SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 474

WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to recognize the Public Utility Commission of Texas in honor of its 50th anniversary of service to the people of Texas; and

WHEREAS, On June 2, 1975, the Public Utility Regulatory Act was passed during the final hours of the 64th Texas Legislature and was signed into law by Governor Dolph Briscoe; this landmark legislation established the Public Utility Commission of Texas and placed the economic regulation of essential services including water, sewer, electric, and telephone utilities under its jurisdiction; and

WHEREAS, The commission held its first open meeting on September 2, 1975, following the swearing-in of the first appointed commissioners, Garrett Morris, George Cowden, and Alan Erwin, and its first rate case was filed on September 1, 1976, by Southwestern Bell Telephone Company; and

WHEREAS, For five decades, the commission's core objectives have remained consumer-focused and dedicated to ensuring Texans are provided adequate, and reliable utility services at reasonable rates that support the infrastructure needs and economic requirements of the services the commission regulates; and

WHEREAS, The duties and responsibilities of the Public Utility Commission of Texas include oversight of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, rate regulation of investor-owned utilities, enforcement of grid reliability requirements, emergency management and disaster preparedness, and protection and restoration of life-critical utilities for Texans; and

WHEREAS, The success of the agency is driven by its extraordinary workforce of dedicated and highly skilled attorneys, engineers, accountants, economists, and professionals whose knowledge and contributions have guided the commission through decades of legislation, regulation, education, and conflict resolution relating to utility services relied on by all Texans; and

WHEREAS, As the economy and prosperity of Texas continue to grow, the Public Utility Commission is well-positioned to meet the state's rising demand for electricity and water and additional evolving, critical utility needs for the next 50 years and beyond; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 89th Legislature, hereby commend all involved with the Public Utility Commission of Texas and congratulate the agency on 50 years of outstanding service to the people of the Lone Star State; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for the agency as an expression of esteem from the Texas Senate.

Schwertner

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President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on May 1, 2025.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate