S.B. No. 1404
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to the creation of a work group to study the benefits of
  coal-to-nuclear electric generating facility conversion.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  DEFINITION. In this Act, "work group" means the
  coal-to-nuclear conversion work group established under Section 2
  of this Act.
         SECTION 2.  WORK GROUP FORMATION AND ADMINISTRATION. (a)  
  The coal-to-nuclear conversion work group is established and
  composed of 16 members with:
               (1)  one member of the senate appointed by the
  lieutenant governor;
               (2)  one member of the house of representatives
  appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives;
               (3)  two members representing institutions of higher
  education appointed by the governor;
               (4)  one ex officio member representing the Public
  Utility Commission of Texas appointed by the governor;
               (5)  one ex officio member representing the independent
  organization certified under Section 39.151, Utilities Code, for
  the ERCOT power region appointed by the governor; and
               (6)  10 members of the public who have knowledge and
  experience in nuclear engineering, nuclear safety, energy policy,
  or economic analysis, and who are appointed as follows:
                     (A)  five members appointed by the speaker of the
  house of representatives; and
                     (B)  five members appointed by the lieutenant
  governor.
         (b)  The work group members described by Subsections (a)(1)
  and (2) of this section serve as co-chairs of the work group.
         (c)  The work group shall meet at the call of its co-chairs.
         (d)  The work group may form committees for the efficient
  operation of the work group, at the discretion of the co-chairs of
  the work group. The co-chairs of the work group shall appoint the
  presiding officer of each committee. The presiding officer of a
  committee may invite other members of the work group to serve on the
  committee. A committee may consult with subject matter experts.
         (e)  The work group may adopt rules, procedures, and policies
  as necessary or convenient to administer this Act and fulfill the
  responsibilities of the work group.
         (f)  A member of the work group may not receive compensation
  for serving on the work group but is entitled to reimbursement for
  expenses incurred by the member in the performance of official
  duties as a member of the work group as provided by the General
  Appropriations Act.
         (g)  The senate and the house of representatives shall
  provide administrative support to the work group as necessary to
  implement this Act.
         SECTION 3.  WORK GROUP DUTIES. (a)  The work group shall:
               (1)  study the benefits of converting sites in this
  state with coal-fired electric generating facilities to use nuclear
  electric generating facilities instead; and
               (2)  develop a model plan for implementing
  coal-to-nuclear conversion to provide affordable and sustainable
  power in this state.
         (b)  In developing the model plan, the work group shall:
               (1)  conduct a comprehensive review of research and
  information on coal-to-nuclear conversion and related issues;
               (2)  engage in stakeholder outreach to gather feedback
  and input from the public, industry, state agencies, and relevant
  organizations;
               (3)  identify the potential benefits of
  coal-to-nuclear conversion, including cost-effectiveness, energy
  security, and reduced environmental impact;
               (4)  assess the economic viability of coal-to-nuclear
  conversion and provide recommendations on financing and
  cost-effectiveness; and
               (5)  consider the regulatory framework and
  requirements for coal-to-nuclear conversion and provide
  recommendations for streamlining the conversion process.
         (c)  Not later than October 31, 2024, the work group shall
  submit to each standing committee of the senate and house of
  representatives with oversight jurisdiction over environmental
  concerns or electric utilities a report that includes the model
  plan developed under this section and any findings or
  recommendations made by a committee formed under Section 2(d) of
  this Act.
         SECTION 4.  APPOINTMENTS.  As soon as practicable, but not
  later than October 1, 2023, the governor, lieutenant governor, and
  speaker of the house of representatives shall appoint the members
  of the work group.
         SECTION 5.  INITIAL MEETING.  Not later than November 1,
  2023, the work group shall hold its initial meeting at the call of
  the co-chairs of the work group.
         SECTION 6.  EXPIRATION. This Act expires and the work group
  is abolished June 30, 2025.
         SECTION 7.  EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act takes effect September
  1, 2023.
 
 
 
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
         I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1404 passed the Senate on
  April 25, 2023, by the following vote: Yeas 29, Nays 1; and that
  the Senate concurred in House amendment on May 27, 2023, by the
  following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.
 
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate    
 
         I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1404 passed the House, with
  amendment, on May 24, 2023, by the following vote: Yeas 134,
  Nays 4, one present not voting.
 
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
 
 
  Approved:
 
  ______________________________ 
              Date
 
 
  ______________________________ 
            Governor