88R8931 CXP-F
 
  By: Hernandez H.B. No. 3508
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the operation of electric vehicle charging stations.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subtitle B, Title 2, Utilities Code, is amended
  by adding Chapter 42 to read as follows:
  CHAPTER 42. ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING
         Sec. 42.0101.  LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS. (a) The legislature
  finds that it is in the best interests of this state to continue the
  longstanding policy of robust competition through the free market
  by establishing a framework designed to encourage competitive
  private sector investment in the deployment of electric vehicle
  charging stations.
         (b)  The legislature finds that encouraging private sector
  investment in the deployment of electric vehicle charging stations
  is essential to foster the rapid installation and widespread use of
  electric vehicle charging stations on property whose owners or
  tenants desire to make such an investment.
         (c)  The legislature finds that it is necessary to:
               (1)  implement competitively neutral policies to
  encourage competitive private sector investment in electric
  vehicle charging station deployment;
               (2)  develop and implement competitively neutral
  electricity tariffs aimed at and optimized for the low-cost
  operation of electric vehicle charging stations while ensuring
  transparency in pricing; and
               (3)  encourage competitive private investment,
  ownership, and operation of electric vehicle charging stations,
  including equipment that allows for fast charging.
         Sec. 42.0102.  DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:
               (1)  "Direct-current fast charging station" means a
  charging system capable of delivering at least 50 kilowatts of
  direct-current electrical power to an electric vehicle's
  rechargeable battery at a voltage of 200 volts or greater.
               (2)  "Electric vehicle" means an automobile that is
  propelled by one or more electric motors using energy stored in the
  form of a rechargeable battery.
               (3)  "Electric vehicle charging provider" means the
  owner of an electric vehicle charging station.
               (4)  "Electric vehicle charging station" means any
  level two charging station or direct-current fast charging station
  that delivers electricity from a source outside an electric vehicle
  into an electric vehicle and is separate and distinct from
  make-ready infrastructure.
               (5)  "Level two charging station" means a charging
  system capable of delivering at least 3 and not more than 50
  kilowatts of alternating-current electrical power to an electric
  vehicle's rechargeable battery at a voltage of 200 volts or
  greater.
               (6)  "Make-ready infrastructure" means the electrical
  infrastructure required to service an electric vehicle charging
  station's electrical load on the electric utility's or customer's
  side of the meter. The term does not include an electric vehicle
  charging station.
         Sec. 42.0103.  ELECTRIC UTILITIES. (a) An electric utility
  or transmission and distribution utility:
               (1)  may not directly provide retail electricity
  charging service from an electric vehicle charging station;
               (2)  may not include an electric vehicle charging
  station for recovery through rates approved by the commission;
               (3)  may provide retail electricity charging service
  from an electric vehicle charging station through a separate
  affiliate that is:
                     (A)  not subject to regulation by the commission;
  and
                     (B)  subject to prohibitions on market power
  abuse, cross-subsidizations, and preferential treatment between
  regulated and competitive activities described by Section
  39.157(d); and
               (4)  consistent with the requirements of Subchapter B,
  Chapter 38, and Section 39.157(d)(3), shall offer the same
  nondiscriminatory rates, terms, and conditions offered to the
  affiliate described by Subdivision (3) to other electric vehicle
  charging providers in the utility's service area for the operation
  of electric vehicle charging stations.
         (b)  An affiliate of an electric utility or transmission and
  distribution utility that provides, owns, operates, or maintains
  electric vehicle charging stations and is not subject to regulation
  by the commission may not be subsidized by any rate or charge for
  any regulated services provided by an electric utility or
  transmission and distribution utility.
         (c)  This section does not prohibit an electric utility or
  transmission and distribution utility from subsidizing the costs of
  make-ready infrastructure through rates or charges for services
  provided by the electric utility's or transmission and distribution
  utility's regulated services.
         SECTION 2.  Section 42.0103(b), Utilities Code, as added by
  this Act, applies only to a rate or charge imposed after January 1,
  2024.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.