By: Larson H.B. No. 2381
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the establishment of the Texas Energy and
  Communications Commission to consolidate the functions of the
  Public Utility Commission of Texas and the Railroad Commission of
  Texas.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
  ARTICLE 1. RAILROAD COMMISSION OF TEXAS REESTABLISHED AS TEXAS
  ENERGY AND COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
         SECTION 1.01.  The heading to Chapter 81, Natural Resources
  Code, is amended to read as follows:
  CHAPTER 81. TEXAS ENERGY AND COMMUNICATIONS [RAILROAD] COMMISSION
  [OF TEXAS]
         SECTION 1.02.  Section 81.001, Natural Resources Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 81.001.  DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:
               (1)  "Commission" means the Texas Energy and
  Communications [Railroad] Commission [of Texas].
               (2)  "Commissioner" means any member of the Texas
  Energy and Communications [Railroad] Commission [of Texas].
         SECTION 1.03.  Subchapter A, Chapter 81, Natural Resources
  Code, is amended by adding Section 81.003 to read as follows:
         Sec. 81.003.  TEXAS ENERGY AND COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION.
  (a) The Railroad Commission of Texas is reestablished as the Texas
  Energy and Communications Commission.
         (b)  A reference in law to the Railroad Commission of Texas
  means the Texas Energy and Communications Commission.
         SECTION 1.04.  (a)  On January 1, 2022:
               (1)  the name of the Railroad Commission of Texas is
  changed to the Texas Energy and Communications Commission, and all
  powers, duties, rights, and obligations of the Railroad Commission
  of Texas are the powers, duties, rights, and obligations of the
  Texas Energy and Communications Commission;
               (2)  a member of the Railroad Commission of Texas is a
  member of the Texas Energy and Communications Commission; and
               (3)  any appropriation to the Railroad Commission of
  Texas is an appropriation to the Texas Energy and Communications
  Commission.
         (b)  On or after January 1, 2022, a reference in law to the
  Railroad Commission of Texas means the Texas Energy and
  Communications Commission.
         (c)  The Texas Energy and Communications Commission is the
  successor to the Railroad Commission of Texas in all respects. All
  personnel, equipment, data, documents, facilities, contracts,
  items, other property, rules, decisions, and proceedings of or
  involving the Railroad Commission of Texas are unaffected by the
  change in the name of the agency.
         SECTION 1.05.  This article takes effect January 1, 2022.
  ARTICLE 2. PUBLIC UTILITY COMMISSION OF TEXAS ABOLISHED; POWERS
  AND DUTIES TRANSFERRED TO TEXAS ENERGY AND COMMUNICATIONS
  COMMISSION
         SECTION 2.01.  (a)  The powers, duties, obligations,
  rights, contracts, records, employees, property, funds, and
  appropriations of the Public Utility Commission of Texas are
  transferred to the Texas Energy and Communications Commission on
  September 1, 2022, as provided by this section.
         (b)  The Railroad Commission of Texas and the Texas Energy
  and Communications Commission shall administer the transfer
  described by Subsection (a) of this section. The Public Utility
  Commission of Texas shall cooperate with and assist in the transfer
  planning and administration.
         (c)  The Railroad Commission of Texas and the Texas Energy
  and Communications Commission shall ensure that the transfer
  described by Subsection (a) of this section does not adversely
  affect a proceeding pending before the Public Utility Commission of
  Texas or the rights of the parties to the proceeding.
         (d)  After the transfer has been completed, the Texas Energy
  and Communications Commission shall prepare a written report
  detailing the specifics of the transfer described by Subsection (a)
  of this section and shall submit the report to the governor and the
  legislature.
         SECTION 2.02.  On September 1, 2022:
               (1)  all powers, duties, functions, programs, and
  activities of the Public Utility Commission of Texas are
  transferred to the Texas Energy and Communications Commission;
               (2)  all obligations, rights, contracts, records, and
  property in the custody of the Public Utility Commission of Texas
  and all funds appropriated by the legislature to the Public Utility
  Commission of Texas are transferred to the Texas Energy and
  Communications Commission;
               (3)  all employees of the Public Utility Commission of
  Texas become employees of the Texas Energy and Communications
  Commission, to be assigned duties by the Texas Energy and
  Communications Commission;
               (4)  the Public Utility Commission of Texas is
  abolished; and
               (5)  a reference in law to the Public Utility
  Commission of Texas means the Texas Energy and Communications
  Commission.
         SECTION 2.03.  (a)  On September 1, 2022, a rule, policy,
  procedure, decision, or form adopted by the Public Utility
  Commission of Texas that relates to the regulation of the electric
  or telecommunications industries is a rule, policy, procedure,
  decision, or form of the Texas Energy and Communications Commission
  and remains in effect until altered by the Texas Energy and
  Communications Commission. The secretary of state may adopt rules
  as necessary to expedite the implementation of this subsection.
         (b)  On September 1, 2022, a rule, policy, procedure,
  decision, or form of the Public Utility Commission of Texas that
  relates to the management and daily operation of the Public Utility
  Commission of Texas, to the extent of any conflict, is superseded by
  the rules, policies, procedures, decisions, and forms of the Texas
  Energy and Communications Commission relating to the management and
  daily operation of the Texas Energy and Communications Commission.
         SECTION 2.04.  (a)  The abolition of the Public Utility
  Commission of Texas and the transfer of its powers, duties,
  functions, programs, activities, obligations, rights, contracts,
  records, property, funds, and employees to the Texas Energy and
  Communications Commission does not affect or impair an act done,
  any obligation, right, order, permit, certificate, rule,
  criterion, standard, or requirement existing, any investigation
  begun, or any penalty accrued under former law, and that law remains
  in effect for any action concerning those matters.
         (b)  An action brought or proceeding commenced before the
  effective date of a transfer prescribed by this Act, including a
  contested case or a remand of an action or proceeding by a reviewing
  court, is governed by the laws and rules applicable to the action or
  proceeding before the transfer.
  ARTICLE 3. CONFORMING AMENDMENTS
         SECTION 3.01.  Section 11.002(c), Utilities Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         (c)  Significant changes have occurred in the
  telecommunications and electric power industries since the Public
  Utility Regulatory Act was originally adopted. Changes in
  technology and market structure have increased the need for minimum
  standards of service quality, customer service, and fair business
  practices to ensure high-quality service to customers and a healthy
  marketplace where competition is permitted by law. It is the
  purpose of this title to grant the Texas Energy and Communications
  [Public Utility] Commission [of Texas] authority to make and
  enforce rules necessary to protect customers of telecommunications
  and electric services consistent with the public interest.
         SECTION 3.02.  Sections 11.003(4) and (5), Utilities Code,
  are amended to read as follows:
               (4)  "Commission" means the Texas Energy and
  Communications [Public Utility] Commission [of Texas].
               (5)  "Commissioner" means a member of the Texas Energy
  and Communications [Public Utility] Commission [of Texas].
         SECTION 3.03.  Section 12.001, Utilities Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         Sec. 12.001.  TEXAS ENERGY AND COMMUNICATIONS [PUBLIC
  UTILITY] COMMISSION [OF TEXAS]. The Texas Energy and
  Communications [Public Utility] Commission [of Texas] exercises
  the jurisdiction and powers conferred by this title.
         SECTION 3.04.  Section 12.201, Utilities Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         Sec. 12.201.  PUBLIC INTEREST INFORMATION. (a) The
  commission shall prepare information of public interest describing
  the functions of the commission under this title and the
  commission's procedures by which a complaint concerning a matter
  subject to this title is filed with and resolved by the commission.
  The commission shall make the information available to the public
  and appropriate state agencies.
         (b)  The commission by rule shall establish methods by which
  consumers and service recipients are notified of the name, mailing
  address, and telephone number of the commission for the purpose of
  directing [complaints] to the commission complaints concerning a
  matter subject to this title.
         SECTION 3.05.  Sections 12.202(a) and (c), Utilities Code,
  are amended to read as follows:
         (a)  The commission shall develop and implement policies
  that provide the public with a reasonable opportunity to appear
  before the commission and to speak on any issue under the
  jurisdiction of the commission under this title.
         (c)  The commission shall prepare and maintain a written plan
  that describes how a person who does not speak English may be
  provided reasonable access to the commission's programs and
  services under this title.
         SECTION 3.06.  Section 12.203(a), Utilities Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         (a)  The commission shall prepare annually a complete and
  detailed written report accounting for all funds received and
  disbursed by the commission under this title during the preceding
  fiscal year. The annual report must meet the reporting
  requirements applicable to financial reporting in the General
  Appropriations Act.
