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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the recovery of certain natural gas distribution |
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utility ratemaking proceeding expenses; adding provisions subject |
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to a criminal penalty. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 103.021, Utilities Code, is amended by |
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adding Subsection (d) to read as follows: |
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(d) In establishing a gas utility's rates under this |
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subchapter, a municipality shall allow a gas utility to recover |
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through its rates on a systemwide basis only, as an operating |
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expense, the gas utility's reasonable and necessary expenses of |
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participating in a proceeding under this subtitle. |
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SECTION 2. Section 103.022(b), Utilities Code, is amended |
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to read as follows: |
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(b) The gas utility in the ratemaking proceeding shall |
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reimburse the governing body of the municipality for the reasonable |
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cost of the services of a person engaged under Subsection (a) to the |
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extent the applicable regulatory authority determines reasonable. |
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For purposes of Section 103.021 or 104.057, the amount paid as |
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reimbursement under this subsection is a reasonable and necessary |
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expense of participating in a proceeding under this subtitle. |
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SECTION 3. Section 104.057, Utilities Code, is amended by |
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adding Subsection (c) to read as follows: |
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(c) In establishing a gas utility's rates, the regulatory |
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authority shall allow the gas utility to recover through its rates |
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on a systemwide basis only, as an operating expense, the gas |
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utility's reasonable and necessary expenses of participating in a |
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proceeding under this subtitle. |
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SECTION 4. The change in law made by this Act applies only |
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to a rate proceeding in which the initial hearing is held on or |
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after the effective date of this Act. A proceeding in which the |
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initial hearing is held before that date is governed by the law in |
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effect immediately before the effective date of this Act, and that |
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law is continued in effect for that purpose. |
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SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015. |