78R813 JJT-D

By:  Ellis                                                        S.B. No. 508



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to planning and reporting requirements for gas utilities 
regarding workforce diversity and opportunities for small and 
historically underutilized businesses.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Subtitle A, Title 3, Utilities Code, is amended 
by adding Chapter 106 to read as follows:

CHAPTER 106.  WORKFORCE DIVERSITY AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR

CERTAIN BUSINESSES
	Sec. 106.001.  DEFINITIONS.  In this chapter, "small 
business" and "historically underutilized business" have the 
meanings assigned by Section 481.191, Government Code.
	Sec. 106.002.  PLAN TO ENHANCE WORKFORCE DIVERSITY AND 
INCREASE OPPORTUNITIES FOR SMALL AND HISTORICALLY UNDERUTILIZED 
BUSINESSES.  (a)  Each gas utility annually shall submit to the 
railroad commission a five-year plan to:
		(1)  enhance the diversity of its workforce in all 
occupational categories; and
		(2)  increase business opportunities for small and 
historically underutilized businesses, including contracting and 
joint venture opportunities and  opportunities for those businesses 
to enter into the market for gas, gas products, and gas services.
	(b)  The plan must list and describe programs and activities 
the gas utility intends to undertake during the five years 
addressed in the plan to accomplish the goals described by 
Subsection (a).
	Sec. 106.003.  REPORTING WORKFORCE DIVERSITY AND 
OPPORTUNITIES FOR SMALL AND HISTORICALLY UNDERUTILIZED BUSINESSES.  
(a)  Each gas utility annually shall submit to the railroad 
commission a report that summarizes the utility's efforts to 
enhance the diversity of its workforce and increase business 
opportunities for small and historically underutilized businesses.
	(b)  The report must include information and assessments, as 
required by railroad commission rule, concerning:
		(1)  the diversity of the gas utility's workforce at the 
time of the report;
		(2)  the gas utility's level of contracting with small 
and historically underutilized businesses;
		(3)  joint ventures in which the gas utility 
participates with a small or historically underutilized business;
		(4)  the progress made in the preceding year under the 
plan submitted under Section 106.002;
		(5)  the programs and activities undertaken during the 
preceding year under the plan submitted under Section 106.002 and 
the success of the programs and activities;
		(6)  the extent to which the gas utility has carried out 
its initiatives to increase business opportunities with small and 
historically underutilized businesses; and
		(7)  the diversity in the gas utility's governing 
board.             
	(c)  The report may be included as part of any other annual 
report the gas utility is required to submit to the railroad 
commission.
	SECTION 2.  The Railroad Commission of Texas by rule shall 
require each gas utility to submit to the commission the plan 
required by Section 106.002, Utilities Code, as added by this Act, 
as soon as the commission determines is practicable, but not later 
than September 1, 2004.
	SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2003.