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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the provision of loans and grants from the Texas Energy |
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Fund for certain energy efficiency projects. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 34, Utilities Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 34.01051 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 34.01051. ENERGY EFFICIENCY LOANS AND GRANTS. (a) The |
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commission may use money in the fund without further appropriation |
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to provide loans or grants for energy efficiency projects that |
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benefit retail electric customers, including residential |
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weatherization, demand reduction, or energy loss prevention |
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projects. |
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(b) The commission by rule shall establish eligibility |
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criteria to receive a loan or grant under this section. |
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(c) The commission may provide a loan or grant under this |
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section to: |
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(1) a retail electric customer; or |
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(2) a nonprofit corporation. |
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(d) Section 35.005(d) does not apply to a loan or grant |
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provided under this section. |
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SECTION 2. Section 34.0106(c), Utilities Code, is amended |
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to read as follows: |
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(c) The commission shall require each recipient of a loan |
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under this chapter to enter into a debt covenant that requires the |
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recipient to meet facility performance standards adopted by the |
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commission. The commission by rule shall adopt performance |
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standards for the purposes of this subsection based on reliability |
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metrics appropriate for the types of facilities for which loans may |
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be provided. This subsection does not apply to a loan or grant |
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provided under Section 34.01051. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect January 1, 2026, but only |
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if the constitutional amendment proposed by the 89th Legislature, |
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Regular Session, 2025, authorizing the use of money in the Texas |
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energy fund for energy efficiency projects that benefit retail |
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electric customers is approved by the voters. If that amendment is |
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not approved by the voters, this Act has no effect. |