Transcript Highlights:

• I do not know, maybe PUC. I am sure. Sorry for the sidetrack. Just really quickly.
• The PUC reported last fall that wildfire liability costs specifically are tend to.
• The last time the PUC did an audit was in 2021.
• Whether it's a rigorous enough review by the PUC is the open question.
• Does it need to be independent of the PUC?

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I will say the volume of PUC reporting under the bill, the monthly reporting, I'm going...
• House Bill 145 provides meaningful transparency to utility wildfire mitigation planning at the PUC.
• a court that lacks the same level of expertise as the PUC.
• It requires PUC approval and a showing of ongoing eligibility.
• the PUC if they no longer qualify.

Bills: HB 106, HB144, HB145, HB252, HB1732, HB2221, HB2467, HB2468, HB2517, HB2518, HB2963, HB3016, HB3689, HB3960, HB4386, HB4490, HB4751, HB5247, HJR175, HB2213

Keywords: HB 106, oil and gas, Railroad Commission of Texas, overhead electrical lines, electrical distribution system, power line maintenance, administrative penalty, Natural Resources Code, oil and gas lease, well operator, energy safety, utility infrastructure, regulatory compliance, cleanup fund, oil and gas regulation and cleanup fund, production safety, leasehold operations, electric utility, distribution poles, inspection

Summary: The committee first handled pending business, including reconsidering SB 715 and then voting out several measures. The committee substitute for SB 1978 was reported favorably, and HB 431, HB 1522, HB 1922, HB 3228, HB 3229, HB 3803, HB 3804, HB 3805, HB 3806, HB 4219, HB 4238, HB 434, HB 1584, and HB 4739 were all reported favorably, many with objections sent to the local and uncontested calendar. HB 1522 and HB 4238 were adopted as committee substitutes before passage. The committee then moved into public testimony on HB 2963, a right-to-repair bill for consumer electronics. Supporters argued it would reduce waste, lower costs, and help independent repair shops by requiring manufacturers to provide parts, tools, and information on fair terms, while opponents said the bill was too broad and the automotive MOU exemption was problematic. The bill was left pending after testimony. The committee also heard HB 2467, which would align State Fire Marshal Office investigators’ pay with other commissioned peace officers at TDI; testimony was strongly supportive, emphasizing the office’s arson-investigation role, and the bill was left pending. HB 252, a bill allowing certain state agencies flexibility to pay Schedule A employees twice monthly, was laid out and left pending after limited testimony. HB 2468, dealing with public improvement district notice in real estate transactions, would let buyers terminate within seven days if required PID notice was not provided before contract execution; it drew no public testimony and was left pending. HB 4386, an annuity exchange and surrender process bill, was presented as a consumer-protection measure with deadlines and penalties for insurer delays; it received support from industry witnesses and was left pending. The committee then heard HB 4751, creating the Texas Quantum Initiative within the Governor’s Office to coordinate quantum research, workforce, industry partnerships, and possible future grant funding. Witnesses from universities and industry supported the bill, while several senators questioned whether a new state structure was necessary; the bill was left pending. HJR 175 proposed a constitutional amendment protecting Texans’ right to use mutually agreed forms of exchange, including cash, bullion, digital currency, or private script, and was discussed at length in the context of central bank digital currency and barter; it was left pending after testimony. HB 2221, updating insurance anti-rebating laws to allow wellness and value-added services, drew supportive testimony from the insurance industry and discussion about incentives versus monitoring; it was also left pending. Finally, the committee heard a series of utility wildfire and infrastructure bills: HB 106, requiring oil and gas operators to maintain certain electrical infrastructure near well sites; HB 144, requiring electric utilities to submit pole inspection and management plans to the PUC; and HB 145, requiring wildfire mitigation plans and allowing self-insurance under certain conditions. Utility, insurance, and cooperative witnesses generally supported the wildfire-related bills while asking for clarifications and less burdensome reporting, and the bills were left pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then on line 90 96 is the PUC tales.
• </c> Um the total increase for the PUC Um the total increase for the PUC um<00:09:48.880><c> line</c>
• Again, those all go to Commerce and PUC through assessments.
• Again, those all go to Commerce and PUC through assessments.
• The PUC has $3.8 million of general fund spending.

