BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.B. 1873
88R13033 ANG-F	By: Schwertner
	Business & Commerce
	4/11/2023
	As Filed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Winter Storm Uri exposed vulnerabilities within our state's competitive power sector, and notably, the effects of natural gas supply issues and price fluctuations. More recently, interested parties have raised concerns about these transactions and the need for more transparency. S.B. 1873 seeks to promote additional transparency across natural gas transactions and market participants by ensuring disclosure of involved affiliates.

As proposed, S.B. 1873 amends current law relating to the applicability of certain gas pipeline laws to an affiliate of a gas utility.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends �Section 121.002, Utilities Code, as follows:

Sec. 121.002. New heading: APPLICABILITY TO AFFILIATE OF GAS UTILITY. (a) Defines "affiliate."

(b) Provides that a person is a gas utility for the purposes of Chapter 121 (Gas Pipelines) if the person is an affiliate of a gas utility and provides gas sales or marketing services. Deletes existing text providing that a person is not a gas utility solely because the person is an affiliate of a gas utility.

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2023.