         SECTION 3.07.  Section 12.204, Utilities Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         Sec. 12.204.  INTERNET FOR HEARINGS AND MEETINGS. The
  commission shall make publicly accessible without charge live
  Internet video of all public hearings and meetings the commission
  holds under this title for viewing from the Internet website found
  at http://www.puc.state.tx.us. The commission may recover the
  costs of administering this section by imposing an assessment
  against a:
               (1)  public utility;
               (2)  corporation described by Section 32.053;
               (3)  retail electric provider that serves more than
  250,000 customers; or
               (4)  power generation company that owns more than 5,000
  megawatts of installed capacity in this state.
         SECTION 3.08.  Section 14.002, Utilities Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         Sec. 14.002.  RULES. The commission shall adopt and enforce
  rules reasonably required in the exercise of its powers and
  jurisdiction under this title.
         SECTION 3.09.  Sections 14.0025(a) and (b), Utilities Code,
  are amended to read as follows:
         (a)  The commission shall develop and implement a policy to
  encourage the use of:
               (1)  negotiated rulemaking procedures under Chapter
  2008, Government Code, for the adoption of commission rules under
  this title; and
               (2)  appropriate alternative dispute resolution
  procedures under Chapter 2009, Government Code, to assist in the
  resolution of internal and external disputes under the commission's
  jurisdiction under this title.
         (b)  The commission's procedures relating to alternative
  dispute resolution under this title must conform, to the extent
  possible, to any model guidelines issued by the State Office of
  Administrative Hearings for the use of alternative dispute
  resolution by state agencies.
         SECTION 3.10.  Section 14.006, Utilities Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         Sec. 14.006.  INTERFERENCE WITH TERMS OR CONDITIONS OF
  EMPLOYMENT; PRESUMPTION OF REASONABLENESS. In exercising its
  jurisdiction under this title, the [The] commission may not
  interfere with employee wages and benefits, working conditions, or
  other terms or conditions of employment that are the product of a
  collective bargaining agreement recognized under federal law. An
  employee wage rate or benefit that is the product of the collective
  bargaining is presumed to be reasonable.
         SECTION 3.11.  Section 14.007, Utilities Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         Sec. 14.007.  ASSISTANCE TO MUNICIPALITY. On request by the
  governing body of a municipality, the commission may provide
  commission employees as necessary to advise and consult with the
  municipality on a [pending] matter pending under this title.
         SECTION 3.12.  Section 14.051, Utilities Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         Sec. 14.051.  PROCEDURAL POWERS. In exercising its
  jurisdiction under this title, the [The] commission may:
               (1)  call and hold a hearing;
               (2)  administer an oath;
               (3)  receive evidence at a hearing;
               (4)  issue a subpoena to compel the attendance of a
  witness or the production of a document; and
               (5)  make findings of fact and decisions to administer
  this title or a rule, order, or other action of the commission.
         SECTION 3.13. Sections 14.052(a) and (b), Utilities Code,
  are amended to read as follows:
         (a)  The commission shall adopt and enforce rules governing
  practice and procedure before the commission under this title and,
  as applicable, practice and procedure before the utility division
  of the State Office of Administrative Hearings under this title.
         (b)  The commission shall adopt rules that authorize an
  administrative law judge acting under this title to:
               (1)  limit the amount of time that a party may have to
  present its case;
               (2)  limit the number of requests for information that
  a party may make in a contested case;
               (3)  require a party to a contested case to identify
  contested issues and facts before the hearing begins;
               (4)  limit cross-examination to only those issues and
  facts identified before the hearing and to any new issues that may
  arise as a result of the discovery process; and
               (5)  group parties, other than the office, that have
  the same position on an issue to facilitate cross-examination on
  that issue.
         SECTION 3.14.  Sections 14.053(a) and (b), Utilities Code,
  are amended to read as follows:
         (a)  The utility division of the State Office of
  Administrative Hearings shall conduct each hearing in a contested
  case under this title that is not conducted by one or more
  commissioners.
         (b)  The commission may delegate to the utility division of
  the State Office of Administrative Hearings the authority to make a
  final decision and to issue findings of fact, conclusions of law,
  and other necessary orders in a proceeding under this title in which
  there is not a contested issue of fact or law.
         SECTION 3.15.  Section 14.054(a), Utilities Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         (a)  The commission by rule shall adopt procedures governing
  the use of settlements to resolve contested cases under this title.
         SECTION 3.16.  Sections 14.057(a) and (b), Utilities Code,
  are amended to read as follows:
         (a)  A commission order under this title must be in writing
  and contain detailed findings of the facts on which it is passed.
         (b)  The commission shall retain a copy of the transcript and
  the exhibits in any matter in which the commission issues an order
  under this title.
         SECTION 3.17.  Section 15.001, Utilities Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         Sec. 15.001.  RIGHT TO JUDICIAL REVIEW. Any party to a
  proceeding before the commission under this title is entitled to
  judicial review under the substantial evidence rule.
         SECTION 3.18.  Section 15.002, Utilities Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         Sec. 15.002.  COMMISSION AS DEFENDANT. The commission must
  be a defendant in a proceeding for judicial review under this title.
         SECTION 3.19.  Section 15.003(a), Utilities Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         (a)  A party represented by counsel who alleges that existing
  rates are excessive or that rates prescribed by the commission are
  excessive and who prevails in a proceeding for review of a
  commission order or decision under this title is entitled in the
  same action to recover against the regulation fund reasonable fees
  for attorneys and expert witnesses and other costs for the party's
  efforts before the commission and the court.
         SECTION 3.20.  Section 15.004, Utilities Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         Sec. 15.004.  JUDICIAL STAY OR SUSPENSION. While an appeal
  of an order, ruling, or decision of a regulatory authority under
  this title is pending, the district court, court of appeals, or
  supreme court, as appropriate, may stay or suspend all or part of
  the operation of the order, ruling, or decision. In granting or
  refusing a stay or suspension, the court shall act in accordance
  with the practice of a court exercising equity jurisdiction.
         SECTION 3.21.  Section 15.022, Utilities Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         Sec. 15.022.  CONTEMPT. The commission may file a court
  action for contempt against a person who:
               (1)  fails to comply with a lawful order of the
  commission under this title;
               (2)  fails to comply with a subpoena or subpoena duces
  tecum issued under this title; or
               (3)  refuses to testify about a matter that is subject
  to the commission's jurisdiction under this title and on which the
  person may be lawfully interrogated.
         SECTION 3.22.  Sections 15.024(a), (b), (d), (e), and (f),
  Utilities Code, are amended to read as follows:
         (a)  If the commission [executive director] determines that
  a violation of this title or a rule or order adopted under this
  title has occurred, the commission [executive director] may issue
  [to the commission] a report that states:
               (1)  the facts on which the determination is based;
               (2)  whether [and] the commission proposes to impose
  [executive director's recommendation on the imposition of] an
  administrative penalty; and
               (3)  if a penalty is proposed, [including a
  recommendation on] the amount of the proposed penalty.
         (b)  Not later than the 14th day after the date the report is
  issued, the commission [executive director] shall give written
  notice of the report to the person against whom the penalty may be
  imposed [assessed]. The notice may be given by certified mail. The
  notice must:
               (1)  include a brief summary of the alleged violation;
               (2)  state the amount of the proposed [recommended]
  penalty; and
               (3)  inform the person that the person has a right to a
  hearing on the occurrence of the violation, the amount of the
  penalty, or both the occurrence of the violation and the amount of
  the penalty.
         (d)  Not later than the 20th day after the date the person
  receives the notice, the person may accept the determination and
  proposed [recommended] penalty of the commission [executive
  director] in writing or may make a written request for a hearing on
  the occurrence of the violation, the amount of the penalty, or both
  the occurrence of the violation and the amount of the penalty.
         (e)  If the person accepts the commission's [executive
  director's] determination and proposed [recommended] penalty, the
  commission by order shall approve the determination and impose the
  proposed [recommended] penalty.
         (f)  If the person requests a hearing or fails to timely
  respond to the notice, the commission [executive director] shall
  set a hearing and give notice of the hearing to the person. The
  hearing shall be held by an administrative law judge of the State
  Office of Administrative Hearings. The administrative law judge
  shall make findings of fact and conclusions of law and promptly
  issue to the commission a proposal for a decision about the
  occurrence of the violation and the amount of a proposed penalty.
  Based on the findings of fact, conclusions of law, and proposal for
  a decision, the commission by order may find that a violation has
  occurred and impose a penalty or may find that no violation
  occurred.
         SECTION 3.23.  Section 15.025, Utilities Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         Sec. 15.025.  PAYMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE PENALTY. (a) Not
  later than the 30th day after the date the commission's order
  imposing an administrative penalty under this subchapter is final
  as provided by Section 2001.144, Government Code, the person shall:
               (1)  pay the amount of the penalty;
               (2)  pay the amount of the penalty and file a petition
  for judicial review contesting:
                     (A)  the occurrence of the violation;
                     (B)  the amount of the penalty; or
                     (C)  both the occurrence of the violation and the
  amount of the penalty; or
               (3)  without paying the amount of the penalty, file a
  petition for judicial review contesting:
                     (A)  the occurrence of the violation;
                     (B)  the amount of the penalty; or
                     (C)  both the occurrence of the violation and the
  amount of the penalty.
