Bill Text: TX HB2979 | 2021-2022 | 87th Legislature | Introduced

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Bill Title: Relating to backup power supply requirements for certain critical facilities.

Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Republican 1)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2021-03-18 - Referred to State Affairs [HB2979 Detail]

Download: Texas-2021-HB2979-Introduced.html

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87R11407 JXC-D
By: Paul H.B. No. 2979

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to backup power supply requirements for certain critical
facilities.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 771.051(a), Health and Safety Code, is
amended to read as follows:
(a) The commission is the state's authority on emergency
communications. The commission shall:
(1) administer the implementation of statewide 9-1-1
service and the poison control network, including poison control
centers under Chapter 777;
(2) develop minimum performance standards for
equipment and operation of 9-1-1 service to be followed in
developing regional plans under Section 771.055, including
requirements that the plans provide for:
(A) automatic number identification by which the
telephone number of the caller is automatically identified at the
public safety answering point receiving the call; [and]
(B) the installation and use of a backup power
supply for a power outage; and
(C) other features the commission considers
appropriate;
(3) examine and approve or disapprove regional plans
as provided by Section 771.056;
(4) recommend minimum training standards, assist in
training, and provide assistance in the establishment and operation
of 9-1-1 service;
(5) allocate money to prepare and operate regional
plans as provided by Section 771.056;
(6) develop and provide public education materials and
training;
(7) plan, implement, operate, and maintain poison
control center databases and assist in planning, supporting, and
facilitating 9-1-1 databases, as needed;
(8) provide grants or contracts for services that
enhance the effectiveness of 9-1-1 service;
(9) coordinate emergency communications services and
providers;
(10) make reasonable efforts to gain voluntary
cooperation in the commission's activities of emergency
communications authorities and providers outside the commission's
jurisdiction, including:
(A) making joint communications to state and
federal regulators; and
(B) arranging cooperative purchases of equipment
or services; and
(11) accept, receive, and deposit in its account in
the general revenue fund gifts, grants, and royalties from public
and private entities. Gifts, grants, and royalties may be used for
the purposes of the commission.
SECTION 2. Section 552.001, Local Government Code, is
amended by adding Subsection (e) to read as follows:
(e) A municipality that owns or operates a utility system to
provide water service shall ensure that the utility system has a
backup power supply for water treatment during a power outage.
SECTION 3. Section 13.241, Water Code, is amended by adding
Subsection (d-1) to read as follows:
(d-1) The utility commission may not grant a new certificate
of convenience and necessity to an applicant unless the applicant
demonstrates that the applicant has a backup power supply for water
treatment during a power outage.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.