Texas · statute · Tex. Utilities Code · 1,765 active provisions
(a) This code is enacted as a part of the state's continuing statutory revision program, begun by the Texas Legislative Council in 1963 as directed by the legislature in the law codified as Section 323.007, Government Code. The program contemplates a topic-by-topic revision of the state's general and permanent statute…
Chapter 311, Government Code (Code Construction Act), applies to the construction of each provision in this code except as otherwise expressly provided by this code.
A reference in a law to a statute or a part of a statute revised by this code is considered to be a reference to the part of this code that revises that statute or part of that statute.
This title may be cited as the Public Utility Regulatory Act.
(a) This title is enacted to protect the public interest inherent in the rates and services of public utilities. The purpose of this title is to establish a comprehensive and adequate regulatory system for public utilities to assure rates, operations, and services that are just and reasonable to the consumers and to th…
In this title: (1) "Affected person" means: (A) a public utility or electric cooperative affected by an action of a regulatory authority; (B) a person whose utility service or rates are affected by a proceeding before a regulatory authority; or (C) a person who: (i) is a competitor of a public utility with respect to a…
In Subtitle A, "public utility" or "utility" means: (1) an electric utility, as that term is defined by Section 31.002; or (2) a public utility or utility, as those terms are defined by Section 51.002.
(a) The term "person" or "corporation" as used in the definition of "affiliate" provided by Section 11.003(2) does not include: (1) a broker or dealer registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. Section 78a et seq.), as amended; (2) a bank or insurance company as defined under the Securities Exchang…
In this title, an entity, including a utility competitor or utility supplier, is considered to be affected in a manner other than by the setting of rates for that class of customer if during a relevant calendar year the entity provides fuel, utility-related goods, utility-related products, or utility-related services t…
(a) The commission may determine that a person is an affiliate for purposes of this title if the commission after notice and hearing finds that the person: (1) actually exercises substantial influence or control over the policies and actions of a public utility; (2) is a person over which a public utility exercises the…
(a) Chapter 2001, Government Code, applies to a proceeding under this title except to the extent inconsistent with this title. (b) A communication of a member or employee of the commission with any person, including a party or a party's representative, is governed by Section 2001.061, Government Code.
This title shall be construed liberally to promote the effectiveness and efficiency of regulation of public utilities to the extent that this construction preserves the validity of this title and its provisions.
This title shall be construed to apply so as not to conflict with any authority of the United States.
The Public Utility Commission of Texas exercises the jurisdiction and powers conferred by this title.
(a) The principal office of the commission is in Austin. (b) The office shall be open daily during usual business hours. The office is not required to be open on Saturday, Sunday, or a legal holiday.
(a) The commission has a seal bearing the inscription: "Public Utility Commission of Texas." (b) The seal shall be affixed to each record and to an authentication of a copy of a record. The commission may require the seal to be affixed to other instruments. (c) A court of this state shall take judicial notice of the se…
The attorney general shall represent the commission in a matter before a state court, a court of the United States, or a federal public utility regulatory commission.
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 September 1, 2029.
(a) The commission is composed of five commissioners appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate. (b) An appointment to the commission shall be made without regard to the race, color, disability, sex, religion, age, or national origin of the appointee. (c) Commissioners serve staggered, six-year…
(a) The governor shall designate a commissioner as the presiding officer. (b) The presiding officer serves in that capacity at the pleasure of the governor.
The commissioner designated as the presiding officer must be a resident of this state.
(a) To be eligible for appointment, a commissioner must: (1) be a qualified voter; (2) be a citizen of the United States; (3) be a resident of this state; (4) be a competent and experienced administrator; and (5) have at least five years of experience: (A) in the administration of business or government; or (B) as a pr…
(a) It is a ground for removal from the commission if a commissioner: (1) does not have at the time of appointment or maintain during service on the commission the qualifications required by Section 12.053; (2) violates a prohibition provided by Section 12.053 or by Subchapter D; (3) cannot discharge the commissioner's…
A person may not seek nomination or election to another civil office of this state or of the United States while serving as a commissioner. If a commissioner files for nomination or election to another civil office of this state or of the United States, the person's office as commissioner immediately becomes vacant, an…
A vacancy or disqualification does not prevent the remaining commissioner or commissioners from exercising the powers of the commission.