S.B. 985 78(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


S.B. 985
By: Wentworth
Defense Affairs and State-Federal Relations
Committee Report (Unamended)



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

The governor has emergency management powers to protect the state from
natural or man-made 
disasters, riots, or hostile military or "paramilitary action." Part of
the governor's responsibilities 
include planning for and responding to energy emergencies. As proposed,
S.B. 985 adds 
temporary statewide or local shortages of natural gas to the definition of
emergency energy. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any
additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency ,
or institution. 

ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Government Code to include a temporary statewide,
regional, or local shortage of natural gas in the definition of "energy
emergency." 

SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2003.