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AN ACT
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relating to priorities for restoration of electric service |
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following an extended power outage. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter D, Chapter 38, Utilities Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 38.072 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 38.072. PRIORITIES FOR POWER RESTORATION TO CERTAIN |
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MEDICAL FACILITIES. (a) In this section: |
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(1) "Assisted living facility" has the meaning |
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assigned by Section 247.002, Health and Safety Code. |
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(2) "Extended power outage" has the meaning assigned |
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by Section 13.1395, Water Code. |
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(3) "Hospice services" has the meaning assigned by |
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Section 142.001, Health and Safety Code. |
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(4) "Nursing facility" has the meaning assigned by |
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Section 242.301, Health and Safety Code. |
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(b) The commission by rule shall require an electric utility |
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to give to the following the same priority that it gives to a |
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hospital in the utility's emergency operations plan for restoring |
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power after an extended power outage: |
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(1) a nursing facility; |
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(2) an assisted living facility; and |
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(3) a facility that provides hospice services. |
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(c) The rules adopted by the commission under Subsection (b) |
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must allow an electric utility to exercise the electric utility's |
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discretion to prioritize power restoration for a facility after an |
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extended power outage in accordance with the facility's needs and |
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with the characteristics of the geographic area in which power must |
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be restored. |
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(d) A municipally owned utility shall report the emergency |
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operations plan for restoring power to a facility listed in |
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Subsection (b) to the municipality's governing body or the body |
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vested with the power to manage and operate the municipally owned |
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utility. |
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(e) An electric cooperative shall report the emergency |
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operations plan for restoring power to a facility listed in |
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Subsection (b) to the board of directors of the electric |
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cooperative. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2011. |
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______________________________ |
______________________________ |
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President of the Senate |
Speaker of the House |
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I hereby certify that S.B. No. 937 passed the Senate on |
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April 7, 2011, by the following vote: Yeas 29, Nays 2. |
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______________________________ |
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Secretary of the Senate |
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I hereby certify that S.B. No. 937 passed the House on |
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May 25, 2011, by the following vote: Yeas 147, Nays 0, one |
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present not voting. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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Approved: |
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______________________________ |
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Date |
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______________________________ |
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Governor |