By: Price, et al. (Senate Sponsor - Perry) H.B. No. 986
         (In the Senate - Received from the House April 8, 2019;
  April 9, 2019, read first time and referred to Committee on
  Business & Commerce; April 29, 2019, reported favorably by the
  following vote:  Yeas 8, Nays 0; April 29, 2019, sent to printer.)
Click here to see the committee vote
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
 
  relating to the deployment of advanced metering and meter
  information networks by certain non-ERCOT utilities.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 39.402, Utilities Code, is amended by
  adding Subsections (e) and (f) to read as follows:
         (e)  Notwithstanding Subsection (a), 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.
         (f)  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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