherwise an electric utility |
|
who: |
|
(i) furnishes an electric service or |
|
commodity only to itself, its employees, or its tenants as an |
|
incident of employment or tenancy, if that service or commodity is |
|
not resold to or used by others; |
|
(ii) owns or operates in this state |
|
equipment or facilities to produce, generate, transmit, |
|
distribute, sell, or furnish electric energy to an electric |
|
utility, if the equipment or facilities are used primarily to |
|
produce and generate electric energy for consumption by that |
|
person; [or] |
|
(iii) owns or operates in this state a |
|
recreational vehicle park that provides metered electric service in |
|
accordance with Subchapter C, Chapter 184; or |
|
(iv) owns or operates equipment used solely |
|
to provide electricity charging service for consumption by |
|
alternatively fueled vehicles. |
|
(17) "Retail electric provider" means a person that |
|
sells electric energy to retail customers in this state. A retail |
|
electric provider may not own or operate generation assets. The |
|
term does not include a person not otherwise a retail electric |
|
provider who owns or operates equipment used solely to provide |
|
electricity charging service for consumption by alternatively |
|
fueled vehicles. |
|
SECTION 16. Subchapter A, Chapter 31, Utilities Code, is |
|
amended by adding Section 31.0021 to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 31.0021. CHARGING SERVICE. The commission by rule may |
|
exempt from the definition of "electric utility" or "retail |
|
electric provider" under Section 31.002 a provider who owns or |
|
operates equipment used solely to provide electricity charging |
|
service for a mode of transportation. |
|
SECTION 17. Section 37.001(3), Utilities Code, is amended |
|
to read as follows: |
|
(3) "Retail electric utility" means a person, |
|
political subdivision, electric cooperative, or agency that |
|
operates, maintains, or controls in this state a facility to |
|
provide retail electric utility service. The term does not include |
|
a corporation described by Section 32.053 to the extent that the |
|
corporation sells electricity exclusively at wholesale and not to |
|
the ultimate consumer. A qualifying cogenerator that sells |
|
electric energy at retail to the sole purchaser of the |
|
cogenerator's thermal output under Sections 35.061 and 36.007 is |
|
not for that reason considered to be a retail electric utility. The |
|
owner or operator of a qualifying cogeneration facility who was |
|
issued the necessary environmental permits from the Texas Natural |
|
Resource Conservation Commission after January 1, 1998, and who |
|
commenced construction of such qualifying facility before July 1, |
|
1998, may provide electricity to the purchasers of the thermal |
|
output of that qualifying facility and shall not for that reason be |
|
considered an electric utility or a retail electric utility, |
|
provided that the purchasers of the thermal output are owners of |
|
manufacturing or process operation facilities that are located on a |
|
site entirely owned before September, 1987, by one owner who |
|
retained ownership after September, 1987, of some portion of the |
|
facilities and that those facilities now share some integrated |
|
operations, such as the provision of services and raw materials. A |
|
person who owns or operates equipment used solely to provide |
|
electricity charging service for consumption by alternatively |
|
fueled vehicles is not for that reason considered to be a retail |
|
electric utility. |
|
SECTION 18. Subchapter A, Chapter 37, Utilities Code, is |
|
amended by adding Section 37.002 to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 37.002. CHARGING SERVICE. The commission may by rule |
|
exempt from the definition of "retail electric utility" under |
|
Section 37.001 a provider who owns or operates equipment used |
|
solely to provide electricity charging service for a mode of |
|
transportation. |
|
SECTION 19. (a) In this section: |
|
(1) "Commission" means the Texas Commission on |
|
Environmental Quality. |
|
(2) "Vehicle" has the meaning assigned by Section |
|
541.201, Transportation Code. |
|
(3) "Vehicle recycler" means a person engaged in the |
|
business of acquiring, dismantling, or preparing for recycling six |
|
