House Bill No. 4627 aims to enhance the quality and reliability of electric service in Texas by amending various sections of the Utilities Code. A significant addition is Subsection (b-1) to Section 36.402, which prohibits the Public Utility Commission from allowing electric utilities to earn a return on equity for infrastructure repairs or replacements that should have been reasonably anticipated to be damaged by weather-related events or natural disasters. Additionally, Section 38.005(b) has been modified to lower the threshold for enforcement actions against utilities based on service interruption metrics, changing the percentage from 300% to 200% above the system average. The bill also introduces new requirements for utilities to inspect and maintain transmission and distribution poles, mandating annual reports on their maintenance schedules and inspection results.

Furthermore, the bill establishes structural integrity standards for transmission and distribution poles, requiring the commission to adopt rules that account for geographic differences and national safety guidelines. Utilities will need to submit annual reports detailing their maintenance activities and any remediation actions taken. The changes in enforcement actions will only apply to those initiated after the bill's effective date, which is set for September 1, 2025. Overall, the bill seeks to improve the resilience of electric infrastructure and ensure that utilities are held accountable for maintaining service quality.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Utilities Code 36.402, Utilities Code 38.005, Utilities Code 38.101 (Utilities Code 38, Utilities Code 36)