Bills: HF2438

Keywords: transportation finance, transportation policy, MnDOT, Minnesota Department of Transportation, Department of Public Safety, Metropolitan Council, highway funding, trunk highway fund, county state-aid highway fund, municipal state-aid street fund, state aid roads, local roads, bridge funding, road construction, transit funding, passenger rail, freight rail, aviation, airport development, safe routes to school

Transcript Highlights:

• And we believe that the PUC is the appropriate agency to serve as the umpire.
• we have to file with the PUC and we readily do that.
• And they came up with an idea that Arkansas Public Service Commission, their PUC.
• With the PUC to raise rates, then we were raising rates and I'm not exaggerating.
• Third, there's rates determined by the PUC in a contested case, which I'm an alum.

Transcript Highlights:

• PUC staff are obviously well-intentioned, smart people, but they feel powerless.
• And then senior PUC leadership really appears to me to not consider this a top priority.
• PUC staff are obviously well-intentioned, smart people, but they feel powerless.
• PUC staff are obviously well-intentioned, smart people, but they feel powerless.
• It took four months for the PUC to reply.

Summary: The committee met as a subcommittee for much of the hearing because it initially lacked a quorum, then later established one and began taking votes. The state auditor gave a status update on ongoing audits, including several JALAC-requested audits in progress, other statutory audits, staffing growth in his office, and the number of new JALAC audits his office could start in the coming months. The committee also heard that one audit request on Prop. 28 was held, and another PUC-related request was moved off consent and heard on the regular calendar. Members then heard and discussed several audit requests. Senator Cervantes presented a request to audit California fusion centers, with witnesses from the FBI and ACLU supporting the need for transparency and oversight; opponents argued the request was politically motivated and could interfere with counterterrorism work. Senator Allen presented a request on CPUC enforcement of Rule 21 interconnection timelines for solar and storage projects, supported by industry and school representatives who described long delays and financial harm, while CPUC staff said the issue was being addressed through workshops and a formal proceeding. Senator Perez presented a request to audit Caltrans’ administration of the former SR 710 extension properties and affordable sales program, citing tenant complaints about maintenance, pricing, and transparency; Caltrans said it was working to complete sales and improve administration. Senator Umberg presented a request to audit the Orange County Board of Education over transparency, contracting, litigation spending, charter oversight, and whistleblower issues, while board representatives said there was no factual basis for an audit and that existing legal remedies had not been invoked. After quorum was established, the committee approved the consent-calendar DMV license revocation audit and then approved the PUC utility timeliness audit and the Caltrans SR 710 audit. The fusion center audit was left on call after a split vote, and the Orange County Board of Education audit continued with testimony from the board’s representatives after the committee had already moved on to other business.

Transcript Highlights:

