79R9804 T

By:  Carona                                                       S.B. No. 1344



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to investment in research and development by utilities of 
the state of Texas.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Chapter 53, Utilities Code, is amended by adding 
Section 53.066 read as follows:
	Sec. 53.066.  INVESTMENT IN RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.  It is 
the intent of the legislature that commission ensures that the 
electric utilities invest sufficiently in technology research and 
development related to the transmission, distribution, storage and 
use of electricity in this state, taking advantage  of the research 
and development resources of this state and its institutions, in 
such a manner as to assure future ratepayers capture the benefits of 
advanced electricity technologies, systems, or processes, that 
enable increased efficiency and reliability and reduce the 
long-term cost of providing electric power, while contributing to 
the economic development and job creation goals of the state.
	SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2005.