BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 3237

By: Turner

State Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Under current law, certain institutions of higher education, state agencies, and political subdivisions are required to set goals to reduce electric consumption by at least five percent annually. However, this requirement currently expires in 2026. With the Texas grid already under considerable strain, as evidenced by ERCOT's recent reporting indicating that the energy supply could fall 6.2 percent short of peak summer demand in 2026, the bill author has informed the committee that ensuring that certain public entities continue to consider how to cut their energy use through building upgrades, energy efficiency efforts, and on-site generation resources is a worthy goal. H.B. 3237 seeks to ensure that entities currently required to set reductions goals continue to do so by extending the period during which these entities must set energy efficiency goals.

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. 3237 amends the Health and Safety Code to extend the period in which an applicable political subdivision, institution of higher education, or state agency is required to establish a goal to reduce the entity's electric consumption by at least five percent each state fiscal year from seven years beginning September 1, 2019, to six years beginning September 1, 2025.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2025.