         (b)  Not later than the 30th day after the date the
  commission's order is final as provided by Section 2001.144,
  Government Code, a person who acts under Subsection (a)(3) may:
               (1)  stay enforcement of the penalty by:
                     (A)  paying the amount of the penalty to the court
  for placement in an escrow account; or
                     (B)  giving to the court a supersedeas bond that
  is approved by the court for the amount of the penalty and that is
  effective until all judicial review of the commission's order is
  final; or
               (2)  request the court to stay enforcement of the
  penalty by:
                     (A)  filing with the court a sworn affidavit of
  the person stating that the person is financially unable to pay the
  amount of the penalty and is financially unable to give the
  supersedeas bond; and
                     (B)  giving a copy of the affidavit to the
  commission [executive director] by certified mail.
         (c)  The commission [executive director], on receipt of a
  copy of an affidavit under Subsection (b)(2), may file with the
  court, not later than the fifth day after the date the copy is
  received, a contest to the affidavit. The court shall hold a
  hearing on the facts alleged in the affidavit as soon as practicable
  and shall stay the enforcement of the penalty on finding that the
  alleged facts are true. The person who files an affidavit has the
  burden of proving that the person is financially unable to pay the
  amount of the penalty and to give a supersedeas bond.
         (d)  If the person does not pay the amount of the penalty and
  the enforcement of the penalty is not stayed, the commission
  [executive director] may refer the matter to the attorney general
  for collection of the amount of the penalty.
         SECTION 3.24.  Section 15.026(a), Utilities Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         (a)  Judicial review of a commission order imposing an
  administrative penalty under this subchapter is:
               (1)  instituted by filing a petition as provided by
  Subchapter G, Chapter 2001, Government Code; and
               (2)  under the substantial evidence rule.
         SECTION 3.25.  Section 15.027(c), Utilities Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         (c)  The commission [executive director] may delegate any
  power or duty relating to an administrative penalty given the
  commission [executive director] by this subchapter to a person
  designated by the commission [executive director].
         SECTION 3.26.  Sections 15.051(b) and (c), Utilities Code,
  are amended to read as follows:
         (b)  The commission shall keep for a reasonable period
  information about each complaint filed with the commission that the
  commission has authority to resolve under this title. The
  information shall include:
               (1)  the date the complaint is received;
               (2)  the name of the complainant;
               (3)  the subject matter of the complaint;
               (4)  a record of each person contacted in relation to
  the complaint;
               (5)  a summary of the results of the review or
  investigation of the complaint; and
               (6)  if the commission took no action on the complaint,
  an explanation of the reason the complaint was closed without
  action.
         (c)  The commission shall keep a file about each written
  complaint filed with the commission that the commission has
  authority to resolve under this title. The commission shall
  provide to the person filing the complaint and to each person or
  entity complained about information concerning the commission's
  policies and procedures on complaint investigation and resolution.
  The commission, at least quarterly and until final disposition of
  the complaint, shall notify the person filing the complaint and
  each person or entity complained about of the status of the
  complaint unless the notice would jeopardize an undercover
  investigation.
         SECTION 3.27.  Section 39.157(d), Utilities Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         (d)  Not later than January 10, 2000, the commission shall
  adopt rules and enforcement procedures to govern transactions or
  activities between a transmission and distribution utility and its
  competitive affiliates to avoid potential market power abuses and
  cross-subsidizations between regulated and competitive activities
  both during the transition to and after the introduction of
  competition. Nothing in this subsection is intended to affect or
  modify the obligations or duties relating to any rules or standards
  of conduct that may apply to a utility or the utility's affiliates
  under orders or regulations of the Federal Energy Regulatory
  Commission or the Securities and Exchange Commission. A utility
  that is subject to statutes or regulations in other states that
  conflict with a provision of this section may petition the
  commission for a waiver of the conflicting provision on a showing of
  good cause. The rules adopted under this section shall ensure that:
               (1)  a utility makes any products and services, other
  than corporate support services, that it provides to a competitive
  affiliate available, contemporaneously and in the same manner, to
  the competitive affiliate's competitors and applies its tariffs,
  prices, terms, conditions, and discounts for those products and
  services in the same manner to all similarly situated entities;
               (2)  a utility does not:
                     (A)  give a competitive affiliate or a competitive
  affiliate's customers any preferential advantage, access, or
  treatment regarding services other than corporate support
  services; or
                     (B)  act in a manner that is discriminatory or
  anticompetitive with respect to a nonaffiliated competitor of a
  competitive affiliate;
               (3)  a utility providing electric transmission or
  distribution services:
                     (A)  provides those services on nondiscriminatory
  terms and conditions;
                     (B)  does not establish as a condition for the
  provision of those services the purchase of other goods or services
  from the utility or the competitive affiliate; and
                     (C)  does not provide competitive affiliates
  preferential access to the utility's transmission and distribution
  systems or to information about those systems;
               (4)  a utility does not release any proprietary
  customer information to a competitive affiliate or any other
  entity, other than an independent organization as defined by
  Section 39.151 or a provider of corporate support services for the
  purposes of providing the services, without obtaining prior
  verifiable authorization, as determined from the commission, from
  the customer;
               (5)  a utility does not:
                     (A)  communicate with a current or potential
  customer about products or services offered by a competitive
  affiliate in a manner that favors a competitive affiliate; or
                     (B)  allow a competitive affiliate, before
  September 1, 2005, to use the utility's corporate name, trademark,
  brand, or logo unless the competitive affiliate includes on
  employee business cards and in its advertisements of specific
  services to existing or potential residential or small commercial
  customers located [locating] within the utility's certificated
  service area a disclaimer that states, "(Name of competitive
  affiliate) is not the same company as (name of utility) and is not
  regulated by the Texas Energy and Communications [Public Utility]
  Commission [of Texas], and you do not have to buy (name of
  competitive affiliate)'s products to continue to receive quality
  regulated services from (name of utility).";
               (6)  a utility does not conduct joint advertising or
  promotional activities with a competitive affiliate in a manner
  that favors the competitive affiliate;
               (7)  a utility is a separate, independent entity from
  any competitive affiliates and, except as provided by Subdivisions
  (8) and (9), does not share employees, facilities, information, or
  other resources, other than permissible corporate support
  services, with those competitive affiliates unless the utility can
  prove to the commission that the sharing will not compromise the
  public interest;
               (8)  a utility's office space is physically separated
  from the office space of the utility's competitive affiliates by
  being located in separate buildings or, if within the same
  building, by a method such as having the offices on separate floors
  or with separate access, unless otherwise approved by the
  commission;
               (9)  a utility and a competitive affiliate:
                     (A)  may, to the extent the utility implements
  adequate safeguards precluding employees of a competitive
  affiliate from gaining access to information in a manner
  inconsistent with Subsection (g) or (i), share common officers and
  directors, property, equipment, offices to the extent consistent
  with Subdivision (8), credit, investment, or financing
  arrangements to the extent consistent with Subdivision (17),
  computer systems, information systems, and corporate support
  services; and
                     (B)  are not required to enter into prior written
  contracts or competitive solicitations for non-tariffed
  transactions between the utility and the competitive affiliate,
  except that the commission by rule may require the utility and the
  competitive affiliate to enter into prior written contracts or
  competitive solicitations for certain classes of transactions,
  other than corporate support services, that have a per unit value of
  more than $75,000 or that total more than $1 million;
               (10)  a utility does not temporarily assign, for less
  than one year, employees engaged in transmission or distribution
  system operations to a competitive affiliate unless the employee
  does not have knowledge of information that is intended to be
  protected under this section;
               (11)  a utility does not subsidize the business
  activities of an affiliate with revenues from a regulated service;
               (12)  a utility and its affiliates fully allocate costs
  for any shared services, corporate support services, and other
  items described by Subdivisions (8) and (9);
               (13)  a utility and its affiliates keep separate books
  of accounts and records and the commission may review records
  relating to a transaction between a utility and an affiliate;
               (14)  assets transferred or services provided between a
  utility and an affiliate, other than transfers that facilitate
  unbundling under Section 39.051 or asset valuation under Section
  39.262, are priced at a level that is fair and reasonable to the
  customers of the utility and reflects the market value of the assets
  or services or the utility's fully allocated cost to provide those
  assets or services;
               (15)  regulated services that a utility provides on a
  routine or recurring basis are included in a tariff that is subject
  to commission approval;
               (16)  each transaction between a utility and a
  competitive affiliate is conducted at arm's length; and
               (17)  a utility does not allow an affiliate to obtain
  credit under an arrangement that would include a specific pledge of
  assets in the rate base of the utility or a pledge of cash
  reasonably necessary for utility operations.