or more end-of-life vehicles in a calendar year for the primary |
|
purpose of reselling the vehicles' parts. The term includes a |
|
salvage vehicle dealer licensed under Chapter 2302, Occupations |
|
Code. |
|
(b) Using existing funds, the commission shall conduct a |
|
study on policies pertaining to the recovery and recycling of |
|
lithium-ion and other propulsion batteries sold with electric |
|
vehicles in this state. The study must examine: |
|
(1) methods to ensure that as close to 100 percent as |
|
possible of electric vehicle batteries in this state are reused or |
|
recycled at end-of-life in a safe and cost-effective manner; |
|
(2) policy recommendations that reflect entire life |
|
cycle considerations for electric vehicle batteries, including |
|
opportunities and barriers to the reuse of electric vehicle |
|
batteries as energy storage systems after a battery is removed from |
|
a vehicle; |
|
(3) best management considerations for electric |
|
vehicle batteries at end-of-life and the overall effect of |
|
different management practices on the environment; |
|
(4) in-state and out-of-state options for the |
|
recycling of electric vehicle batteries; and |
|
(5) future electric vehicle battery technologies. |
|
(c) Not later than January 1, 2022, the commission shall |
|
establish and convene an advisory group to provide guidance and |
|
direction to the commission for purposes of conducting the study |
|
required by this section and making legislative recommendations |
|
based on the study. The advisory group shall meet at least |
|
quarterly. |
|
(d) The commission shall appoint to the advisory group at |
|
least one member from each of the following: |
|
(1) a representative from the Texas Economic |
|
Development and Tourism Office; |
|
(2) a representative from the Public Utility |
|
Commission of Texas; |
|
(3) a manufacturer of electric vehicles; |
|
(4) an organization that represents one or more |
|
vehicle manufacturers; |
|
(5) a nonprofit organization that represents |
|
utilities, electric vehicle manufacturers, and charging companies; |
|
(6) an electronic waste recycler or an organization |
|
that represents one or more electronic waste recyclers; |
|
(7) a vehicle repair dealer or an organization that |
|
represents one or more vehicle repair dealers; |
|
(8) a vehicle recycler or an organization that |
|
represents one or more vehicle recyclers; |
|
(9) a nationwide environmental organization that |
|
researches waste reduction and recycling strategies; |
|
(10) a representative of the large-scale lithium-ion |
|
and other energy storage technology industries; |
|
(11) an electric vehicle battery manufacturer; and |
|
(12) a standards-developing organization that has a |
|
focus on automotive engineering. |
|
(e) In advising the commission under this section, the |
|
advisory group shall consult with: |
|
(1) universities and research institutions that have |
|
conducted research in the area of battery recycling; |
|
(2) manufacturers of electric and hybrid vehicles; and |
|
(3) the recycling industry. |
|
(f) Not later than December 1, 2022, the commission shall |
|
prepare and submit to the governor, the lieutenant governor, and |
|
each member of the legislature a written report that includes a |
|
summary of the results of the study conducted under this section and |
|
any legislative recommendations based on the study. |
|
(g) The advisory group is abolished and this section expires |
|
January 1, 2023. |
|
SECTION 20. The Texas Transportation Electrification |
|
Council shall submit its first report under Section 490I.009, |
|
Government Code, as added by this Act, not later than December 1, |
|
2024. |
|
SECTION 21. The changes in law made by this Act to Chapter |
|
386, Health and Safety Code, apply only to a Texas emissions |
|
reduction plan grant awarded on or after the effective date of this |
|
Act. A grant awarded before the effective date of this Act is |
|
governed by the law in effect on the date the award was made, and the |
|
former law is continued in effect for that purpose. |
|
SECTION 22. Not later than December 1, 2024, the Texas |
|
Commission of Licensing and Regulation shall adopt the rules |
|
required by Section 2311.002, Occupations Code, as added by this |
|
Act. |
|
SECTION 23. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021. |