SB2546 - Relating to establishing an advisory group to study potential means to finance costs of development and maintenance of electric transmission infrastructure.

  89R13385 SCR-D     By: Hancock S.B. No. 2546       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to establishing an advisory group to study potential means   to finance costs of development and maintenance of electric   transmission infrastructure.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  DEFINITION.  In this Act, "work group" means the   work group established under Section 2 of this Act.          SECTION 2.  WORK GROUP. The Transmission Cost Funding Work   Group is composed of the following members:                (1)  one representative of the Public Utility   Commission of Texas, appointed by the chair of the commission;                (2)  one representative of the independent   organization certified under Section 39.151, Utilities Code, for   the ERCOT power region, appointed by the chief executive officer of   the independent organization;                (3)  two members of the Texas Senate, appointed by the   lieutenant governor;                (4)  two members of the Texas House of Representatives,   appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives;                (5)  one representative of the comptroller's office,   appointed by the comptroller; and                (6)  the following members, appointed by the governor:                      (A)  one representative of the office of the   governor;                      (B)  one representative of a consumer advocacy   group;                      (C)  one representative of a renewable energy   organization; and                      (D)  one representative each of:                            (i)  the oil and gas industry;                            (ii)  an investor-owned electric utility;                            (iii)  a municipally owned electric utility;   and                            (iv)  an electric cooperative.          SECTION 3.  STUDY. The work group shall conduct a study of   available means to finance the costs of development and maintenance   of electric transmission infrastructure that may help to ensure the   reliability, affordability, and long-term sustainability of the   Texas power grid. The study must be designed to:                (1)  identify potential revenue sources, funding   mechanisms, and incentives that may be dedicated to those costs,   including:                      (A)  legislative appropriations;                      (B)  public-private partnerships;                      (C)  utility surcharges or fees;                      (D)  tax incentives;                      (E)  infrastructure investment programs; and                      (F)  reallocation of existing funds;                (2)  assess the financial feasibility and long-term   sustainability of the revenue sources, funding mechanisms, and   incentives described by Subdivision (1) of this section;                (3)  evaluate the potential effects of each of the   revenue sources, funding mechanisms, and incentives described by   Subdivision (1) of this section on consumers, utilities, and the   economy of this state; and                (4)  compare and evaluate the revenue sources, funding   mechanisms, and incentives applied to those costs by other states.          SECTION 4.  REPORT. Not later than December 1, 2026, the   work group shall submit to the governor, the lieutenant governor,   and the speaker of the house of representatives a written report   that includes:                (1)  the findings of the study conducted under Section   3 of this Act; and                (2)  any recommendations for legislative or other   action related to the funding of electric transmission projects.          SECTION 5.  EXPIRATION. This Act expires September 1, 2027.          SECTION 6.  EFFECTIVE DATE.  This Act takes effect   immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members   elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas   Constitution.  If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for   immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2025.