• Then we have a docket in front of the PUC as we speak.
• Then we have a docket in front of the PUC as we speak.
• maybe the PUC will say this is great and maybe the PUC will say this is great and it<00:48:27.200><c>
• The PUC is literally in the middle same.
• And so I cannot exemption with the PUC.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So the PUC performs their function to rate-regulate what I would call authorized monopolies.
• But for wastewater, the PUC currently lacks any legislative authority to intervene.
• It simply grants the PUC the same authority over private sewer corporations that they have held over
• It's a reasonable number to get the PUC in the process there.
• It's a reasonable number to get the PUC in the process there.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The Senate State Affairs Committee began by introducing several RSs, then heard and advanced a series of gubernatorial reappointments, including Skip Smeiser to the Idaho Lottery Commission, Jerry Aldapie to the Idaho Endowment Fund Investment Board, and Nikaela Black Abrams to the Idaho State Racing Commission. The committee also heard Bud Tracy’s reappointment to the State Building Authority, with Tracy briefly describing his interest in continuing to serve, though that appointment was held for a later vote. Members then considered election-related legislation. Senate Bill 1398 would restore and align Idaho’s presidential primary with the state primary in May; the Secretary of State, county clerks, and the League of Women Voters supported it, citing higher turnout, easier participation than caucuses, and cost savings. House Bill 872 would eliminate the separate ballot page for constitutional amendments and initiatives, with supporters saying it would save money and reduce confusion, while the League of Women Voters opposed it as making direct democracy less distinct. House Bill 831 would require schools used as polling places to be free of instructional activity on election day and allow districts time to adjust schedules; clerks, the Secretary of State, and the League supported it as improving voter access and student safety. All three bills were sent to the floor with due-pass recommendations. The committee also advanced House Concurrent Resolution 32, which affirms Idaho energy sovereignty and prioritizes in-state dispatchable generation and property rights; the sponsor said it supports reliable, affordable energy and limits impacts from transmission projects, and it passed with a due-pass recommendation. House Bill 893, a codifier cleanup bill, also passed unanimously. House Bill 817, which updates tobacco retail laws to better accommodate premium cigar retailers and adult-only cigar events while keeping youth protections in place, drew support from a small business owner and industry representatives and was sent to the floor with a due-pass recommendation. Finally, Senate Bill 1397 would bring private wastewater corporations with more than 100 service connections under Public Utilities Commission rate regulation; supporters said it would protect customers from unregulated monopolies, and the bill advanced with a due-pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the PUC process was their interpretation of a statute is does a Minnetonka.
• So the PUC process was their interpretation of a statute is does a Generators.
• So the PUC process was their interpretation of a statute is does a No.
• was</c><02:11:27.440><c> their</c> the uh PUC process was their the uh PUC process was their interpretation
• My understanding is that the the PUC.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The other component of this that I'd just like to flag is that there was a decision issued by the PUC
• component of this that, you know, I'd just like to flag is that there was a decision issued by the PUC
• And also, there's active proceedings before the PUC for us that could, this bill could absolutely hold
• The proceeding that we have before the PUC could affect it. we're going to be here talking about it.
• The proceeding that we have before PUC could affect it. Hold it up.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Utilities and Energy met without a quorum at first and proceeded as a subcommittee, then later established quorum and took up three bills. AB 1715, by Assembly Member Schiavo, would require the CPUC to create a searchable online database of utility advice letters, responses, and resolutions dating back to 2020, and add quarterly reporting on taxpayer-funded loans and grants to investor-owned utilities. Supporters, including TURN, said the bill would improve transparency and accountability around utility financing and ratepayer savings; no formal opposition testified, though SDG&E and SoCalGas said committee amendments addressed their main concerns. The bill was moved do pass as amended to Appropriations and ultimately passed 16-0. AB 1761, by Assembly Member Rogers, would improve transparency around the PCIA charge paid by community choice aggregators and other departing load customers by allowing advance access to data used in the calculation through an existing CPUC nondisclosure process. CalCCA, several CCAs, local governments, and clean energy groups supported the bill, arguing that current PCIA-setting practices are opaque and can cause rate shock; IOUs opposed, citing concerns about market-sensitive data and noting an existing CPUC process they said had not been fully used. After discussion of confidentiality protections and the committee amendments, the bill passed 15-0 to Appropriations. AB 1787, by Assembly Member Schultz, would require the CPUC to direct the large investor-owned utilities to offer optional dynamic rate tariffs once smart meter and related system upgrades approved on or after January 1, 2027 are in place. Supporters said dynamic pricing can help customers shift usage to lower-cost, cleaner periods and reduce peak demand costs, while opponents from PG&E, SDG&E, and SCE argued the bill was too prescriptive, could conflict with ongoing CPUC proceedings, and might create cost or implementation issues. The author said he would continue working with opponents and accepted committee amendments; the bill passed 13-0 to Appropriations. All three measures were reported out, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• appreciate the amendments from the committee and the author, moving the advice letter database to the PUC
• The other component of this that I'd just like to flag is that there was a decision issued by the PUC
• component of this that, you know, I'd just like to flag is that there was a decision issued by the PUC
• The proceeding that we have before PUC could affect it. Hold it up.
• The proceeding that we had before the PUC could affect it negatively.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It just requires the PUC to think hard before allowing more big investments in that system.
• I think Senator Stern has borrowed a line from the utilities: Call the PUC before you take.
• The PUC recently adopted priority maps. And with these concerns, we ask for your no vote.
• We just want the PUC to take a harder look at that.
• I certainly see what the PG&E witness was saying about this constraining the PUC.

