H.B. No. 3905 aims to enhance the rights and protections of retail electric customers regarding the interconnection and deployment of distributed generation systems. The bill amends Section 17.004(a) of the Utilities Code to include new consumer protections, such as the right to deploy emergency energy backup generation or storage capability on their premises, provided it complies with applicable standards and local building codes. Additionally, it introduces a new section, 39.9162, which outlines specific protections for distributed solar generation owners, prohibiting electric utilities and cooperatives from imposing unnecessary restrictions on their ability to connect and operate photovoltaic systems.

The bill also modifies existing provisions to ensure that distributed renewable generation owners are not subjected to additional safety or performance standards beyond those established by the commission. It mandates that interconnection requests for photovoltaic generation must be approved or denied within 21 days, thereby streamlining the process for customers. The changes will take effect on September 1, 2025, and will only apply to contracts entered into after that date, ensuring that existing contracts remain governed by the previous law.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Utilities Code 17.004, Utilities Code 39.002, Utilities Code 39.554 (Utilities Code 39, Utilities Code 17)