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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the establishment of an office of the inspector general |
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at the Public Utility Commission of Texas. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Chapter 12, Utilities Code, is amended by adding |
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Subchapter G to read as follows: |
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SUBCHAPTER G. OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL |
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Sec. 12.301. OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL. (a) The |
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office of the inspector general is an office within the commission. |
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(b) The commission shall appoint an inspector general to |
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serve as director of the office of the inspector general. The |
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inspector general serves until removed by the commission. |
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(c) The commission shall provide staff, administrative |
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resources, and support services as necessary to the office of the |
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inspector general. |
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Sec. 12.302. POWERS AND DUTIES. (a) The office of the |
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inspector general is responsible for the investigation, |
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prevention, and detection of fraud, waste, and abuse at the |
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commission and entities over which the commission exercises |
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oversight, including the independent organization certified under |
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Section 39.151 for the ERCOT power region. |
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(b) The office of the inspector general has all of the |
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powers necessary or appropriate to carry out the office's |
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responsibilities and functions under this subchapter and other law. |
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(c) The inspection or disclosure of a record, document, or |
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file for purposes of an investigation under this subchapter is not a |
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voluntary disclosure under Section 552.007, Government Code. A |
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record, document, or file made available to the office for purposes |
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of an investigation under this subchapter is not subject to public |
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disclosure by the office. |
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Sec. 12.303. COOPERATION WITH OTHER ENTITIES. The office |
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of the inspector general may refer matters for further civil and |
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administrative action to appropriate administrative agencies, |
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including the attorney general. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021. |