The bill would amend the Government Code to establish the Texas Transportation Electrification Council which is comprised of a representative from the Public Utility Commission, the Electric Reliability Council, The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), the State Energy Conservation Office, the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR),the Texas Department of Transportation, the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDOT), the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs, the Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation, the Texas Division of Emergency Management, the Texas Economic Development and Tourism Office. The council would be administratively attached to TxDOT.
The bill would require the Council to prepare an assessment of existing and planned public electric vehicle charging infrastructure and planned infrastructure and to develop a plan for the development of public electric vehicle charging infrastructure though 2040. The council would be required to develop policy recommendations that other state agencies may adopt to encourage the development of electric vehicle charging infrastructure. The bill would also require the council to prepare a biennial report that summarizes the progress made and any policy recommendations.
The bill would amend the Health and Safety Code to require that TCEQ establish an online registration program for sellers and lessors of new motor vehicles to apply to receive incentives under the Light-Duty Motor Vehicle Purchase Program. The bill would also require that the electric drive vehicle be less than $55,000 to be eligible for the $2,500 Light-Duty Motor Vehicle Purchase Program incentive. A new light-duty electric drive vehicle is eligible for $4,000 in Light-Duty Motor Vehicle Purchase Program incentives if the vehicle was sold or leased after September 1, 2024; has four wheels; was manufactured for use on public roads, highways and streets; has not been modified; has a maximum speed capability of at least 55 miles per hour; is propelled solely by an electric battery, is designed, used, or maintained primarily to transport property.
The bill would amend the Health and Safety code to require TCEQ to establish and administer a grant program to encourage the purchase, construction and installation of infrastructure needed to support drayage trucks that are or cargo handling that is powered by alternative fuel. Any grants awarded by this program may not exceed more than 80 percent of the total estimate costs related to the infrastructure project.
The bill would amend the Health and Safety Code to permit TCEQ to expend 8 percent of the total amount deposited to Texas Emissions Reduction Plan (TERP) Trust Fund No. 1201, which is outside the Treasury, instead of $6,000,000 for Alternative Fueling Facilities Programs and permits TCEQ to expend more than $60,000 on Alternative Fueling Facilities Programs if that is less than 50 percent of the total cost of the project.
The bill would amend the Occupations Code to permit TDLR to issue a a fee, and provide a civil penalty. The bill would require TDLR to administer and enforce the provisions of the new "Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment" chapter as established by the bill.
The bill would authorize TDLR to periodically inspect electric vehicle supply equipment in order to verify compliance with the chapter, and to contract to perform the department's duties related to electric vehicle supply equipment, including inspections. The bill would require TDLR to establish fees by rule in an amount reasonable and necessary to cover the costs of administering the chapter.
The bill outlines the duties of electric vehicle supply providers and requires registration of each charging unit of electric vehicle supply equipment operated by the provider prior to the equipment being made available for use for commercial transactions. Electric vehicle supply equipment would be exempt from the requirements of the chapter if the equipment is installed in or adjacent to a private residence for noncommercial use, or if it is provided at no charge for the exclusive use of an individual, or a group of individuals, including employees, tenants, visitors, or residents of a multi-unit housing, business or office development.
Electric vehicle charging equipment installed before the effective date of the bill would have until March 1, 2028, to be in full compliance with the chapter. Equipment installed on or after the bill's effective date but before March 1, 2025, would have to be in compliance by March 1, 2025. Equipment installed on or after March 1, 2025, would need to be in compliance and be registered prior to operation.
The bill would take effect immediately upon enactment, assuming it received the requisite two-thirds majority votes in both houses of the Legislature. Otherwise, it would take effect September 1, 2023.