S.B. No. 1877 aims to enhance the authority of the Office of Public Utility Counsel (OPUC) in Texas by allowing it greater access to essential data related to electricity markets. The bill amends Section 13.003 of the Utilities Code, specifically by adding new provisions that grant the OPUC the same access as commission staff to records gathered by the commission. Additionally, it allows the OPUC to request and receive electricity market data from various entities, including the commission, the independent organization certified for the ERCOT power region, and electric utilities. This data encompasses critical areas such as reliability, generation resource adequacy, long-term transmission planning, and system resiliency.

Furthermore, the bill introduces a new subsection (a-1), which establishes that information submitted to the OPUC under the new provisions regarding electricity market data is confidential and not subject to disclosure under the Government Code, provided it would also be confidential if held by the commission. This measure is designed to protect sensitive information while empowering the OPUC to better advocate for residential and small commercial consumers in Texas. The act is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Utilities Code 13.003 (Utilities Code 13)
Senate Committee Report: Utilities Code 13.003 (Utilities Code 13)