         SECTION 3.28.  Section 163.123, Utilities Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         Sec. 163.123.  AUTHORITY OF TEXAS ENERGY AND COMMUNICATIONS
  [PUBLIC UTILITY] COMMISSION. A joint powers agency created under
  this subchapter is:
               (1)  subject to all applicable provisions of Title 2;
  and
               (2)  under the jurisdiction of the Texas Energy and
  Communications [Public Utility] Commission [of Texas] as provided
  by Title 2.
         SECTION 3.29.  Section 183.001(1), Utilities Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
               (1)  "Commission" means the Texas Energy and
  Communications [Public Utility] Commission [of Texas].
         SECTION 3.30.  Section 184.001, Utilities Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         Sec. 184.001.  DEFINITION. In this chapter, "commission"
  means the Texas Energy and Communications [Public Utility]
  Commission [of Texas].
         SECTION 3.31.  Section 185.001(1), Utilities Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
               (1)  "Commission" means the Texas Energy and
  Communications [Public Utility] Commission [of Texas].
         SECTION 3.32.  Section 22.003(d), Agriculture Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (d)  The Texas Energy and Communications [Public Utility]
  Commission [of Texas] and the Texas Commission on Environmental
  Quality shall assist the department as necessary to enable the
  department to determine whether a facility meets the requirements
  of Subsection (b) for purposes of the eligibility of farmers,
  loggers, diverters, and renewable biomass aggregators and bio-coal
  fuel producers for grants under this chapter.
         SECTION 3.33.  Section 22.007, Agriculture Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         Sec. 22.007.  RULES. The commissioner, in consultation with
  the Texas Energy and Communications [Public Utility] Commission [of
  Texas] and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, shall
  adopt rules to implement this chapter.
         SECTION 3.34.  Section 50D.011(a), Agriculture Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  The policy council is composed of the following 17 [18]
  members:
               (1)  the commissioner, who serves as chair of the
  policy council;
               (2)  one representative of the Texas Energy and
  Communications [Railroad] Commission [of Texas] designated by the
  commission;
               (3)  one representative of the Texas Commission on
  Environmental Quality designated by the commission;
               (4)  [one representative of the Public Utility
  Commission of Texas designated by the commission;
               [(5)]  one representative of the Texas Water
  Development Board designated by the board;
               (5) [(6)]  the chancellor of The Texas A&M University
  System, or the person designated by the chancellor;
               (6) [(7)]  the chancellor of the Texas Tech University
  System, or the person designated by the chancellor;
               (7) [(8)]  the chancellor of The University of Texas
  System, or the person designated by the chancellor;
               (8) [(9)]  one member of the senate appointed by the
  lieutenant governor;
               (9) [(10)]  one member of the house of representatives
  appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives; and
               (10) [(11)]  eight members appointed by the governor,
  with each of the following industries or groups represented by one
  member:
                     (A)  research and development of feedstock and
  feedstock production;
                     (B)  retail distribution of energy;
                     (C)  transportation of biomass feedstock;
                     (D)  agricultural production for bioenergy
  production or agricultural waste used for production of bioenergy;
                     (E)  production of biodiesel from nonfood
  feedstocks;
                     (F)  production of ethanol from nonfood
  feedstocks;
                     (G)  bio-based electricity generation; and
                     (H)  chemical manufacturing.
         SECTION 3.35.  Section 50D.021(a), Agriculture Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  The research committee is composed of the following 15
  [16] members:
               (1)  the commissioner or the person designated by the
  commissioner, who serves as the chair of the research committee;
               (2)  one representative of the Texas Energy and
  Communications [Railroad] Commission [of Texas] designated by the
  commission;
               (3)  one representative of the Texas Commission on
  Environmental Quality designated by the commission;
               (4)  [one representative of the Public Utility
  Commission of Texas designated by the commission;
               [(5)]  one representative of the Texas Water
  Development Board designated by the board;
               (5) [(6)]  one researcher or specialist in the
  bioenergy field from each of the following university systems,
  appointed by the chancellor of the system:
                     (A)  The Texas A&M University System;
                     (B)  the Texas Tech University System; and
                     (C)  The University of Texas System; and
               (6) [(7)]  eight members, with a member appointed by
  each policy council member appointed by the governor under Section
  50D.011(a)(10) [50D.011(a)(11)].
         SECTION 3.36.  Section 302.053, Business & Commerce Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 302.053.  EXEMPTION: PERSONS REGULATED BY OTHER LAW.
  This chapter does not apply to:
               (1)  a person offering or selling a security that has
  been qualified for sale under Section 7, The Securities Act
  (Article 581-7, Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes), or that is subject
  to an exemption under Section 5 or 6 of that Act;
               (2)  a publicly traded corporation registered with the
  Securities and Exchange Commission or the State Securities Board,
  or a subsidiary or agent of the corporation;
               (3)  a person who holds a license issued under the
  Insurance Code if the solicited transaction is governed by that
  code;
               (4)  a supervised financial institution or a parent, a
  subsidiary, or an affiliate of a supervised financial institution;
               (5)  a person whose business is regulated by the Texas
  Energy and Communications [Public Utility] Commission under Title 2
  or 4, Utilities Code, [of Texas] or an affiliate of that person,
  except that this chapter applies to such a person or affiliate only
  with respect to one or more automated dial announcing devices;
               (6)  a person subject to the control or licensing
  regulations of the Federal Communications Commission;
               (7)  a person selling a contractual plan regulated by
  the Federal Trade Commission trade regulation on use of negative
  option plans by sellers in commerce under 16 C.F.R. Part 425;
               (8)  a person subject to filing requirements under
  Chapter 1803, Occupations Code; or
               (9)  a person who:
                     (A)  is soliciting a transaction regulated by the
  Commodity Futures Trading Commission; and
                     (B)  is registered or holds a temporary license
  for the activity described by Paragraph (A) with the Commodity
  Futures Trading Commission under the Commodity Exchange Act (7
  U.S.C. Section 1 et seq.), if the registration or license has not
  expired or been suspended or revoked.
         SECTION 3.37.  Section 304.002(2), Business & Commerce Code,
  is amended to read as follows:
               (2)  "Commission" means the Texas Energy and
  Communications [Public Utility] Commission [of Texas].
         SECTION 3.38.  Section 1(10), Article 18.21, Code of
  Criminal Procedure, is amended to read as follows:
               (10)  "Trap and trace device" means a device or process
  that records an incoming electronic or other impulse that
  identifies the originating number or other dialing, routing,
  addressing, or signaling information reasonably likely to identify
  the source of a wire or electronic communication, if the
  information does not include the contents of the communication. The
  term does not include a device or telecommunications network used
  in providing:
                     (A)  a caller identification service authorized
  by the Texas Energy and Communications [Public Utility] Commission
  [of Texas] under Subchapter E, Chapter 55, Utilities Code;
                     (B)  the services referenced in Section
  55.102(b), Utilities Code; or
                     (C)  a caller identification service provided by a
  commercial mobile radio service provider licensed by the Federal
  Communications Commission.
         SECTION 3.39.  Section 88.215(b), Education Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         (b)  The advisory committee consists of 11 members appointed
  as follows:
               (1)  one representative of Texas A & M University
  appointed by the director of [the] Texas AgriLife Research
  [Agricultural Experiment Station];
               (2)  one representative of Texas Tech University
  appointed by the dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences and
  Natural Resources [Agriculture] of Texas Tech University;
               (3)  one representative of The University of Texas
  appointed by the vice president for research of The University of
  Texas System;
               (4)  one representative of the Department of
  Agriculture appointed by the commissioner of agriculture;
               (5)  one representative of the Parks and Wildlife
  Department appointed by the director of the department;
               (6)  one representative of the Texas Energy and
  Communications [Public Utility] Commission [of Texas] appointed by
  the [executive director of the] commission;
               (7)  one representative of municipal governments
  appointed by the governor;
               (8)  one representative of the general public appointed
  by the governor;
               (9)  one representative of the agribusiness industry
  appointed by the governor;
               (10)  one representative of the chemical industry
  appointed by the Texas Chemical Council; and
               (11)  one representative of the oil and gas industry
  appointed by the Texas [Mid-Continent] Oil and Gas Association.
