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        |  | AN ACT | 
      
        |  | relating to the deployment of advanced metering and meter | 
      
        |  | information networks in certain areas outside of ERCOT. | 
      
        |  | BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: | 
      
        |  | SECTION 1.  Subchapter L, Chapter 39, Utilities Code, is | 
      
        |  | amended by adding Section 39.5521 to read as follows: | 
      
        |  | Sec. 39.5521. METERING.  (a)  Notwithstanding Section | 
      
        |  | 39.552, an electric utility subject to this subchapter that elects | 
      
        |  | to deploy advanced metering and meter information networks may | 
      
        |  | recover reasonable and necessary costs incurred in deploying | 
      
        |  | advanced metering and meter information networks. An electric | 
      
        |  | utility that elects to deploy advanced metering or meter | 
      
        |  | information networks is subject to commission rules adopted under | 
      
        |  | Sections 39.107(h) and (k).  The commission shall ensure that any | 
      
        |  | deployment plan approved under this section and any related | 
      
        |  | customer surcharge: | 
      
        |  | (1)  are not applicable to customer accounts that | 
      
        |  | receive service at transmission voltage; and | 
      
        |  | (2)  are consistent with commission rules related to | 
      
        |  | advanced metering systems regarding: | 
      
        |  | (A)  customer protections; | 
      
        |  | (B)  data security, privacy, and  ownership; and | 
      
        |  | (C)  options given consumers to continue to | 
      
        |  | receive service through a non-advanced meter. | 
      
        |  | (b)  An electric utility subject to this subchapter that | 
      
        |  | elects to deploy an advanced meter information network shall deploy | 
      
        |  | the network as rapidly as practicable to allow customers to better | 
      
        |  | manage energy use and control costs. | 
      
        |  | SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives | 
      
        |  | a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as | 
      
        |  | provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this | 
      
        |  | Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this | 
      
        |  | Act takes effect September 1, 2019. | 
      
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        |  | ______________________________ | ______________________________ | 
      
        |  | President of the Senate | Speaker of the House | 
      
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        |  | I certify that H.B. No. 853 was passed by the House on April | 
      
        |  | 5, 2019, by the following vote:  Yeas 142, Nays 1, 1 present, not | 
      
        |  | voting. | 
      
        |  |  | 
      
        |  | ______________________________ | 
      
        |  | Chief Clerk of the House | 
      
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        |  | 
      
        |  | I certify that H.B. No. 853 was passed by the Senate on May | 
      
        |  | 10, 2019, by the following vote:  Yeas 30, Nays 1. | 
      
        |  |  | 
      
        |  | ______________________________ | 
      
        |  | Secretary of the Senate | 
      
        |  | APPROVED:  _____________________ | 
      
        |  | Date | 
      
        |  |  | 
      
        |  | _____________________ | 
      
        |  | Governor |