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. |