BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 3668

By: Holland

State Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

State law authorizes the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC) to engage with outside assistance for matters involving the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. This authority is set to expire September 1, 2023. However, there is still a need for the PUC to retain this authority. H.B. 3668 seeks to postpone the expiration to September 1, 2031.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 3668 amends the Utilities Code to postpone from September 1, 2023, to September 1, 2031, the expiration of certain provisions relating to the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC) engaging outside council to represent the PUC in a proceeding before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) or before a court reviewing FERC proceedings.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2023.