88R9643 CXP-D
	By: Schwertner, et al.	S.B. No. 1368

	A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
	AN ACT
	relating to the continuation and functions of the Public Utility
	Commission of Texas and the Office of Public Utility Counsel, and
	the functions of the independent organization certified for the
	ERCOT power region.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
	SECTION 1.  Section 12.005, Utilities Code, is amended to
	read as follows:
	Sec. 12.005.  APPLICATION OF SUNSET ACT. The Public Utility
	Commission of Texas is subject to Chapter 325, Government Code
	(Texas Sunset Act). Unless continued in existence as provided by
	that chapter or by Chapter 39, the commission is abolished [and this
	title expires] September 1, 2029 [2023].
	SECTION 2.  Section 12.059, Utilities Code, is amended to
	read as follows:
	Sec. 12.059.  TRAINING PROGRAM FOR COMMISSIONERS. (a) A
	person who is appointed to and qualifies for office as a member of
	the commission may not vote, deliberate, or be counted as a member
	in attendance at a meeting of the commission until the person
	completes a [Before a commissioner may assume the commissioner's
	duties and before the commissioner may be confirmed by the senate,
	the commissioner must complete at least one course of the] training
	program that complies with [established under] this section.
	(b)  The [A] training program must [established under this
	section shall] provide the person with information [to the
	commissioner] regarding:
	(1)  the law governing [enabling legislation that
	created the] commission operations [and its policymaking body to
	which the commissioner is appointed to serve];
	(2)  the programs, functions, rules, and budget of
	[operated by] the commission;
	(3)  the scope [role and functions] of and limitations
	on the rulemaking authority of the commission;
	(4)  the results [rules] of the most recent formal
	audit of the commission [with an emphasis on the rules that relate
	to disciplinary and investigatory authority];
	(5)  the requirements of:
	(A)  laws relating to open meetings, public
	information, administrative procedure, and disclosing conflicts of
	interest; and
	(B)  other laws applicable to members of a state
	policy-making body in performing their duties [current budget for
	the commission]; and
	(6)  [the results of the most recent formal audit of the
	commission;
	[(7)  the requirements of Chapters 551, 552, and 2001,
	Government Code;
	[(8)  the requirements of the conflict of interest laws
	and other laws relating to public officials; and
	[(9)]  any applicable ethics policies adopted by the
	commission or the Texas Ethics Commission.
	(c)  A person [who is] appointed to the commission is
	entitled to reimbursement, as provided by the General
	Appropriations Act, for the travel expenses incurred in attending
	the training program regardless of whether the attendance at the
	program occurs before or after the person qualifies for office.
	(d)  The executive director of the commission shall create a
	training manual that includes the information required by
	Subsection (b). The executive director shall distribute a copy of
	the training manual annually to each member of the commission. Each
	member of the commission shall sign and submit to the executive
	director a statement acknowledging that the member received and has
	reviewed the training manual.
	SECTION 3.  Section 12.202, Utilities Code, is amended by
	adding Subsections (a-1) and (a-2) to read as follows:
	(a-1)  The policies adopted under this section must require
	the agenda for each regular commission meeting to include public
	testimony as a meeting agenda item and allow members of the public
	to comment on:
	(1)  each meeting agenda item unrelated to a contested
	case; and
	(2)  other matters under the commission's jurisdiction.