| |
| |
|
|
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
|
|
|
AN ACT
|
|
|
relating to the composition of the Public Utility Commission of |
|
|
Texas. |
|
|
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
|
|
SECTION 1. Section 12.051, Utilities Code, is amended by |
|
|
amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsections (a-1) and (a-2) to |
|
|
read as follows: |
|
|
(a) The commission is composed of five [three] |
|
|
commissioners appointed by the governor. |
|
|
(a-1) The chair of the legislative caucus whose political |
|
|
party has the most members in the house of representatives shall |
|
|
submit to the governor a list of names of at least five persons |
|
|
eligible for appointment as commissioner. The governor shall |
|
|
appoint three commissioners from the list. |
|
|
(a-2) The chair of the legislative caucus whose political |
|
|
party has the second most members in the house of representatives |
|
|
shall submit to the governor a list of names of at least five |
|
|
persons eligible for appointment as commissioner. The governor |
|
|
shall appoint two commissioners from the list [with the advice and |
|
|
consent of the senate]. |
|
|
SECTION 2. The governor shall promptly appoint five |
|
|
commissioners to the Public Utility Commission of Texas in |
|
|
accordance with Section 12.051, Utilities Code, as amended by this |
|
|
Act. Notwithstanding Section 12.051(c), Utilities Code, in making |
|
|
the initial appointments under that section, the governor shall |
|
|
designate one commissioner to a term expiring September 1, 2023, |
|
|
two commissioners to a term expiring September 1, 2025, and two |
|
|
commissioners to a term expiring September 1, 2027. A person who |
|
|
is serving as a commissioner of the Public Utility Commission of |
|
|
Texas immediately before the effective date of this Act may |
|
|
continue to serve until the person's successor is appointed and |
|
|
qualifies to serve. |
|
|
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021. |