Summary: The committee heard several energy, water, and utility bills. SB 919 by Senator Grayson would extend the biomethane monetary incentive program through 2030 and authorize additional funding to support renewable natural gas projects by reducing interconnection costs. Supporters said high interconnection costs and the current tax treatment are major barriers to methane reduction projects; opponents, including TURN and environmental groups, raised ratepayer cost concerns and objected to rate-basing and additional public funding. The author said amended language would remove the rate-basing provisions and instead urge the CPUC to act quickly on its pending decision. SB 931 by Senator Laird would reauthorize the Community Impact Mitigation Program for the Diablo Canyon plant through 2030 to continue funding local emergency preparedness, fire protection, public safety, and school district costs. The County of San Luis Obispo and labor groups supported the bill, while TURN opposed it as a statewide ratepayer subsidy that could be funded from existing PG&E revenues instead of higher rates. Members discussed the bill in the context of the 2022 Diablo Canyon extension deal and the possibility of a future longer extension. SB 1215 by Senator Cortese would direct the CPUC to set deployment targets for EV charging in multifamily housing and evaluate progress, with amendments aimed at affordability and limiting system upgrade costs. Supporters said renters are largely locked out of home charging and that prior utility programs proved cost-effective; no opposition testified. SB 1359 by Senator Stern would require more deliberate CPUC review before major gas system investments, emphasizing electrification and non-pipeline alternatives. Gas utilities and several industry groups opposed it, arguing it could undermine the obligation to serve, create safety and reliability risks, and change the regulatory compact. The committee also heard SB 1125 by Senator Menjivar, presented by Senator Gonzalez, which would establish a statewide low-income water rate assistance program upon appropriation. Water agencies, environmental groups, and local governments supported the measure, while one member expressed concern that it lacked a funding source and could not overcome Proposition 218 limits; the bill was moved to Appropriations and the roll was left open. Finally, SB 1098 by Senator Perez would restrict the use of long-running memorandum and balancing accounts by investor-owned utilities, require exceptional circumstances for new accounts, and add sunset and cost-sharing requirements. Consumer advocates and large energy users supported tighter oversight, while the utilities and business groups opposed the bill as too rigid and potentially harmful to flexibility for wildfire, emergency, and safety-related costs.

Transcript Highlights:

• The PUC is who is going to set those firming requirements, and it's not going to be 24 hours a day.
• The PUC has also been mandated again in House Bill 1500 that we passed last time...
• Do you remember in House Bill 1500 it required the PUC?
• Let me read to you what the PUC report said.
• It said in summary, all these... ...read to you what the PUC report said.

Summary: The Senate took up and passed Senate Bill 945, which concerns political shareholder proposals by insurers and insurance holding companies. Senator Hughes argued the bill would protect Texas-based insurers from activist shareholder pressure, especially proposals aimed at limiting insurance coverage for oil and gas companies for ESG or political reasons. The motion to suspend the regular order was adopted over objection, and SB 945 passed to engrossment on a 20-10 vote with one present not voting. The chamber also passed Senate Bill 1117, allowing any Texas-licensed dentist to administer botulinum toxin in oral or maxillofacial regions for aesthetic purposes, and House Joint Resolution 98, renewing Texas’s application for an Article 5 Convention of States to propose amendments on fiscal restraints, federal power limits, and term limits. Both measures advanced after debate and roll-call votes; SB 1117 passed unanimously after suspension of the three-day rule, and H.J.R. 98 was adopted on a 17-14 vote. Members then approved several other measures, including the committee substitute for House Bill 142 on HHSC’s Office of Inspector General and Medicaid overpayment recovery, Senate Bill 2373 on AI-enabled financial fraud and deepfake/phishing schemes, Senate Bill 2221 on fraudulent UCC financing statements, and Senate Bill 2681 on the basis for third-party voter-registration challenges. The Senate also adopted a resolution authorizing a Texas Life Monument replica at the Capitol complex, and passed S.J.R. 59 creating funds for Texas State Technical College capital needs. The body debated and passed Senate Bill 946, which would bar credit discrimination against organizations based on social, political, religious, or similar value-based considerations and require credit decisions to rest on creditworthiness. Senators raised concerns that the bill could create a special protected class for non-human entities or conflict with existing state policies, but the bill advanced to engrossment on a 20-11 vote. The Senate also passed Senate Bill 2477 to ease office-to-residential conversions in large cities after adopting an amendment negotiated with municipal stakeholders, and began consideration of Senate Bill 715 on ERCOT reliability requirements for generators, including existing generation, with extensive debate over impacts on renewables, power purchase agreements, and grid reliability.

Transcript Highlights:

• The PUC is given full authority to set a reliability standard and to establish penalties and incentives
• The committee substitute also directs the PUC to phase in the penalties and incentives.
• Finally, it instructs the PUC to consider a wide range of penalty and incentive structures to ensure
• We do want the PUC to come back and look at it.
• One, I'm not sure we should go that many years without having the PUC look at it.

