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June 16, 2009
Co-op, Solar bills could go to special session
State Sen. Troy Fraser, R-Horseshoe Bay, said Tuesday that he’s put in a request for several measures, including a bill to improve accountability at member-owned utilities, to be part of an upcoming special legislative session.
Fraser said he understands the governor’s office is hoping for a quick “get-in, get-out” special session of about three days to push through sunset bills to keep several key state agencies operating.
But the special session could go beyond that plan.
A measure to keep the Texas Department of Transportation operating could draw in debate over a controversial provision by state Sen. John Carona, who has been vying for a local-option gas tax in the bill.
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May 7, 2009
Co-op bill closer to House floor vote
A legislative committee approved a proposal late Wednesday to force member-owned utilities to follow open records and meetings requirements, potentially laying the groundwork for the bill to be considered on the House floor.
The legislation, sponsored by state Sen. Troy Fraser, R-Horseshoe Bay, and approved by the Senate last month, was revised by House members to let co-op members take related complaints to the Texas Attorney General’s Office.
Previously, the Senate version directed members to take such complaints to the Public Utility Commission.
Senate Bill 921, carried by state Rep. Patrick Rose, D-Dripping Springs, in the House, was approved by the State Affairs committee last night at about 10 p.m.
It now heads to a committee that will decide whether to send the bill onto the full House floor for a vote.
Fraser and Rose filed the legislation following concerns of closed-door practices at Johnson City-based Pedernales Electric Cooperative. New leadership has since instituted a series of reforms aimed at openness at the country’s largest member-owned utility.
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April 22, 2009
Senate approves co-op bill
The state Senate approved a proposal Wednesday to force member-owned utilities to follow open records and meetings requirements.
The legislation, sponsored by Sen. Troy Fraser, also allows co-op members to take complaints to the Public Utility Commission.
Fraser said the legislation puts co-ops on notice that lawmakers will be watching, and will revisit the plan in two years.
“I don’t want to say we are putting everyone on probation, but we have raised the level of awareness,” said Fraser, R-Horseshoe Bay. “We are going to be watching.”
Fraser filed the legislation following concerns of closed-door practices at Johnson City-based Pedernales Electric Cooperative. New leadership has since instituted a series of reforms aimed at openness at the country’s largest member-owned utility.
Senate Bill 921 was approved on a floor vote of 26 to 4, and now heads to the state House. A companion bill, sponsored by Rep. Patrick Rose, D-Dripping Springs, is pending before a House committee.
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April 4, 2007
Electric bills stall on House floor
Legislative efforts to rein in rising electricity rates and give regulators new powers to oversee the industry hit a series of setbacks Wednesday. State Rep. Robert Tarlton, R-Pasadena, used a legislative maneuver on the House floor to stall debate on Senate Bills 482 and 483. The move slows momentum for the proposals, which could give the state Public Utility Commission new clout over the electric power industry, including authority to lower rates. Rep. Phil King, R-Weatherford, is carrying the House proposals, which are considered weaker than versions the Senate passed last month. King said there’s still enough time in the session to push the bills through and work out the differences with the Senate versions. “We are in very, very good shape,” King said. But state Sen. Troy Fraser, R-Horseshoe Bay, was not nearly so confident. “The real losers today were the electric customers in Texas,” he said. “I continue to be concerned that if we do not pass meaningful legislation, we run the risk of continued market manipulation and high electric prices.” One measure would give the PUC clear authority to review and potentially block the proposed $39 billion buyout of TXU Corp. TXU’s suitors, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. and Texas Pacific Group, are lobbying hard against any review of their deal. The legislative proposals now go back to a House committee for revisions. They won’t come back to the next floor until next week at the earliest.
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