The bill, S.B. No. 1876, amends the Utilities Code by adding Section 39.004, which grants the Public Utility Commission of Texas the authority to retain various types of consultants, including accountants, auditors, engineers, and attorneys, to assist in regional proceedings that impact electric utilities and consumers. This assistance can be utilized in matters such as the relationship of electric utilities to power regions, the approval of agreements among utilities and their affiliates, and other issues that may influence retail customer rates. The bill specifies that the costs incurred for these services, capped at $1.5 million over a 12-month period, will be the responsibility of the electric utility involved in the proceedings.

Additionally, the bill outlines that the commission will allow the utility to recover these costs through an annual rider, which must be approved by the commission before implementation. The commission is also required to consult with the attorney general prior to retaining certain professionals, and the retention of attorneys is subject to the attorney general's approval. Furthermore, the bill prohibits the commission from engaging individuals who must register under specific government code sections, ensuring compliance with existing regulations. The act is set to take effect immediately upon receiving a two-thirds vote from both houses or on September 1, 2025, if that threshold is not met.

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