87R11782 CXP-D
	By: Smithee	H.B. No. 3093

	A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
	AN ACT
	relating to the name and governance of the Public Utility
	Commission of Texas.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
	SECTION 1.  Chapter 1, Utilities Code, is amended by adding
	Section 1.004 to read as follows:
	Sec. 1.004.  REFERENCE TO PUBLIC UTILITY COMMISSIONER OR
	COMMISSION. In this code:
	(1)  a reference to a commissioner, the commissioners,
	or the presiding officer of the Public Utility Commission of Texas
	means the commissioner of the Department of Public Utility; and
	(2)  a reference to the Public Utility Commission of
	Texas means the Department of Public Utility.
	SECTION 2.  Section 12.001, Utilities Code, is amended to
	read as follows:
	Sec. 12.001.  DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITY [COMMISSION OF
	TEXAS]. The Department of Public Utility [Commission of Texas]
	exercises the jurisdiction and powers conferred by this title.
	SECTION 3.  Section 12.003, Utilities Code, is amended to
	read as follows:
	Sec. 12.003.  SEAL. (a) The department [commission] has a
	seal bearing the inscription: "Department of Public Utility
	[Commission of Texas]."
	(b)  The seal shall be affixed to each record and to an
	authentication of a copy of a record. The department [commission]
	may require the seal to be affixed to other instruments.
	(c)  A court of this state shall take judicial notice of the
	seal.
	SECTION 4.  Sections 12.051(a) and (c), Utilities Code, are
	amended to read as follows:
	(a)  The [commission is composed of three commissioners
	appointed by the] governor shall appoint a commissioner with the
	advice and consent of the senate to oversee the department.
	(c)  The commissioner serves a two-year term that expires
	September 1 of each odd-numbered year [Commissioners serve
	staggered, six-year terms].
	SECTION 5.  Section 12.057, Utilities Code, is amended to
	read as follows:
	Sec. 12.057.  COMPENSATION. The annual salary of the
	commissioner [commissioners] is determined by the legislature.
	SECTION 6.  The heading to Section 12.059, Utilities Code,
	is amended to read as follows:
	Sec. 12.059.  TRAINING PROGRAM FOR COMMISSIONER
	[COMMISSIONERS].
	SECTION 7.  Section 12.156, Utilities Code, is amended to
	read as follows:
	Sec. 12.156.  QUALIFICATIONS AND STANDARDS OF CONDUCT
	INFORMATION. The executive director or the executive director's
	designee shall provide to the commissioner [commissioners] and
	department [commission] employees as often as necessary
	information regarding their:
	(1)  qualifications for office or employment under this
	title; and
	(2)  responsibilities under applicable laws relating
	to standards of conduct for state officers and employees.
	SECTION 8.  Section 39.917(b), Utilities Code, is amended to
	read as follows:
	(b)  The Texas Electric Grid Security Council is composed of:
	(1)  the commissioner [designated as presiding officer
	of the commission under Section 12.052] or a representative
	designated by the commissioner;
	(2)  the chief executive officer of the independent
	organization certified under Section 39.151 for the ERCOT power
	region or a representative designated by the chief executive
	officer; and
	(3)  the governor or a representative designated by the
	governor.
	SECTION 9.  Sections 12.052 and 12.056, Utilities Code, are
	repealed.
	SECTION 10.  (a) On the effective date of this Act:
	(1)  the name of the Public Utility Commission of Texas
	is changed to the Department of Public Utility, and all powers,
	rights, duties, and obligations of the Public Utility Commission of
	Texas are the powers, duties, rights, and obligations of the
	Department of Public Utility; and
	(2)  any appropriation for the Public Utility
	Commission of Texas is an appropriation for the Department of
	Public Utility.
	(b)  On and after the effective date of this Act, a reference
	in law to the Public Utility Commission of Texas is a reference to
	the Department of Public Utility.
	(c)  The Department of Public Utility is the authority
	formerly known as the Public Utility Commission of Texas in all
	respects. All personnel, equipment, data, documents, facilities,
	contracts, items, other property, rules, decisions, and
	proceedings of or involving the Public Utility Commission of Texas
	are unaffected by the change in the name of the authority.
	SECTION 11.  The governor shall promptly appoint the first
	commissioner to the Department of Public Utility in accordance with
	Section 12.051, Utilities Code, as amended by this Act. The term of
	the first commissioner expires September 1, 2023.
	SECTION 12.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.