         SECTION 3.40.  Section 418.051(c), Government Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (c)  The communications coordination group consists of
  members selected by the division, including representatives of:
               (1)  the Texas military forces;
               (2)  the Department of Public Safety of the State of
  Texas;
               (3)  the Federal Emergency Management Agency;
               (4)  federal agencies that comprise Emergency Support
  Function No. 2;
               (5)  the telecommunications industry, including cable
  service providers, as defined by Section 66.002, Utilities Code;
               (6)  electric utilities, as defined by Section 31.002,
  Utilities Code;
               (7)  gas utilities, as defined by Sections 101.003 and
  121.001, Utilities Code;
               (8)  the National Guard's Joint Continental United
  States Communications Support Environment;
               (9)  the National Guard Bureau;
               (10)  amateur radio operator groups;
               (11)  the Texas Forest Service;
               (12)  the Texas Department of Transportation;
               (13)  the General Land Office;
               (14)  the Texas Engineering Extension Service of The
  Texas A&M University System;
               (15)  [the Public Utility Commission of Texas;
               [(16)]  the Texas Energy and Communications [Railroad]
  Commission [of Texas];
               (16) [(17)]  the Department of State Health Services;
               (17) [(18)]  the judicial branch of state government;
               (18) [(19)]  the Texas Association of Regional
  Councils;
               (19) [(20)]  the United States Air Force Auxiliary
  Civil Air Patrol, Texas Wing;
               (20) [(21)]  each trauma service area regional
  advisory council;
               (21) [(22)]  state agencies, counties, and
  municipalities affected by the emergency, including 9-1-1
  agencies; and
               (22) [(23)]  other agencies as determined by the
  division.
         SECTION 3.41.  Section 421.021(a), Government Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  The Homeland Security Council is composed of the
  governor or the governor's designee, the speaker of the house of
  representatives or the speaker's designee, the lieutenant governor
  or the lieutenant governor's designee, and one representative of
  each of the following entities, appointed by the single statewide
  elected or appointed governing officer, administrative head, or
  chair, as appropriate, of the entity:
               (1)  Department of Agriculture;
               (2)  office of the attorney general;
               (3)  General Land Office;
               (4)  Texas Energy and Communications [Public Utility]
  Commission [of Texas];
               (5)  Department of State Health Services;
               (6)  Department of Information Resources;
               (7)  Department of Public Safety of the State of Texas;
               (8)  Texas Division of Emergency Management;
               (9)  adjutant general's department;
               (10)  Texas Commission on Environmental Quality;
               (11)  [Railroad Commission of Texas;
               [(12)]  Texas Strategic Military Planning Commission;
               (12) [(13)]  Texas Department of Transportation;
               (13) [(14)]  Commission on State Emergency
  Communications;
               (14) [(15)]  Office of State-Federal Relations;
               (15) [(16)]  secretary of state;
               (16) [(17)]  Senate Committee on Transportation and
  Homeland Security;
               (17) [(18)]  House Committee on Defense and Veterans'
  Affairs;
               (18) [(19)]  Texas Animal Health Commission;
               (19) [(20)]  Texas Association of Regional Councils;
               (20) [(21)]  Texas Commission on Law Enforcement
  Officer Standards and Education;
               (21) [(22)]  state fire marshal's office;
               (22) [(23)]  Texas Education Agency;
               (23) [(24)]  Texas Commission on Fire Protection;
               (24) [(25)]  Parks and Wildlife Department;
               (25) [(26)]  Texas Forest Service; and
               (26) [(27)]  Texas Water Development Board.
         SECTION 3.42.  Section 447.006(g), Government Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (g)  The state energy conservation office may analyze the
  rates for electricity charged to and the amount of electricity used
  by state agencies and institutions of higher education to determine
  ways the state could obtain lower rates and use less electricity.
  Each state agency, including the Texas Energy and Communications
  [Public Utility] Commission [of Texas], and institution of higher
  education shall assist the office in obtaining the information the
  office needs to perform its analysis.
         SECTION 3.43.  Section 487.054(a), Government Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  At least once each year, the following agency heads or
  their designees shall meet in Austin to discuss rural issues and to
  provide information showing the impact each agency has on rural
  communities for use in developing rural policy and compiling the
  annual report under Section 487.051(a)(5):
               (1)  the commissioner of agriculture;
               (2)  a member [the executive director] of the Texas
  Energy and Communications [Public Utility] Commission [of Texas];
               (3)  the director of the Texas AgriLife [Agricultural]
  Extension Service;
               (4)  the executive director of the Texas Department of
  Housing and Community Affairs;
               (5)  the commissioner of the Department of State Health
  Services;
               (6)  the executive administrator of the Texas Water
  Development Board;
               (7)  the executive director of the Parks and Wildlife
  Department;
               (8)  the commissioner of higher education;
               (9)  the comptroller;
               (10)  the executive director of the Texas Department of
  Transportation;
               (11)  the executive director of the Texas Commission on
  Environmental Quality;
               (12)  [the executive director of the Texas Economic
  Development and Tourism Office;
               [(13)]  the commissioner of insurance;
               (13) [(14)]  the commissioner of the Department of
  Aging and Disability Services;
               (14) [(15)]   the commissioner of education;
               (15) [(16)]  the executive commissioner of the Health
  and Human Services Commission;
               (16) [(17)]  the executive director of the Texas
  Workforce Commission;
               (17) [(18)]  the executive director of the Texas
  Historical Commission;
               (18) [(19)  a member of the Railroad Commission of
  Texas;
               [(20)]  the executive director of the State Soil and
  Water Conservation Board;
               (19) [(21)]  the executive director of the department;
  and
               (20) [(22)]  the head of any other agency interested in
  rural issues.
         SECTION 3.44.  Section 551.086(b)(3), Government Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
               (3)  "Competitive matter" means a utility-related
  matter that the public power utility governing body in good faith
  determines by a vote under this section is related to the public
  power utility's competitive activity, including commercial
  information, and would, if disclosed, give advantage to competitors
  or prospective competitors but may not be deemed to include the
  following categories of information:
                     (A)  information relating to the provision of
  distribution access service, including the terms and conditions of
  the service and the rates charged for the service but not including
  information concerning utility-related services or products that
  are competitive;
                     (B)  information relating to the provision of
  transmission service that is required to be filed with the Texas
  Energy and Communications [Public Utility] Commission [of Texas],
  subject to any confidentiality provided for under the rules of the
  commission;
                     (C)  information for the distribution system
  pertaining to reliability and continuity of service, to the extent
  not security-sensitive, that relates to emergency management,
  identification of critical loads such as hospitals and police,
  records of interruption, and distribution feeder standards;
                     (D)  any substantive rule of general
  applicability regarding service offerings, service regulation,
  customer protections, or customer service adopted by the public
  power utility as authorized by law;
                     (E)  aggregate information reflecting receipts or
  expenditures of funds of the public power utility, of the type that
  would be included in audited financial statements;
                     (F)  information relating to equal employment
  opportunities for minority groups, as filed with local, state, or
  federal agencies;
                     (G)  information relating to the public power
  utility's performance in contracting with minority business
  entities;
                     (H)  information relating to nuclear
  decommissioning trust agreements, of the type required to be
  included in audited financial statements;
                     (I)  information relating to the amount and timing
  of any transfer to an owning city's general fund;
                     (J)  information relating to environmental
  compliance as required to be filed with any local, state, or
  national environmental authority, subject to any confidentiality
  provided under the rules of those authorities;
                     (K)  names of public officers of the public power
  utility and the voting records of those officers for all matters
  other than those within the scope of a competitive resolution
  provided for by this section;
                     (L)  a description of the public power utility's
  central and field organization, including the established places at
  which the public may obtain information, submit information and
  requests, or obtain decisions and the identification of employees
  from whom the public may obtain information, submit information or
  requests, or obtain decisions; or
                     (M)  information identifying the general course
  and method by which the public power utility's functions are
  channeled and determined, including the nature and requirements of
  all formal and informal policies and procedures.
         SECTION 3.45.  Section 552.133(a)(3), Government Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
               (3)  "Competitive matter" means a utility-related
  matter that the public power utility governing body in good faith
  determines by a vote under this section is related to the public
  power utility's competitive activity, including commercial
  information, and would, if disclosed, give advantage to competitors
  or prospective competitors but may not be deemed to include the
  following categories of information:
                     (A)  information relating to the provision of
  distribution access service, including the terms and conditions of
  the service and the rates charged for the service but not including
  information concerning utility-related services or products that
  are competitive;
                     (B)  information relating to the provision of
  transmission service that is required to be filed with the Texas
  Energy and Communications [Public Utility] Commission [of Texas],
  subject to any confidentiality provided for under the rules of the
  commission;
                     (C)  information for the distribution system
  pertaining to reliability and continuity of service, to the extent
  not security-sensitive, that relates to emergency management,
  identification of critical loads such as hospitals and police,
  records of interruption, and distribution feeder standards;
                     (D)  any substantive rule of general
  applicability regarding service offerings, service regulation,
  customer protections, or customer service adopted by the public
  power utility as authorized by law;
                     (E)  aggregate information reflecting receipts or
  expenditures of funds of the public power utility, of the type that
  would be included in audited financial statements;
                     (F)  information relating to equal employment
  opportunities for minority groups, as filed with local, state, or
  federal agencies;
                     (G)  information relating to the public power
  utility's performance in contracting with minority business
  entities;
                     (H)  information relating to nuclear
  decommissioning trust agreements, of the type required to be
  included in audited financial statements;
                     (I)  information relating to the amount and timing
  of any transfer to an owning city's general fund;
                     (J)  information relating to environmental
  compliance as required to be filed with any local, state, or
  national environmental authority, subject to any confidentiality
  provided under the rules of those authorities;
                     (K)  names of public officers of the public power
  utility and the voting records of those officers for all matters
  other than those within the scope of a competitive resolution
  provided for by this section;
                     (L)  a description of the public power utility's
  central and field organization, including the established places at
  which the public may obtain information, submit information and
  requests, or obtain decisions and the identification of employees
  from whom the public may obtain information, submit information or
  requests, or obtain decisions; or
                     (M)  information identifying the general course
  and method by which the public power utility's functions are
  channeled and determined, including the nature and requirements of
  all formal and informal policies and procedures.
