Bill Text: TX HB788 | 2017-2018 | 85th Legislature | Introduced
Bill Title: Relating to enhancing the security of the electric grid; making an appropriation.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2017-02-22 - Referred to Appropriations [HB788 Detail]
Download: Texas-2017-HB788-Introduced.html
| 85R3160 GRM-F | ||
| By: Parker | H.B. No. 788 | |
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| relating to enhancing the security of the electric grid; making an | ||
| appropriation. | ||
| BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: | ||
| SECTION 1. Subchapter Z, Chapter 39, Utilities Code, is | ||
| amended by adding Section 39.918 to read as follows: | ||
| Sec. 39.918. ELECTRIC GRID SECURITY PROGRAM. (a) In this | ||
| section, "committee" means the electric grid security advisory | ||
| committee. | ||
| (b) The commission shall establish a program to pay expenses | ||
| incurred to increase the security of the electric grid in ERCOT. | ||
| Eligible expenses of the program include: | ||
| (1) an audit related to security of the electric grid | ||
| and associated computer systems and networks conducted by: | ||
| (A) an independent security expert for a | ||
| transmission and distribution utility; | ||
| (B) an independent organization certified under | ||
| Section 39.151; | ||
| (C) an electric cooperative; | ||
| (D) a river authority; or | ||
| (E) a municipally owned utility operating in | ||
| ERCOT; | ||
| (2) reimbursement of investments or expenses made to | ||
| implement measures recommended by the committee or to implement | ||
| recommendations made in an audit described by Subdivision (1); | ||
| (3) an expense incurred by the committee related to | ||
| the retention of consultants or other necessary experts to assist | ||
| the committee in performing the committee's duties; | ||
| (4) reimbursement to a member of the committee for | ||
| travel expenses; and | ||
| (5) reimbursement of costs incurred by the commission | ||
| in administering this section. | ||
| (c) Entities other than the commission seeking | ||
| reimbursement from the program must provide adequate documentation | ||
| to the committee to demonstrate that the expense is eligible for | ||
| reimbursement under this section. The commission shall authorize | ||
| reimbursement of eligible expenses not later than five business | ||
| days after receipt of a certification from the committee that the | ||
| expenditures are eligible under this section. | ||
| (d) Each quarter, the commission shall report the total | ||
| amount paid for each category of expenses listed in Subsection (b) | ||
| to the governor, the lieutenant governor, and the speaker of the | ||
| house of representatives. | ||
| (e) This section does not prevent any recovery authorized | ||
| under this title for reasonable and necessary costs incurred in | ||
| relation to ongoing efforts to secure electric facilities from | ||
| physical and cyber security threats by: | ||
| (1) a transmission and distribution utility; | ||
| (2) an independent organization certified under | ||
| Section 39.151; | ||
| (3) an electric cooperative; | ||
| (4) a river authority; or | ||
| (5) a municipally owned utility operating in ERCOT. | ||
| (f) Notwithstanding Chapter 551, Government Code, the | ||
| commission may conduct a closed meeting, as defined by Section | ||
| 551.001, Government Code, to discuss the findings of the committee, | ||
| programs required by this section, and other issues related to the | ||
| security of the electric grid and associated computer systems and | ||
| networks. | ||
| SECTION 2. In addition to other appropriations made by the | ||
| 85th Legislature, Regular Session, 2017, the amount of $25 million | ||
| is appropriated from the general revenue fund to the Public Utility | ||
| Commission of Texas for the purpose of implementing Section 39.918, | ||
| Utilities Code, as added by this Act, for the period beginning on | ||
| the effective date of this Act and ending on the second anniversary | ||
| of that date. | ||
| SECTION 3. The implementation of the changes in law made by | ||
| this Act is contingent on legislation that creates the electric | ||
| grid security advisory committee being enacted and becoming law. | ||
| If that legislation is not enacted and does not become law, this Act | ||
| has no effect. | ||
| SECTION 4. 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, 2017. | ||
