89R14315 CS-D     By: King, et al. H.B. No. 5323       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the creation of the Texas Energy Waste Advisory   Committee.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subtitle A, Title 2, Utilities Code, is amended   by adding Chapter 18 to read as follows:   CHAPTER 18. TEXAS ENERGY WASTE ADVISORY COMMITTEE          Sec. 18.001.  DEFINITION. In this chapter, "committee"   means the Texas Energy Waste Advisory Committee.          Sec. 18.002.  ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMITTEE. The Texas Energy   Waste Advisory Committee is created to make recommendations for   coordinating and improving state agency and interagency programs   that reduce energy waste, increase energy efficiency, and enhance   demand response programs in order to increase reliability of   electric service in the ERCOT power region in accordance with   Section 39.159.          Sec. 18.003.  COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP. (a)  The committee is   composed of seven ex officio members as follows:                (1)  the presiding officer of the commission;                (2)  the chief executive officer of the independent   organization certified under Section 39.151 for the ERCOT power   region;                (3)  the comptroller;                (4)  the executive director of the Texas Department of   Licensing and Regulation;                (5)  the director of the Texas Department of Housing   and Community Affairs;                (6)  the presiding officer of the Texas Commission on   Environmental Quality; and                (7)  the commissioner of the General Land Office.          (b)  An ex officio member may designate an employee of the   member's agency or office to serve in the member's place.          (c)  The presiding officer of the commission or an employee   of the commission designated by the presiding officer shall serve   as the chair of the committee.          (d)  The committee shall meet quarterly at the call of the   chair.          Sec. 18.004.  PROGRAM EVALUATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS. To   improve the reliability of electric service in the ERCOT power   region, the committee shall solicit information from and make   recommendations to the following state agencies and organizations   regarding state programs that have the potential to reduce demand   for electricity in the ERCOT wholesale market during high risk   hours identified by the commission:                (1)  the commission;                (2)  the independent organization certified under   Section 39.151 for the ERCOT power region;                (3)  the comptroller;                (4)  the State Energy Conservation Office;                (5)  the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation;                (6)  the Texas Department of Housing and Community   Affairs;                (7)  the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality; and                (8)  the General Land Office.          Sec. 18.005.  ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT. The commission shall   provide the committee with administrative support, including   meeting space and staff necessary to assist the committee in   carrying out the committee's duties under this chapter.          Sec. 18.006.  CONFIDENTIALITY OF CERTAIN INFORMATION. (a)     Except as provided by Subsection (b), the committee is not subject   to Chapter 551 or 552, Government Code.          (b)  Information written, produced, collected, assembled, or   maintained under law or in connection with the transaction of   official business by the committee or an officer or employee of the   committee is subject to Section 552.008, Government Code, in the   same manner as public information.          Sec. 18.007.  REPORT. Not later than September 1 of each   even-numbered year, the committee shall provide to the legislature   a report on the committee's activities and recommendations.          SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.