         SECTION 3.46.  Section 555.051(a), Government Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  This section applies only to information held by or for
  the office of the attorney general, the Texas Department of
  Insurance, the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy, the Texas
  Energy and Communications [Public Utility] Commission [of Texas],
  the State Securities Board, the Department of Savings and Mortgage
  Lending, the Texas Real Estate Commission, the Texas Appraiser
  Licensing and Certification Board, the Texas Department of Banking,
  the credit union department, the Office of Consumer Credit
  Commissioner, or the Texas Department of Housing and Community
  Affairs that relates to the possible commission of corporate fraud
  or mortgage fraud by a person who is licensed or otherwise regulated
  by any of those state agencies. In this subsection, "corporate
  fraud" means a violation of state or federal law or rules relating
  to fraud committed by a corporation, limited liability company, or
  registered limited liability partnership or an officer, director,
  or partner of those entities while acting in a representative
  capacity.
         SECTION 3.47.  Section 572.003(c), Government Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (c)  The term means a member of:
               (1)  [the Public Utility Commission of Texas;
               [(2)  the Texas Department of Economic Development;
               [(3)]  the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality;
               (2) [(4)]  the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission;
               (3) [(5)]  The Finance Commission of Texas;
               (4) [(6)]  the Texas Facilities Commission;
               (5) [(7)]  the Texas Board of Criminal Justice;
               (6) [(8)]  the board of trustees of the Employees
  Retirement System of Texas;
               (7) [(9)]  the Texas Transportation Commission;
               (8) [(10)  the Texas Workers' Compensation Commission;
               [(11)]  the Texas Department of Insurance;
               (9) [(12)]  the Parks and Wildlife Commission;
               (10) [(13)]  the Public Safety Commission;
               (11) [(14)]  the Texas Ethics Commission;
               (12) [(15)]  the State Securities Board;
               (13) [(16)]  the Texas Water Development Board;
               (14) [(17)]  the governing board of a public senior
  college or university as defined by Section 61.003, Education Code,
  or of The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at
  Dallas, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, The
  University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, The
  University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, The
  University of Texas System M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, The
  University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler, University of
  North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth, Texas Tech
  University Health Sciences Center, Texas State Technical
  College--Harlingen, Texas State Technical College--Marshall, Texas
  State Technical College--Sweetwater, or Texas State Technical
  College--Waco;
               (15) [(18)]  the Texas Higher Education Coordinating
  Board;
               (16) [(19)]  the Texas Workforce Commission;
               (17) [(21)]  the board of trustees of the Teacher
  Retirement System of Texas;
               (18) [(22)]  the Credit Union Commission;
               (19) [(23)]  the School Land Board;
               (20) [(24)]  the board of the Texas Department of
  Housing and Community Affairs;
               (21) [(25)]  the Texas Racing Commission;
               (22) [(26)]  the State Board of Dental Examiners;
               (23) [(27)]  the Texas Medical [State] Board [of
  Medical Examiners];
               (24) [(28)]  the Board of Pardons and Paroles;
               (25) [(29)]  the Texas State Board of Pharmacy;
               (26) [(30)]  the Department of Information Resources
  governing board;
               (27) [(31)]  the Motor Vehicle Board;
               (28) [(32)]  the Texas Real Estate Commission;
               (29) [(33)]  the board of directors of the State Bar of
  Texas;
               (30) [(34)]  the bond review board;
               (31) [(35)]  the [Texas Board of] Health and Human
  Services Commission;
               (32) [(36)  the Texas Board of Mental Health and Mental
  Retardation;
               [(37)  the Texas Board on Aging;
               [(38)  the Texas Board of Human Services;
               [(39)]  the Texas Funeral Service Commission;
               (33) [(40)]  the board of directors of a river
  authority created under the Texas Constitution or a statute of this
  state; or
               (34) [(41)]  the Texas Lottery Commission.
         SECTION 3.48.  Section 660.203(a), Government Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  An individual is entitled to reimbursement for the
  actual expense of meals and lodging incurred while performing the
  duties of the individual's office or employment if the individual
  is:
               (1)  a judicial officer;
               (2)  a chief administrative officer of a state agency,
  subject to Subsection (c);
               (3)  the executive director of the Texas Legislative
  Council;
               (4)  the secretary of the senate;
               (5)  a member of the Texas [Natural Resource
  Conservation] Commission on Environmental Quality, the Texas
  Workforce Commission, the Texas Energy and Communications [Public
  Utility] Commission [of Texas], the Board of Pardons and Paroles,
  or the Sabine River Compact Administration; or
               (6)  a full-time member of a board and receives a salary
  from the state for service on that board.
         SECTION 3.49.  Sections 1232.1071(d) and (e), Government
  Code, are amended to read as follows:
         (d)  The Texas Energy and Communications [Public Utility]
  Commission [of Texas] shall provide necessary assistance to the
  authority to ensure the collection and enforcement of the
  nonbypassable charges, whether directly or by using the assistance
  and powers of the requesting member city.
         (e)  The authority and the Texas Energy and Communications
  [Public Utility] Commission [of Texas] have all powers necessary to
  perform the duties and responsibilities described by this section.
  This section shall be interpreted broadly in a manner consistent
  with the most cost-effective financing of stranded costs. To the
  extent possible, obligations or evidences of indebtedness issued by
  the authority under this section must be structured so that any
  interest on the obligations or evidences of indebtedness is
  excluded from gross income for federal income tax purposes. Any
  interest on the obligations or evidences of indebtedness is not
  subject to taxation by and may not be included as part of the
  measurement of a tax by this state or a political subdivision of
  this state.
         SECTION 3.50.  Section 2003.0421(c), Government Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (c)  This section applies to any contested case hearing
  conducted by the office, except hearings conducted on behalf of the
  Texas [Natural Resource Conservation] Commission on Environmental
  Quality or the Texas Energy and Communications [Public Utility]
  Commission [of Texas] which are governed by Sections 2003.047 and
  2003.049.
         SECTION 3.51.  Section 2003.049(a), Government Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  The office shall establish a utility division to perform
  the contested case hearings for the Texas Energy and Communications
  [Public Utility] Commission [of Texas] as prescribed by Title 2,
  Utilities Code, and Section 102.006, Utilities Code, [the Public
  Utility Regulatory Act of 1995] and other applicable law.
         SECTION 3.52.  Section 2007.003(b), Government Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (b)  This chapter does not apply to the following
  governmental actions:
               (1)  an action by a municipality except as provided by
  Subsection (a)(3);
               (2)  a lawful forfeiture or seizure of contraband as
  defined by Article 59.01, Code of Criminal Procedure;
               (3)  a lawful seizure of property as evidence of a crime
  or violation of law;
               (4)  an action, including an action of a political
  subdivision, that is reasonably taken to fulfill an obligation
  mandated by federal law or an action of a political subdivision that
  is reasonably taken to fulfill an obligation mandated by state law;
               (5)  the discontinuance or modification of a program or
  regulation that provides a unilateral expectation that does not
  rise to the level of a recognized interest in private real property;
               (6)  an action taken to prohibit or restrict a
  condition or use of private real property if the governmental
  entity proves that the condition or use constitutes a public or
  private nuisance as defined by background principles of nuisance
  and property law of this state;
               (7)  an action taken out of a reasonable good faith
  belief that the action is necessary to prevent a grave and immediate
  threat to life or property;
               (8)  a formal exercise of the power of eminent domain;
               (9)  an action taken under a state mandate to prevent
  waste of oil and gas, protect correlative rights of owners of
  interests in oil or gas, or prevent pollution related to oil and gas
  activities;
               (10)  a rule or proclamation adopted for the purpose of
  regulating water safety, hunting, fishing, or control of
  nonindigenous or exotic aquatic resources;
               (11)  an action taken by a political subdivision:
                     (A)  to regulate construction in an area
  designated under law as a floodplain;
                     (B)  to regulate on-site sewage facilities;
                     (C)  under the political subdivisions's statutory
  authority to prevent waste or protect rights of owners of interest
  in groundwater; or
                     (D)  to prevent subsidence;
               (12)  the appraisal of property for purposes of ad
  valorem taxation;
               (13)  an action that:
                     (A)  is taken in response to a real and
  substantial threat to public health and safety;
                     (B)  is designed to significantly advance the
  health and safety purpose; and
                     (C)  does not impose a greater burden than is
  necessary to achieve the health and safety purpose; or
               (14)  an action or rulemaking undertaken by the Texas
  Energy and Communications [Public Utility] Commission [of Texas] to
  order or require the location or placement of telecommunications
  equipment owned by another party on the premises of a certificated
  local exchange company.
