By: Fraser S.B. No. 1913
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to certificates of convenience and necessity.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Sections 37.051(a), 37.053(a), 37.055, 37.057,
  and 37.151, Utilities Code, are amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 37.051.  CERTIFICATE REQUIRED.  (a)  A person[electric
  utility] may not directly or indirectly provide service to the
  public under a franchise or permit unless the person[utility] first
  obtains from the commission a certificate that states that the
  public convenience and necessity requires or will require the
  installation, operation, or extension of the service.
         (d)  A certificate may be granted to a person under this
  subsection for a facility used solely for the transmission of
  electricity.
         Sec. 37.053.  APPLICATION FOR CERTIFICATE.  (a)  A person
  [An electric utility] that wants to obtain or amend a certificate
  must submit an application to the commission.
         Sec. 37.055.  REQUEST FOR PRELIMINARY ORDER.  (a)  A person
  [An electric utility] that wants to exercise a right or privilege
  under a franchise or permit that the person [utility] anticipates
  obtaining but has not been granted may apply to the commission for a
  preliminary order under this section.
         (b)  The commission may issue a preliminary order declaring
  that the commission, on application and under commission rules,
  will grant the requested certificate on terms the commission
  designates, after the person [electric utility] obtains the
  franchise or permit.
         (c)  The commission shall grant the certificate on
  presentation of evidence satisfactory to the commission that the
  person [electric utility] has obtained the franchise or permit.
         Sec. 37.057.  DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION FOR NEW TRANSMISSION
  FACILITY.  The commission may grant a certificate for a new
  transmission facility to any qualified applicant that meets the
  requirements of this subchapter. The commission must approve or
  deny an application for a certificate for a new transmission
  facility not later than the first anniversary of the date the
  application is filed. If the commission does not approve or deny
  the application on or before that date, a party may seek a writ of
  mandamus in a district court of Travis County to compel the
  commission to decide on the application.
         Sec. 37.151  PROVISION OF SERVICE.
         Except as provided by this section, Section 37.152, and
  Section 37.153, a certificate holder, other than those granted a
  certificate pursuant to Section 37.051(d), shall:
                           (1)  serve every consumer in the utility's
  certificated area; and
                           (2)  provide continuous and adequate service
  in that area.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
  a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
  provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
  Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
  Act takes effect September 1, 2009.