88R7066 ANG-F     By: Zwiener H.B. No. 3061       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the creation of certain energy efficiency programs.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Chapter 388, Health and Safety Code, is amended   by designating Sections 388.001 through 388.012 as Subchapter A and   adding a subchapter heading to read as follows:   SUBCHAPTER A.  BUILDING ENERGY PERFORMANCE STANDARDS          SECTION 2.  Chapter 388, Health and Safety Code, is amended   by adding Subchapter B to read as follows:   SUBCHAPTER B.  ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROGRAMS          Sec. 388.051.  ENERGY EFFICIENCY LOAN GUARANTEE PROGRAM.   (a) The comptroller and the State Energy Conservation Office by   rule shall establish and administer a program to issue or guarantee   loans for energy audits, upgrades, or retrofits to increase the   energy efficiency of commercial buildings and residences that are   not newly constructed.          (b)  Rules adopted under this section must establish   eligibility requirements to receive a loan or loan guarantee under   this section.  The requirements must include emissions reduction   cost-effectiveness criteria.          (c)  The State Energy Conservation Office shall:                (1)  use money from federal grants available through   the United States Department of Energy to begin the program   established under this section and leverage private capital or   state resources, if money available under the grants is   appropriated for that purpose; and                (2)  establish policies for the use of federal grants   that are compatible with requirements associated with the issuance   of those grants.          (d)  The State Energy Conservation Office may use a portion   of the money or other resources described by Subsection (c) for   grants, technical assistance, or administrative expenses.          Sec. 388.052.  HOME REBATE PROGRAM.  (a)  The comptroller and   the State Energy Conservation Office shall establish a home rebate   program for whole-house energy savings retrofit programs that will   make rebates available to eligible third-party aggregators and   households, including single-family and multifamily residences, to   make existing residences more energy efficient.          (b)  The State Energy Conservation Office shall establish   program requirements that are compatible with federal standards and   beneficial to the state.          (c)  The State Energy Conservation Office may use money   available to the office for purposes of this section for grants,   technical assistance, and administrative expenses, including   appropriate contracts.          (d)  The State Energy Conservation Office may coordinate   with the Public Utility Commission of Texas and electric utility   providers, including electric cooperatives and municipally owned   utilities, to maximize the benefits of the program established   under this section by combining the benefits of the program with   other programs.          Sec. 388.053.  HIGH-EFFICIENCY ELECTRIC HOME REBATE   PROGRAM. (a) The comptroller and the State Energy Conservation   Office shall establish a high-efficiency electric home rebate   program for electric appliances that have an overall energy benefit   to the state when installed in households, including single-family   and multifamily residences.          (b)  The State Energy Conservation Office shall establish   program requirements that are compatible with federal standards and   beneficial to the state.          (c)  The State Energy Conservation Office may use money   available to the office for purposes of this section for grants,   technical assistance, and administrative expenses, including   appropriate contracts.          Sec. 388.054.  IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAM. (a) The comptroller   and the State Energy Conservation Office shall establish a program   to foster sustained, cost-effective implementation of   international codes, including the International Energy   Conservation Code and its subsequent revisions, to the extent   allowed by state law. The program must provide for training,   grants, and other assistance as necessary.          (b)  The State Energy Conservation Office shall establish   program requirements that are compatible with federal standards and   beneficial to the state.          (c)  The State Energy Conservation Office may use money   available to the office for purposes of this section for grants,   technical assistance, and administrative expenses.           Sec. 388.055.  REQUIRED REPORTS.  The State Energy   Conservation Office annually shall submit to the commission and the   laboratory a report that:                (1)  evaluates the effectiveness of the programs   established under this subchapter; and                (2)  quantifies energy savings and emissions   reductions as a result of programs established under this   subchapter for consideration in the state implementation plan for   emissions reduction credit.          Sec. 388.056.  EXPIRATION.  This subchapter expires December   31, 2031.          SECTION 3.  Section 389.002, Health and Safety Code, is   amended to read as follows:          Sec. 389.002.  USE OF CERTAIN INFORMATION FOR FEDERAL   RECOGNITION OF EMISSIONS REDUCTIONS. The commission, using   information derived from the reports to the commission under   Sections 386.205, 388.003(e), [and] 388.006, and 388.055, shall   take all appropriate and necessary actions so that emissions   reductions achieved by means of activities under Chapters 386 and   388 are credited by the United States Environmental Protection   Agency to the appropriate emissions reduction objectives in the   state implementation plan.          SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.