         SECTION 3.53.  Section 2302.001(2), Government Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
               (2)  "Commission" means the Texas Energy and
  Communications [Public Utility] Commission [of Texas].
         SECTION 3.54.  Section 382.501(a), Health and Safety Code,
  as added by Chapter 1125 (H.B. 1796), Acts of the 81st Legislature,
  Regular Session, 2009, is amended to read as follows:
         (a)  The commission, [and] the Texas Energy and
  Communications [Railroad] Commission [of Texas], and the
  Department of Agriculture[, and the Public Utility Commission of
  Texas] shall jointly participate in the federal government process
  for developing federal greenhouse gas reporting requirements and
  the federal greenhouse gas registry requirements.
         SECTION 3.55.  Section 386.001(11), Health and Safety Code,
  is amended to read as follows:
               (11)  "Utility commission" means the Texas Energy and
  Communications [Public Utility] Commission [of Texas].
         SECTION 3.56.  Section 391.102(f), Health and Safety Code,
  is amended to read as follows:
         (f)  In coordinating interagency application review
  procedures, the commission shall:
               (1)  solicit review and comments from:
                     (A)  the comptroller to assess:
                           (i)  the financial stability of the
  applicant;
                           (ii)  the economic benefits and job creation
  potential associated with the project; and
                           (iii)  any other information related to the
  duties of that office; and
                     (B)  the Texas Energy and Communications [Public
  Utility] Commission [of Texas] to assess:
                           (i)  the reliability of the proposed
  technology;
                           (ii)  the feasibility and
  cost-effectiveness of electric transmission associated with the
  project; [and]
                           (iii)  [any other information related to the
  duties of that agency; and
                     [(C)  the Railroad Commission of Texas to assess:
                           [(i)]  the availability and cost of the fuel
  involved with the project; and
                           (iv) [(ii)]  any other information related
  to the duties of that agency;
               (2)  consider the comments received under Subdivision
  (1) in the commission's grant award decision process; and
               (3)  as part of the report required by Section 391.104,
  justify awards made to projects that have been negatively reviewed
  by agencies under Subdivision (1).
         SECTION 3.57.  Section 401.246(b), Health and Safety Code,
  is amended to read as follows:
         (b)  To the extent practicable, the commission shall use the
  methods used by the Texas Energy and Communications [Public
  Utility] Commission [of Texas] under Sections 36.051, 36.052, and
  36.053, Utilities Code, when establishing overall revenues,
  reasonable return, and invested capital for the purpose of setting
  fees under Subsection (a).
         SECTION 3.58.  Sections 771.001(5) and (11), Health and
  Safety Code, are amended to read as follows:
               (5)  "Local exchange service provider" means a
  telecommunications carrier providing telecommunications service in
  a local exchange service area under a certificate of public
  convenience and necessity issued by the Texas Energy and
  Communications [Public Utility] Commission [of Texas].
               (11)  "Business service" means a telecommunications
  service classified as a business service under rules adopted by the
  Texas Energy and Communications [Public Utility] Commission [of
  Texas] or under the applicable tariffs of the principal service
  supplier.
         SECTION 3.59.  Section 771.031(b), Health and Safety Code,
  is amended to read as follows:
         (b)  The following individuals serve as nonvoting ex officio
  members:
               (1)  the executive director of the Texas Energy and
  Communications [Public Utility] Commission [of Texas], or an
  individual designated by the executive director;
               (2)  the executive director of the Department of
  Information Resources, or an individual designated by the executive
  director; and
               (3)  the executive commissioner of the Health and Human
  Services Commission, or an individual designated by the executive
  commissioner.
         SECTION 3.60.  Section 771.0725, Health and Safety Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 771.0725.  ESTABLISHMENT OF RATES FOR FEES. (a)
  Subject to the applicable limitations prescribed by Sections
  771.071(b) and 771.072(b), (d), and (e), the Texas Energy and
  Communications [Public Utility] Commission [of Texas] shall
  monitor the establishment of:
               (1)  emergency service fees imposed under Section
  771.071; and
               (2)  the equalization surcharge imposed under Section
  771.072, including the allocation of revenue under Sections
  771.072(d) and (e).
         (b)  Each year the commission shall provide documentation to
  the Texas Energy and Communications [Public Utility] Commission [of
  Texas] regarding the rate at which each fee should be imposed and
  the allocation of revenue under Sections 771.072(d) and (e). The
  commission may provide such documentation more often under this
  subsection if the commission determines that action is necessary.
         (c)  The Texas Energy and Communications [Public Utility]
  Commission [of Texas] shall review the documentation provided by
  the commission as well as allocations derived therefrom and also
  identified by the commission. If the Texas Energy and
  Communications [Public Utility] Commission [of Texas] determines
  that a recommended rate or allocation is not appropriate, the Texas
  Energy and Communications [Public Utility] Commission [of Texas]
  shall provide comments to the commission, the governor, and the
  Legislative Budget Board regarding appropriate rates and the basis
  for that determination.
         (d)  The Texas Energy and Communications [Public Utility]
  Commission [of Texas] may review and make comments regarding a rate
  or allocation under this section in an informal proceeding. A
  proceeding in which a rate or allocation is reviewed is not a
  contested case for purposes of Chapter 2001, Government Code. A
  review of a rate or allocation is not a rate change for purposes of
  Chapter 36 or 53, Utilities Code.
         SECTION 3.61.  Section 771.076(c), Health and Safety Code,
  is amended to read as follows:
         (c)  At the request of the Texas Energy and Communications
  [Public Utility] Commission [of Texas], the state auditor may audit
  a regional planning commission or other public agency designated by
  the regional planning commission that receives money under this
  subchapter.
         SECTION 3.62.  Section 772.001(21), Health and Safety Code,
  is amended to read as follows:
               (21)  "Business service" means a telecommunications
  service classified as a business service under rules adopted by the
  Texas Energy and Communications [Public Utility] Commission [of
  Texas] or under the applicable tariffs of the principal service
  supplier.
         SECTION 3.63.  Section 772.002(e), Health and Safety Code,
  is amended to read as follows:
         (e)  The Texas Energy and Communications [Public Utility]
  Commission [of Texas] may impose an administrative penalty under
  Subchapter B, Chapter 15, Utilities Code, against a service
  provider who is a person regulated under the Utilities Code if the
  person:
               (1)  does not provide information required by a
  district under this section; or
               (2)  bills and collects a 9-1-1 emergency service fee
  as required by this chapter but does not remit the fee to the
  appropriate district.
         SECTION 3.64.  Section 246.001(1), Local Government Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
               (1)  "Commission" means the Texas Energy and
  Communications [Public Utility] Commission [of Texas].
         SECTION 3.65.  Section 283.002(3), Local Government Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
               (3)  "Commission" means the Texas Energy and
  Communications [Public Utility] Commission [of Texas].
         SECTION 3.66.  Section 304.001(f), Local Government Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (f)  A political subdivision corporation may appear on
  behalf of its incorporating political subdivisions before the Texas
  Energy and Communications [Public Utility] Commission [of Texas],
  [the Railroad Commission of Texas,] the Texas [Natural Resource
  Conservation] Commission on Environmental Quality, any other
  governmental agency or regulatory authority, the Texas
  Legislature, and the courts.
         SECTION 3.67.  Sections 33.2053(b) and (c), Natural
  Resources Code, are amended to read as follows:
         (b)  The Texas Energy and Communications [Public Utility]
  Commission [of Texas] shall comply with Sections 33.205(a) and (b)
  when issuing:
               (1)  a certificate of convenience and necessity;[.]
               (2) [(c)  The Railroad Commission of Texas shall comply
  with Sections 33.205(a) and (b) when issuing:
               [(1)]  a wastewater discharge permit;
               (3) [(2)]  a waste disposal or storage pit permit; or
               (4) [(3)]  a certification of a federal permit for the
  discharge of dredge or fill material.
         SECTION 3.68.  Section 81.01001, Natural Resources Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 81.01001.  SUNSET PROVISION. The Texas Energy and
  Communications [Railroad] Commission [of Texas] is subject to
  Chapter 325, Government Code (Texas Sunset Act). Unless continued
  in existence as provided by that chapter, the commission is
  abolished September 1, 2023 [2011].