Bills: SB383, SB1012, SB1181, SB1705, SB2075, SB2221, SB2586, SB2864, SB2994

Keywords: SB 383, ERCOT, Texas Utilities Code, interconnection, wind power facility, offshore wind, coastal wind, nearshore wind, Gulf of America, Texas coast, three marine leagues, electric grid, transmission line, distribution facility, renewable energy, battery storage, energy storage, grid access, power grid, electric service

Summary: The committee took up a long list of pending bills before moving to several bills on the day’s posting. It reported favorably SB 438, SB 512, SB 647, SB 648, SB 715, SB 758, SB 1964, SB 2121, SB 2145, SB 2167, SB 2330, SB 2349, SB 2443, SB 2629, SB 2702, SB 1495, and SB 2268, with several of those adopted from committee substitutes. Some measures were sent to the local and uncontested calendar, while others were reported to the full Senate. Votes on the pending-business bills were generally strong, though SB 715 and SB 2330 drew recorded opposition; SB 647 and SB 648 had one member present not voting because of confusion over the deed-related bills. A major discussion centered on SB 715, which would establish a reliability standard and penalties/incentives for generation resources. Senator Sparks said the committee substitute would avoid unfairly penalizing existing dispatchable generation, allow wind and solar to qualify through storage or backup power, give the PUC flexibility to set standards and phase in the program, and exempt switchable units. Critics raised concerns that it could raise consumer costs and destabilize the market, while supporters argued it would improve reliability. The committee substitute was adopted and the bill was reported out 6-4. The committee also heard testimony on SB 2330, dealing with payroll deduction for association dues, where the author said the bill would end state involvement in dues collection except for first responders covered by meet-and-confer agreements. Members questioned why teachers and other employees were treated differently, and the bill was reported out 6-5. Other notable bills included SB 2864 on building-integrated photovoltaics, SB 1012 on sale of surplus state property, SB 2221 on fraudulent UCC filings, SB 1705 regulating cryptocurrency kiosks with licensing, transaction limits, fee caps, and a 72-hour hold, SB 1181 on combative sports licensing, SB 2586 on HOA transparency, SB 2075 as a TDLR cleanup bill, and SB 383 restricting offshore wind interconnection based on impacts to shipping, wildlife, and coastal interests. Several of these were left pending after testimony, with SB 1705 drawing both law enforcement support and industry concerns over the fee caps and limits.

Transcript Highlights:

• Someone from, well, yeah, from the PUC, maybe? Yes. And TDEM. TDU and TDU.
• We have met with power companies, with PUC and ERCOT, together talking about these issues.
• We spent, I think, about half a day over at the PUC with Senator Hall discussing these threats.
• Obviously, it would create standards, but those would be under the PUC or ERCOT, is that correct?
• Simply put, SB2148 requires the PUC and ERCOT to conduct tabletop exercises.

Bills: SB75, SB715, SB776, SB1299, SB1405, SB1968, SB2021, SB2077, SB2148, SB2321, SB2330, SB2411

Keywords: electric generation, reliability, ERCOT, Public Utility Commission, penalties, performance requirements, energy policy, construction contracts, compensatory damages, government delays, contractor, legislation, nonprofit donor privacy, membership lists, supporter confidentiality, volunteer privacy, association rights, public records exemption, Texas Public Information Act, government transparency

Transcript Highlights:

• it's uneconomical, and there are already tests on whether it's uneconomical or not, according to the PUC
• They did, the PUC ordered this particular company.
• And so I just wanted to say thank you to the PUC for working with us. And thank you, Mr.
• Overall, it would discourage needed investment in utility infrastructure. framework that the PUC has
• The PUC rules provide the formula for utility rate application.

Bills: HB29, HB685, HB1633, HB1689, HB1690, HB1918, HB2010, HB2500, HB2608, HB2626, HB29

Keywords: water audit, water loss, water loss mitigation plan, municipally owned utility, municipal utility, water conservation, Texas Water Development Board, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, water leakage, leak detection, billing data accuracy, utility validation, water audit validation, water scarcity, water management, infrastructure, public utility, conservation plan, administrative penalty

Transcript Highlights:

• Under current law, the PUC must determine a monetary amount that is just and reasonable. compensation
• And that could constitute a damage, which would be determined by the PUC.
• And then the PUC would make a determination after evaluation. whether you know the water system isn't
• , if we determine that in the municipality's application... to the to the PUC if they've met all the
• Since then, we have seen 20... 22 applications filed with the PUC where a municipality is requesting

Bills: HB 1089, HB 1163, HB 1177, HB 1238, HB1318, HB1400, HB1407, HB1532, HJR7, HJR7

Keywords: coastal protection, environmental management, Gulf Coast, storm risk management, funding, Texas General Land Office, healthcare, insurance reform, patient access, insurance regulation, affordable care, health insurance, consumer rights, coverage transparency, claims process, insurance regulations, aggregate production, environmental impact, financial responsibility, reclamation

Transcript Highlights:

• to the invited testimony, we have five members that are involved in the industry, as well as former PUC
• Recent work by PUC Commissioner Jimmy Glotfelty and the Texas Advanced Nuclear Reactor Working Group
• Former PUC Commissioner Doug Robinson from Natura Creshkov will provide testimony now.
• It's all PUC. Thank you. Any other questions? I'm not seeing anything. Thank you all for coming.
• The PUC already does have a good website they put together.

