By Oakley H.B. No. 2822
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
1-1 AN ACT
1-2 relating to the creation of consumer incentive or rebate programs
1-3 for appliances and equipment fueled by alternative fuels.
1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-5 SECTION 1. Subchapter I, Chapter 113, Natural Resources
1-6 Code, is amended by adding Section 113.2435 to read as follows:
1-7 Section 113.2435. Consumer Incentive or Rebate Programs.
1-8 (a) The commission may establish consumer rebate programs
1-9 for purchasers of appliances and equipment fueled by LPG or other
1-10 environmentally beneficial alternative fuels for the purpose of
1-11 achieving energy conservation and efficiency and improving the
1-12 quality of air in this state.
1-13 (b) The commission may adopt rules necessary to establish a
1-14 program under this section.
1-15 (c) Rules adopted and promulgated by the commission under
1-16 this section shall specify the following:
1-17 (1) rebate levels for various types of equipment such
1-18 that the rebates achieve and amount of public good comparable to
1-19 the rebate amount;
1-20 (2) a condition that the recipient agree to practice
1-21 environmentally sound operating principles;
1-22 (3) a condition that the rebate recipient agree to not
1-23 modify the equipment for a specified number of years as set by the
2-1 commission;
2-2 (4) any other conditions or restrictions determined by
2-3 the commission that would help ensure that either of the desired
2-4 goals of achieving energy conservation and efficiency or improving
2-5 air quality in this state is furthered.
2-6 SECTION 2. Section 113.243(c), Natural Resources Code, is
2-7 amended to read as follows:
2-8 (c) The fund may be used only by the commission to pay for
2-9 activities relating to the specific fuel from which the fee was
2-10 derived, including direct and indirect cost relating to:
2-11 (1) researching all possible uses of LPG and other
2-12 alternative fuels to enhance air quality;
2-13 (2) researching, developing, and implementing
2-14 marketing, advertising, and information programs relating to
2-15 alternative fuels to make alternative fuels more understandable and
2-16 readily available to consumers;
2-17 (3) developing conservation and distribution plans to
2-18 minimize the frequency and severity of disruptions in the supply of
2-19 alternative fuels;
2-20 (4) developing a public information plan that will
2-21 provide advisory services relating to alternative fuels to
2-22 consumers;
2-23 (5) developing voluntary participation plans to
2-24 promote the use of alternative fuels by federal, state, and local
2-25 agencies;
3-1 (6) implementing consumer incentive or rebate programs
3-2 developed pursuant to Section 113.2435 of this subchapter:
3-3 <(6)> (7) other functions the commission determines
3-4 are necessary to add a program established by the commission for
3-5 the purpose of promoting the use of LPG or other environmentally
3-6 beneficial alternative fuels; and
3-7 <(7)> (8) the administrative costs incurred by the
3-8 commission under this subchapter.
3-9 SECTION 3. The importance of this legislation and the
3-10 crowded conditions of the calendars in both houses create an
3-11 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
3-12 constitutional rule requiring bills be read on three several days
3-13 in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended, and
3-14 that this Act take effect and be in force from and after its
3-15 passage, and it is so enacted.
3-16 COMMITTEE AMENDMENT NO. 1
3-17 Amend H.B. 2822 on page 2, following line 1, by adding:
3-18 (5) A limitation on the proportion of the fund useable
3-19 for the rebate program which limits the proportion usable to not
3-20 more than 25 percent of the funds available.
3-21 Cook