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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the creation of an interim committee to study |
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large-scale battery storage. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. DEFINITION. In this Act, "large-scale battery |
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storage" includes: |
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(1) utility-scale or grid-scale storage of electric |
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energy using batteries for connection to electric power generation |
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or transmission and distribution networks to provide for |
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flexibility in electric power systems and optimal use of electric |
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energy resources; |
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(2) storage of electric energy using batteries to |
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provide electric power to large industrial, office, or other |
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facilities or to residential communities; and |
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(3) electric energy storage using equipment or |
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facilities described by Subchapter E, Chapter 35, Utilities Code, |
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to the extent the facilities employ battery technology. |
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SECTION 2. INTERIM COMMITTEE; STUDY AND REPORT. (a) An |
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interim committee is established to study large-scale battery |
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storage. |
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(b) The study must consider: |
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(1) current statutes, regulations, and ordinances |
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regarding large-scale battery storage in this state; |
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(2) the status of state oversight and regulation of |
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large-scale battery storage, including by the Public Utility |
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Commission of Texas, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, |
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the Texas Division of Emergency Management, and other state |
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agencies; |
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(3) fire safety standards for large-scale battery |
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storage; and |
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(4) building code standards for large-scale battery |
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storage. |
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(c) The interim committee shall be composed of members |
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appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives. The |
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members must include: |
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(1) members of the house of representatives; |
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(2) two individuals to represent the large-scale |
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battery storage industry; and |
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(3) two members of the general public. |
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(d) The speaker of the house of representatives shall |
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designate a member of the interim committee to serve as the chair of |
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the committee. |
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(e) The interim committee has all other powers and duties |
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provided to a special committee by the rules of the house of |
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representatives, by Subchapter B, Chapter 301, Government Code, and |
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by policies of the House Committee on Administration. |
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(f) Not later than January 1, 2025, the joint interim |
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committee shall report the committee's findings and |
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recommendations to the governor and the members of the legislature. |
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The report must include recommendations for best practices to |
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address public safety concerns regarding the location and operation |
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of large-scale battery storage. |
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SECTION 3. EXPIRATION; ABOLITION OF COMMITTEE. The interim |
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committee established by Section 2 of this Act is abolished and this |
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Act expires January 10, 2025. |
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SECTION 4. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act takes effect |
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immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members |
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elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas |
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Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for |
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immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2023. |