SRC-LBB S.B. 980 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 980 78R6522 JD-DBy: Wentworth Infrastructure Development and Security 3/19/2003 As Filed DIGEST AND PURPOSE Currently, the Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) and the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC) can not create a prevention or response plan for security threats without making that plan public. Electric power and natural gas facilities may be targets of terrorists or other criminal activity. The prevention of or response to such activities may be compromised if the planning or implementation of such measures is not kept confidential. As proposed, S.B. 980 allows RRC and PUC to conduct a closed meeting to deliberate a security threat or disaster. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 551D, Government Code, by adding Section 551.093, as follows: Sec. 551.093. DELIBERATIONS OF PUBLIC UTILITY COMMISSION OF TEXAS OR RAILROAD COMMISSION OF TEXAS RELATING TO SECURITY THREAT OR DISASTER. (a) Defines "disaster." (b) Provides that this chapter does not require the Public Utility Commission of Texas or the Railroad Commission of Texas to conduct an open meeting to deliberate the details, or specific occasions for implementation, of a plan for responding to a security threat or disaster. SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2003.