UTILITIES CODE

TITLE 2. PUBLIC UTILITY REGULATORY ACT

SUBTITLE A. PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO ALL UTILITIES

CHAPTER 18.  TEXAS ENERGY WASTE ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Sec. 18.001.  DEFINITION.  In this chapter, "committee" means the Texas Energy Waste Advisory Committee.
Added by Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 682 (H.B. 5323), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2025.

Sec. 18.002.  ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMITTEE.  The Texas Energy Waste Advisory Committee is created to make recommendations for coordinating and improving state agency and interagency programs that reduce energy waste, increase energy efficiency, and enhance demand response programs in order to increase reliability of electric service in the ERCOT power region in accordance with Section 39.159.
Added by Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 682 (H.B. 5323), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2025.

Sec. 18.003.  COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP.  (a)  The committee is composed of eight ex officio members as follows:
(1)  the presiding officer of the commission;
(2)  the chief executive officer of the independent organization certified under Section 39.151 for the ERCOT power region;
(3)  the comptroller;
(4)  the executive director of the Texas Facilities Commission;
(5)  the executive director of the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation;
(6)  the director of the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs;
(7)  the presiding officer of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality; and
(8)  the commissioner of the General Land Office.
(b)  An ex officio member may designate an employee of the member's agency or office to serve in the member's place.
(c)  The presiding officer of the commission or an employee of the commission designated by the presiding officer shall serve as the chair of the committee.
(d)  The committee shall meet quarterly at the call of the chair.
Added by Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 682 (H.B. 5323), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2025.

Sec. 18.004.  PROGRAM EVALUATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS.  To improve the reliability of electric service in the ERCOT power region, the committee shall solicit information from and make recommendations to the following state agencies and organizations regarding state programs that have the potential to reduce demand for electricity in the ERCOT wholesale market during high risk hours identified by the commission:
(1)  the commission;
(2)  the independent organization certified under Section 39.151 for the ERCOT power region;
(3)  the comptroller;
(4)  the State Energy Conservation Office;
(5)  the Texas Facilities Commission;
(6)  the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation;
(7)  the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs;
(8)  the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality; and
(9)  the General Land Office.
Added by Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 682 (H.B. 5323), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2025.

Sec. 18.005.  ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT.  The commission shall provide the committee with administrative support, including meeting space and staff necessary to assist the committee in carrying out the committee's duties under this chapter.
Added by Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 682 (H.B. 5323), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2025.

Sec. 18.006.  CONFIDENTIALITY OF CERTAIN INFORMATION.  (a)  Except as provided by Subsection (b), the committee is not subject to Chapter 551 or 552, Government Code.
(b)  Information written, produced, collected, assembled, or maintained under law or in connection with the transaction of official business by the committee or an officer or employee of the committee is subject to Section 552.008, Government Code, in the same manner as public information.
Added by Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 682 (H.B. 5323), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2025.

Sec. 18.007.  REPORT.  Not later than December 1 of each even-numbered year, the committee shall provide to the legislature a report on the committee's activities and recommendations.
Added by Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 682 (H.B. 5323), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2025.