BILL ANALYSIS

C.S.S.B. 700

By: Hegar

Government Efficiency & Reform

Committee Report (Substituted)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties note that state entities prepare reports related to utility conservation and management, including a resource efficiency plan that is updated biennially.  In addition, entities are required by an executive order to submit reports as part of the state agency energy savings program. The parties point out that there have been problems with the consistency of the reporting and that standardizing state entity reporting frequencies and utility conservation details will address this issue. C.S.S.B. 700 seeks to codify the requirements of the executive order for these purposes. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

C.S.S.B. 700 amends the Government Code to require the state energy conservation office to develop a template for state agencies and institutions of higher education to use in creating the comprehensive energy and water management plan each agency and institution is required to prepare under statutory provisions relating to energy and water management planning. The bill requires each agency and institution to set percentage goals for reducing the agency's or institution's use of energy and water and include those goals in the agency's or institution's plan and to update the plan annually, rather than biennially. The bill requires the state energy conservation office, not later than December 1 of each even-numbered year, to submit a report to the governor and the Legislative Budget Board on the status and effectiveness of the utility management and conservation efforts of state agencies and institutions of higher education. The bill requires the report to include information submitted to the office from each state agency and institution of higher education and requires the office to post the report on the office's Internet website.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2013.

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL AND SUBSTITUTE

While C.S.S.B. 700 may differ from the engrossed version in minor or nonsubstantive ways, the following comparison is organized and highlighted in a manner that indicates the substantial differences between the engrossed and committee substitute versions of the bill.

SENATE ENGROSSED	HOUSE COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
SECTION 1.  The heading to Section 447.009, Government Code, is amended to read as follows: Sec. 447.009.  ENERGY AND WATER MANAGEMENT PLANNING; REPORTING.	SECTION 1. Same as engrossed version.
SECTION 2.  Section 447.009, Government Code, is amended by amending Subsection (c) and adding Subsection (e) to read as follows: (c)  The state energy conservation office shall prepare guidelines for preparation of the plan described in Subsection (a)(3) and develop a template for state agencies and institutions of higher education to use in creating the plan.  Each state agency and institution of higher education shall set percentage goals for reducing the agency's or institution's use of water, electricity, gasoline, and natural gas and include those goals in the agency's or institution's comprehensive energy and water management plan.  A state agency or an institution of higher education that occupies a state-owned building shall prepare and implement a five-year energy and water management plan and shall submit that plan to the office upon request.  The agency or institution shall update its plan annually [biennially].  A state agency or an institution of higher education that occupies a building not owned by the state shall cooperate with the office in addressing the energy or water management of that building. (e)  Not later than December 1 of each even-numbered year, the state energy conservation office shall submit a report to the governor and the Legislative Budget Board on the status and effectiveness of the utility management and conservation efforts of state agencies and institutions of higher education.  The report must include information submitted to the office from each state agency and institution of higher education.  The office shall post the report on the office's Internet website.	SECTION 2.  Section 447.009, Government Code, is amended by amending Subsection (c) and adding Subsection (e) to read as follows: (c)  The state energy conservation office shall prepare guidelines for preparation of the plan described in Subsection (a)(3) and develop a template for state agencies and institutions of higher education to use in creating the plan.  Each state agency and institution of higher education shall set percentage goals for reducing the agency's or institution's use of energy and water and include those goals in the agency's or institution's comprehensive energy and water management plan.  A state agency or an institution of higher education that occupies a state-owned building shall prepare and implement a five-year energy and water management plan and shall submit that plan to the office upon request.  The agency or institution shall update its plan annually [biennially].  A state agency or an institution of higher education that occupies a building not owned by the state shall cooperate with the office in addressing the energy or water management of that building. (e)  Not later than December 1 of each even-numbered year, the state energy conservation office shall submit a report to the governor and the Legislative Budget Board on the status and effectiveness of the utility management and conservation efforts of state agencies and institutions of higher education.  The report must include information submitted to the office from each state agency and institution of higher education.  The office shall post the report on the office's Internet website.
SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2013.	SECTION 3. Same as engrossed version.