Honorable Drew Darby, Chair, House Committee on Energy Resources
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB1931 by Thierry (Relating to the duties of the State Energy Conservation Office regarding advanced clean energy project grants and loans and the creation of an inclusion task force for the energy industry.), As Introduced
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend Chapter 447, Government Code, to require the State Energy Conservation Office (SECO) to require each recipient of a grant or loan under the advanced clean energy project grant and loan program to annually submit a detailed plan for increasing procurements from historically underutilized businesses (HUBs) in renewable energy, advanced technologies, and demonstration and other clean energy projects. SECO would also require the recipient to submit an annual report regarding implementation of the plan for increasing procurements from HUBs. SECO would develop guidelines to be used by recipients for establishing a plan and develop and require recipients to implement a HUB outreach program. The bill would require SECO to establish an inclusion task force to consider and make recommendations on diversity in the energy industry, including diversity of corporate governing boards and procurement from diverse businesses.
SECO, which is housed within the office of the Comptroller, indicates that any costs to implement the provisions of the bill could be absorbed within existing resources.
Local Government Impact
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.