88R9142 ANG-D
 
  By: Turner H.B. No. 4118
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to service provided to residential customers by certain
  gas utilities during weather emergencies; authorizing a civil
  penalty.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter F, Chapter 104, Utilities Code, is
  amended by adding Section 104.259 to read as follows:
         Sec. 104.259.  PROVISION OF ADEQUATE SERVICE DURING EXTREME
  WEATHER EMERGENCY. (a)  In this section, "extreme weather
  emergency" has the meaning assigned by Section 104.258.
         (b)  The regulatory authority shall require gas utilities,
  as defined by Sections 101.003 and 121.001, that serve residential
  customers to provide an adequate amount of pipeline pressure in
  distribution gas pipeline facilities that serve those customers
  during an extreme weather emergency.
         (c)  If a gas utility violates Subsection (b) for at least
  six consecutive hours, the regulatory authority shall require the
  gas utility to provide to each affected residential customer a $100
  rebate for each consecutive six-hour period in which the violation
  continued.
         SECTION 2.  Section 105.023, Utilities Code, is amended by
  adding Subsection (b-2) to read as follows:
         (b-2)  Notwithstanding Subsection (b), a civil penalty under
  this section shall be in the amount of $1 million for each violation
  of Section 104.259.  A municipality may file a suit to recover the
  civil penalty if the gas utility or affiliate in violation of
  Section 104.259 is regulated by the municipality.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.