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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the functions and responsibilities of certain |
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legislative oversight committees. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Sections 39.907(e), (g), (i), and (k), Utilities |
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Code, are amended to read as follows: |
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(e) The committee shall: |
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(1) at the call of the joint chairs, meet [at least
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annually] with the commission; |
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(2) receive information about rules relating to |
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electric utility restructuring proposed by the commission and may |
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submit comments to the commission on those proposed rules; |
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(3) review recommendations for legislation proposed |
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by the commission; |
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(4) monitor the effectiveness of electric utility |
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restructuring, including the fairness of rates, the reliability of |
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service, and the effect of stranded costs, market power, and |
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regulation on the normal forces of competition; and |
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(5) study and seek policies to ensure that fuel |
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resources available to the state are used in a balanced and |
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efficient manner and consider the reliability, economic viability, |
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and environmental impact of new fuels and generation technologies. |
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(g) At the times the committee considers appropriate [Not
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later than November 15 of each even-numbered year], the committee |
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may [shall] report to the governor, lieutenant governor, and |
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speaker of the house of representatives on the committee's |
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activities under Subsection (e). If the committee submits a report |
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under this subsection, the [The] report shall include: |
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(1) an analysis of any problems caused by electric |
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utility restructuring; and |
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(2) recommendations of any legislative action |
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necessary to address those problems and to further retail |
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competition within the electric power industry. |
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(i) In addition to the duties under Subsection (e), the |
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committee may, at the call of the joint chairs, [shall] meet [at
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least twice annually] to encourage cooperation and coordination |
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with the following entities: |
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(1) the commission; |
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(2) the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality; |
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(3) the Railroad Commission of Texas; |
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(4) the Electric Reliability Council of Texas; and |
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(5) the office of the comptroller of public accounts. |
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(k) At the times the committee considers appropriate [Not
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later than November 15 of each even-numbered year], the committee |
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may [shall] report to the governor, the lieutenant governor, and |
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the speaker of the house of representatives on the committee's |
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activities under Subsection (j). |
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SECTION 2. Sections 65.252(a) and (g), Utilities Code, are |
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amended to read as follows: |
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(a) The committee may, at the call of the chair, [shall] |
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conduct joint public hearings with the commission [at least
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annually] regarding the introduction of full competition to |
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telecommunications services in this state. |
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(g) At the times the committee considers appropriate [Not
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later than November 15 of each even-numbered year], the committee |
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may [shall] report to the governor, lieutenant governor, and |
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speaker of the house of representatives on the committee's |
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activities under this subchapter. If the committee submits a |
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report under this subsection, the [The] report must include: |
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(1) an analysis of any problems caused by |
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telecommunications deregulation; and |
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(2) recommendations for any legislative action |
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necessary to address those problems and to further competition |
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within the telecommunications industry. |
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SECTION 3. Chapter 1801, Insurance Code, is repealed. |
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SECTION 4. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2011. |