Bills: SB1468, SB1612, SB1789, SB2530, SB2571, SB2717, SB2967

Keywords: utility systems, Texas A&M, regents authority, construction, improvement, construction contracts, trust funds, property rights, mechanics lien, contractors, trustee liability, mechanic's lien, liability, attorney's fees, windstorm insurance, Texas Windstorm Insurance Association, insurance regulation, administrative penalties, coastal counties, catastrophe year

Transcript Highlights:

• We also need entities, and PUC has all the necessary authority.
• PUC has all the necessary authority.
• PUC has all the necessary authority.
• PUC and we have a 500 in the bill. The chair is here. We have a quorum.
• PUC and we have a 500 in the bill.

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• on</c><00:22:26.320><c> the</c><00:22:26.640><c> way</c><00:22:26.799><c> the</c><00:22:27.200><c> PUC
• </c> And we decided based on the way the PUC And we decided based on the way the PUC decided<00:22:28.880
• We can fly them from Michigan to Concord to appear in person at the PUC hearing at the end of the rate
• We can fly them from Michigan to Concord to appear in person at the PUC hearing at the end of the rate
• </c><00:26:49.600><c> authorizes</c> increases that the PUC authorizes increases that the PUC authorizes

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Fiscal Committee met on Friday, November 21st and first approved the October 17th minutes, with one member abstaining because she was not present. The committee then adopted the remainder of the consent calendar after removing two items for separate consideration. On tab four, members discussed item 25282 with the Commissioner of Administrative Services and Public Works staff; the project had been delayed after testing revealed design errors and flaws, and the committee was told the work would restart with test piles the following week and was projected for completion in fall 2027. The item was approved. On tab five, item 25279 concerned a Health and Human Services facility project and a federally required element added late in the process. Commissioners explained that the project had originally been funded at $21 million, later required additional financing, and that the legislature had recently lifted a restriction so non-ARPA funds could be used. They also said the sale of the existing Manchester property would not be needed to complete the build, that a broker RFP was about to be issued, and that any sale would require further approvals. The committee approved the item. The committee then approved item 25280 after a brief exchange about rainy day fund estimates and prior budget assumptions, and approved item 25278 without discussion. Item 25272 drew questions about the consumer advocate’s RFP for outside utility-rate-case assistance; the office said it eliminated proposals focused only on return on equity work after the Eversource decision, selected a Michigan firm for spreadsheet and operating-cost analysis, and noted there were no in-state firms doing this specialized work. The committee approved the item, with one member recorded in opposition. On tab nine, item 25261 concerned a new judicial council budget obligation tied to legislation and public defense staffing needs. The presenter said the request reflected a late-added obligation from the judicial branch, that more requests may still be needed, and that public defense staffing was strained by vacancies and competition from Massachusetts. The committee approved the item. Under informational items, members received an update on 529 plan distributions and on interest and dividends tax refunds, with Revenue Administration saying roughly $21 million more in refunds remained and that the repeal-related refunds were nearly finished. The committee also noted an environmental services item for which questions would be submitted separately. The next meeting was set for December 19th at 11:00 a.m., and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The PUC is given the authority to set a reliability standard and to establish penalties and incentives
• The committee also directs the PUC to phase in the penalties and incentives, while the current statute
• It instructs the PUC to consider a wide range of penalty and incentive structures to ensure the program
• We do want the PUC to come back and look at those goals for increasing...
• One, I'm not sure we should go that many years without having the PUC look at it.

Bills: SB383, SB1012, SB1181, SB1705, SB2075, SB2221, SB2586, SB2864, SB2994

Keywords: SB 383, ERCOT, Texas Utilities Code, interconnection, wind power facility, offshore wind, coastal wind, nearshore wind, Gulf of America, Texas coast, three marine leagues, electric grid, transmission line, distribution facility, renewable energy, battery storage, energy storage, grid access, power grid, electric service