         SECTION 3.69.  Section 81.01005, Natural Resources Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 81.01005.  NAME AND SEAL. (a) The commissioners are
  known collectively as the "Texas Energy and Communications
  ["Railroad] Commission [of Texas]."
         (b)  The seal of the commission contains a star of five
  points with the words "Texas Energy and Communications ["Railroad]
  Commission [of Texas]" engraved on it.
         SECTION 3.70.  Section 28.03(d), Penal Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         (d)  The terms "public communication, public transportation,
  public gas or power supply, or other public service" and "public
  water supply" shall mean, refer to, and include any such services
  subject to regulation by the Texas Energy and Communications
  [Public Utility] Commission [of Texas, the Railroad Commission of
  Texas,] or the Texas [Natural Resource Conservation] Commission on
  Environmental Quality or any such services enfranchised by the
  State of Texas or any political subdivision thereof.
         SECTION 3.71.  Section 8281.103, Special District Local Laws
  Code, as effective April 1, 2011, is amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 8281.103.  LIMITATION ON PROVIDING WATER TO CERTAIN
  USERS. Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, the
  district may not compete with the City of Mabank in providing water
  to household users unless the district receives permission from the
  Texas Energy and Communications [Public Utility] Commission [of
  Texas], with the consent of that city.
         SECTION 3.72.  Section 22.01(h), Tax Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         (h)  If the property that is the subject of the rendition is
  regulated by the Texas Energy and Communications [Public Utility]
  Commission [of Texas, the Railroad Commission of Texas], the
  federal Surface Transportation Board, or the Federal Energy
  Regulatory Commission, the owner of the property is considered to
  have complied with the requirements of this section if the owner
  provides to the chief appraiser, on written request of the chief
  appraiser, a copy of the annual regulatory report covering the
  property and sufficient information to enable the chief appraiser
  to allocate the value of the property among the appropriate taxing
  units for which the appraisal district appraises property.
         SECTION 3.73.  Section 301.004(c), Tax Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         (c)  In this section, "telephone company" means a person who
  owns or operates a telephone line or a telephone network in this
  state, charges for its use, and is regulated by the Texas Energy and
  Communications [Public Utility] Commission [of Texas] as a
  certificated provider of local exchange telephone service.
         SECTION 3.74.  Section 203.0922(g), Transportation Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (g)  This section or a contractual right obtained under an
  agreement under this section does not:
               (1)  make the department or a utility subject to new or
  additional licensing, certification, or regulatory jurisdiction of
  the Texas Energy and Communications [Public Utility] Commission or
  the [of Texas,] Texas Department of Insurance[, or Railroad
  Commission of Texas]; or
               (2)  supersede or otherwise affect a provision of
  another law applicable to the department or a utility regarding
  licensing, certification, or regulatory jurisdiction of an agency
  listed in Subdivision (1).
         SECTION 3.75.  Section 227.021(e), Transportation Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (e)  Nothing in this chapter, or any contractual right
  obtained under a contract with the department authorized by this
  chapter, supersedes or renders ineffective any provision of another
  law applicable to the owner or operator of a public utility
  facility, including any provision of the Utilities Code regarding
  licensing, certification, and regulatory jurisdiction of the Texas
  Energy and Communications [Public Utility] Commission [of Texas or
  Railroad Commission of Texas].
         SECTION 3.76.  Section 370.033(n), Transportation Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (n)  Nothing in this chapter or any contractual right
  obtained under a contract with an authority under this chapter
  supersedes or renders ineffective any provision of another law
  applicable to the owner or operator of a public utility facility,
  including any provision of the Utilities Code [utilities code]
  regarding licensing, certification, or regulatory jurisdiction of
  the Texas Energy and Communications [Public Utility] Commission [of
  Texas or the Railroad Commission of Texas].
         SECTION 3.77.  Section 370.181(e), Transportation Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (e)  Nothing in this chapter, or any contractual right
  obtained under a contract with an authority authorized by this
  chapter, supersedes or renders ineffective any provision of another
  law applicable to the owner or operator of a public utility
  facility, including any provision of the Utilities Code regarding
  licensing, certification, and regulatory jurisdiction of the Texas
  Energy and Communications [Public Utility] Commission [of Texas or
  Railroad Commission of Texas].
         SECTION 3.78.  Section 370.302(g), Transportation Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (g)  Nothing in this chapter, or any contractual right
  obtained under a contract with an authority authorized by this
  chapter, supersedes or renders ineffective any provision of another
  law applicable to the owner or operator of a public utility
  facility, including any provision of the Utilities Code regarding
  licensing, certification, and regulatory jurisdiction of the Texas
  Energy and Communications [Public Utility] Commission [of Texas or
  Railroad Commission of Texas].
         SECTION 3.79.  Section 452.065(b), Transportation Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (b)  The parties to a contract made under Subsection (a)(3)
  may fulfill the terms of the contract notwithstanding any order or
  rule of the Texas Energy and Communications [Public Utility]
  Commission [of Texas] with respect to certification, except that
  any supply of power or energy by one utility into the service area
  of another utility must be provided over transmission or
  distribution lines owned by the authority.
         SECTION 3.80.  Sections 13.1396(b), (c), and (f), Water
  Code, are amended to read as follows:
         (b)  An affected utility shall submit to the county judge,
  the office of emergency management of each county in which the
  utility has more than one customer, the Texas Energy and
  Communications [Public Utility] Commission [of Texas], and the
  office of emergency management of the governor, a copy of:
               (1)  the affected utility's emergency preparedness plan
  approved under Section 13.1395; and
               (2)  the commission's notification to the affected
  utility that the plan is accepted.
         (c)  Each affected utility shall submit to the county judge
  and the office of emergency management of each county in which the
  utility has water and wastewater facilities that qualify for
  critical load status under rules adopted by the Texas Energy and
  Communications [Public Utility] Commission [of Texas], and to the
  Texas Energy and Communications [Public Utility] Commission [of
  Texas] and the division of emergency management of the governor:
               (1)  information identifying the location and
  providing a general description of all water and wastewater
  facilities that qualify for critical load status; and
               (2)  emergency contact information for the affected
  utility, including:
                     (A)  the person who will serve as a point of
  contact and the person's telephone number;
                     (B)  the person who will serve as an alternative
  point of contact and the person's telephone number; and
                     (C)  the affected utility's mailing address.
         (f)  Not later than May 1 of each year, each electric utility
  and each retail electric provider shall determine whether the
  facilities of the affected utility qualify for critical load status
  under rules adopted by the Texas Energy and Communications [Public
  Utility] Commission [of Texas].
         SECTION 3.81.  Section 152.255, Water Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         Sec. 152.255.  RECOVERABILITY OF COSTS FROM RATEPAYERS.
  This subchapter does not limit the authority of the Texas Energy and
  Communications [Public Utility] Commission [of Texas] to determine
  the recoverability of costs from ratepayers.
         SECTION 3.82.  Section 152.301, Water Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         Sec. 152.301.  ELECTRIC TRANSMISSION SERVICES AND
  FACILITIES. Notwithstanding any other law, a river authority may:
               (1)  provide transmission services, as defined by the
  Utilities Code or the Texas Energy and Communications [Public
  Utility] Commission [of Texas], on a regional basis to any eligible
  transmission customer at any location within or outside the
  boundaries of the river authority; and
               (2)  acquire, including by lease-purchase, lease from
  or to any person, finance, construct, rebuild, operate, or sell
  electric transmission facilities at any location within or outside
  the boundaries of the river authority.
         SECTION 3.83.  This article takes effect September 1, 2022.
  ARTICLE 4. REPEALER
         SECTION 4.01.  The following are repealed:
               (1)  Sections 12.002, 12.003, 12.004, and 12.005,
  Utilities Code;
               (2)  Subchapters B, C, and D, Chapter 12, Utilities
  Code;
               (3)  Section 15.029, Utilities Code;
               (4)  Subchapter B, Chapter 16, Utilities Code;
               (5)  Section 2003.049, Government Code;
               (6)  Section 33.2053(b), Natural Resources Code; and
               (7)  Section 12.013(h), Water Code.
         SECTION 4.02.  This article takes effect September 1, 2022.
  ARTICLE 5. TRANSITION; EFFECTIVE DATE
         SECTION 5.01.  The Railroad Commission of Texas shall adopt
  a timetable for phasing in the change of the agency's name so as to
  minimize the fiscal impact of the name change. Until January 1,
  2022, to allow for phasing in the change of the agency's name and in
  accordance with the timetable established as required by this
  section, the agency may perform any act authorized by law for the
  Railroad Commission of Texas as the Railroad Commission of Texas or
  as the Texas Energy and Communications Commission. Any act of the
  Railroad Commission of Texas acting as the Texas Energy and
  Communications Commission after the effective date of this Act and
  before January 1, 2022, is an act of the Railroad Commission of
  Texas.
         SECTION 5.02.  Except as otherwise provided by this Act,
  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 on the 91st day after the last day of the legislative
  session.