89R5745 JRR-D     By: Walle H.B. No. 1846       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the establishment of the Electric Truck Advisory   Council.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Chapter 201, Transportation Code, is amended by   adding Subchapter H-2 to read as follows:   SUBCHAPTER H-2. ELECTRIC TRUCK ADVISORY COUNCIL          Sec. 201.681.  DEFINITIONS.  In this subchapter:                (1)  "Council" means the Electric Truck Advisory   Council established by this subchapter.                (2)  "Electric truck" includes any electric vehicle   with a gross vehicle weight rating of 8,501 pounds or more.          Sec. 201.682.  ESTABLISHMENT; COMPOSITION.  (a)  The   Electric Truck Advisory Council is established.          (b)  Subject to Subsection (c), the council is composed of:                (1)  at least one representative appointed by each of   the following agencies and entities:                      (A)  the governor's office;                      (B)  the department;                      (C)  the Public Utility Commission of Texas;                      (D)  the Electric Reliability Council of Texas;                      (E)  the Texas Commission on Environmental   Quality;                      (F)  the Texas Department of Licensing and   Regulation; and                      (G)  the Texas A&M Transportation Institute;                (2)  at least two representatives from privately owned   utilities providing electric service, appointed by the executive   director of the Public Utility Commission of Texas;                (3)  at least one representative from a publicly owned   utility providing electric service, appointed by the executive   director of the Public Utility Commission of Texas; and                (4)  at least three members from the private sector,   appointed by the director.          (c)  The director shall determine the number of   representatives that each appointing authority under Subsection   (b) may appoint to serve on the council.          (d)  A council member serves at the pleasure of the   appointing authority.          Sec. 201.683.  TERMS; VACANCY. (a)  Council members serve   six-year terms.          (b)  A vacancy on the council shall be filled in the same   manner as the original appointment.  A council member appointed to   fill a vacancy on the council shall serve the remainder of the   unexpired term.          Sec. 201.684.  PRESIDING OFFICER.  The representative of the   department appointed under Section 201.682(b)(1) shall serve as the   presiding officer.          Sec. 201.685.  MEETINGS.  The council shall meet at least   once a month or more frequently at the call of the presiding   officer.          Sec. 201.686.  ADMINISTRATIVE ATTACHMENT; FUNDING. (a)  The   council is administratively attached to the department.          (b)  The council shall be funded using existing funds of the   department.          Sec. 201.687.  GENERAL POWERS AND DUTIES.  The council   shall:                (1)  provide guidance on policies and incentives that   encourage the adoption of electric trucks and the proliferation of   required charging infrastructure;                (2)  provide guidance on regulatory issues specific to   electric trucks to ensure that electric trucks maintain safety and   performance standards;                (3)  serve as a forum for promoting technological   advancements in battery technology, electric drivetrains,   autonomous driving features, and other innovations;                (4)  facilitate discussions and coordination among   private entities, governmental entities, and research institutions   to develop and test new electric truck technologies, share best   practices, and support industry-wide adoption of those   technologies and practices; and                (5)  lead initiatives to educate stakeholders,   including fleet operators, logistics companies, utilities, and   policymakers, regarding electric trucks.          Sec. 201.688.  STATEWIDE STRATEGIC PLAN AND RELATED   IMPLEMENTATION PLANS. (a) The council shall develop a strategic   plan for the statewide implementation of electric truck charging   infrastructure. The plan must:                (1)  identify strategic locations for electric truck   charging infrastructure and the requirements for their development   and construction, including high-capacity power sources, freight   routes, and the ability to construct operation hubs;                (2)  specify each agency subject to the plan; and                (3)  make recommendations for each agency subject to   the plan relating to the agency's role and responsibilities under   the plan.          (b)  The council shall submit the strategic plan to the   administrative head of each agency subject to the plan.          (c)  Not later than the 90th day after receiving the   strategic plan, the administrative head of each agency subject to   the plan shall develop and submit to the governor, the lieutenant   governor, and the legislature a plan for implementing the   recommendations applicable to the agency under the strategic plan.   An implementation plan must include a justification for any   recommendation the agency declines to implement.          Sec. 201.689.  APPLICATION OF SUNSET ACT.  The council is   subject to Chapter 325, Government Code (Texas Sunset Act).  The   council shall be reviewed during the period in which the department   is reviewed under Section 201.204.  Unless continued in existence   as provided by Chapter 325, Government Code, the council is   abolished and this subchapter expires on the date on which the   department is subject to abolishment under that section.          Sec. 201.690.  APPLICATION OF OTHER LAW. Chapter 2110,   Government Code, does not apply to the composition or duration of   the council or to the designation of the council's presiding   officer.          SECTION 2.  (a) Not later than January 31, 2026, the   appropriate appointing authorities shall appoint the members of the   Electric Truck Advisory Council as required by Section 201.682,   Transportation Code, as added by this Act.          (b)  Not later than March 31, 2026, the Electric Truck   Advisory Council established under Subchapter H-2, Transportation   Code, as added by this Act, shall hold its initial meeting.          (c)  Not later than March 1, 2027, the Electric Truck   Advisory Council shall submit the strategic plan required under   Section 201.688, Transportation Code, as added by this Act.          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives   a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as   provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this   Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this   Act takes effect September 1, 2025.