1-1 By: Oakley (Senate Sponsor - Haley) H.B. No. 2822
1-2 (In the Senate - Received from the House May 12, 1993;
1-3 May 13, 1993, read first time and referred to Committee on Natural
1-4 Resources; May 20, 1993, reported favorably by the following vote:
1-5 Yeas 8, Nays 0; May 20, 1993, sent to printer.)
1-6 COMMITTEE VOTE
1-7 Yea Nay PNV Absent
1-8 Sims x
1-9 Truan x
1-10 Armbrister x
1-11 Barrientos x
1-12 Bivins x
1-13 Brown x
1-14 Carriker x
1-15 Lucio x
1-16 Montford x
1-17 Ratliff x
1-18 Shelley x
1-19 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
1-20 AN ACT
1-21 relating to the creation of consumer incentive or rebate programs
1-22 for appliances and equipment fueled by alternative fuels.
1-23 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-24 SECTION 1. Subchapter I, Chapter 113, Natural Resources
1-25 Code, is amended by adding Section 113.2435 to read as follows:
1-26 Sec. 113.2435. CONSUMER INCENTIVE OR REBATE PROGRAMS.
1-27 (a) The commission may establish consumer rebate programs for
1-28 purchasers of appliances and equipment fueled by LPG or other
1-29 environmentally beneficial alternative fuels for the purpose of
1-30 achieving energy conservation and efficiency and improving the
1-31 quality of air in this state.
1-32 (b) The commission may adopt rules necessary to establish a
1-33 program under this section.
1-34 (c) Rules adopted and promulgated by the commission under
1-35 this section shall specify the following:
1-36 (1) rebate levels for various types of equipment such
1-37 that the rebates achieve an amount of public good comparable to the
1-38 rebate amount;
1-39 (2) a condition that the recipient agree to practice
1-40 environmentally sound operating principles;
1-41 (3) a condition that the rebate recipient agree to not
1-42 modify the equipment for a specified number of years as set by the
1-43 commission;
1-44 (4) any other conditions or restrictions determined by
1-45 the commission that would help ensure that either of the desired
1-46 goals of achieving energy conservation and efficiency or improving
1-47 air quality in this state is furthered;
1-48 (5) a limitation on the proportion of the fund usable
1-49 for the rebate program that limits the proportion usable to not
1-50 more than 25 percent of the funds available.
1-51 SECTION 2. Section 113.243(c), Natural Resources Code, is
1-52 amended to read as follows:
1-53 (c) The fund may be used only by the commission to pay for
1-54 activities relating to the specific fuel from which the fee was
1-55 derived, including direct and indirect cost relating to:
1-56 (1) researching all possible uses of LPG and other
1-57 alternative fuels to enhance air quality;
1-58 (2) researching, developing, and implementing
1-59 marketing, advertising, and information programs relating to
1-60 alternative fuels to make alternative fuels more understandable and
1-61 readily available to consumers;
1-62 (3) developing conservation and distribution plans to
1-63 minimize the frequency and severity of disruptions in the supply of
1-64 alternative fuels;
1-65 (4) developing a public information plan that will
1-66 provide advisory services relating to alternative fuels to
1-67 consumers;
1-68 (5) developing voluntary participation plans to
2-1 promote the use of alternative fuels by federal, state, and local
2-2 agencies;
2-3 (6) implementing consumer incentive or rebate programs
2-4 developed pursuant to Section 113.2435 of this subchapter;
2-5 (7) other functions the commission determines are
2-6 necessary to add a program established by the commission for the
2-7 purpose of promoting the use of LPG or other environmentally
2-8 beneficial alternative fuels; and
2-9 (8) <(7)> the administrative costs incurred by the
2-10 commission under this subchapter.
2-11 SECTION 3. The importance of this legislation and the
2-12 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
2-13 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
2-14 constitutional rule requiring bills be read on three several days
2-15 in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended, and
2-16 that this Act take effect and be in force from and after its
2-17 passage, and it is so enacted.
2-18 * * * * *
2-19 Austin,
2-20 Texas
2-21 May 20, 1993
2-22 Hon. Bob Bullock
2-23 President of the Senate
2-24 Sir:
2-25 We, your Committee on Natural Resources to which was referred H.B.
2-26 No. 2822, have had the same under consideration, and I am
2-27 instructed to report it back to the Senate with the recommendation
2-28 that it do pass and be printed.
2-29 Sims,
2-30 Chairman
2-31 * * * * *
2-32 WITNESSES
2-33 FOR AGAINST ON
2-34 ___________________________________________________________________
2-35 Name: Johnnie B. Rogers, Jr.
2-36 Representing: Tx Propane Gas Assoc.
2-37 City: Austin
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2-39 Name: John Danks
2-40 Representing: Tx Propane Gas Assoc.
2-41 City: Austin
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