AT THE CAPITOL
News from the 88th legislative session
QUOTE OF NOTE
Senate unveils bills to reform the power grid after failures in 2021
FOCUS ON THE GRID
“I WILL WORK TO SAFEGUARD HONEST AND ACCURATE ELECTIONS IN ALL 254 COUNTIES ACROSS OUR GREAT STATE WHILE CONTINUING TO SUPPORT BUSINESS OWNERS BY ENSURING THAT GOVERNMENT MOVES AT THE SPEED OF TEXAS BUSINESS,
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and a group of Texas senators created a nine-bill plan to improve the state power grid. Some details on the top bills in the package include:
BY HANNAH NORTON
SB 6 would also establish a low- cost loan program to “maintain, restore and keep in operation current dispatchable generation here in Texas,” Schwertner said. Dispatchable power comes from sources such as natural gas and coal, and both Patrick and Gov. Greg Abbott said supporting those sources is a top priority. Schwertner also highlighted SB 7, which would “level the playing field” between dispatchable and renewable power by providing incentives for companies to create new dispatch- able energy. SBs 6 and 7 were filed by Schwert- ner and Sen. Phil King, R-Weatherford, the chair and vice chair, respectively, of the Senate Business and Commerce Committee. Schwertner said senators were working closely with the Texas House to pass the reform package.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and a bipartisan group of Texas senators shared the details of a nine-bill plan to improve the reliability of Texas’ power grid. The March 9 announcement came about two years after Winter Storm Uri devastated Texas and revealed issues with the state’s power grid in 2021, which lawmakers and energy regulators are still working to fix. The first bill in the package, Senate Bill 6, would create the Texas Energy Insurance Program. Sen. Charles Schwertner, R-Georgetown, said the program would add 10,000 megawatts of energy—enough to power 7.5 million homes—to the state power supply. Schwertner said the program would provide backup power for the state, similar to the generators people buy for their homes. Texas needs its own backup generator that can be used in times of crisis, he said. CHIPPING AWAY If approved, the Texas Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors and Science Act would help expand the production of semiconductor chips statewide. The bills would create a consortium, which would consist of:
Senate Bill 6
• Add 10,000 megawatts of energy to the state power supply • Create backup power for the state in times of crisis or severe weather • Provide low-cost loans to help communities generate power from natural gas and coal The Texas Energy Insurance Program
NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND.”
FORMER STATE SEN. JANE NELSON AFTER SHE WAS CONFIRMED AS TEXAS’ 115TH SECRETARY OF STATE
Senate Bill 2012
• Prevent power companies from charging high prices for energy • Create legislative committee to oversee grid reliability Protecting Texans from price gouging
UPDATES FROM LOCAL LEGISLATORS
Senate Bill 2013
STATE REP. LACEY HULL Houston Republican Elected: 2020
SOURCE: TEXAS SENATE/COMMUNITY IMPACT • Increase security of Texas power grid • Protect grid from cyber and physical attacks Strengthening grid infrastructure
House Bill 1337 would remove barriers to mental health treatment for bipolar, major depressive, obsessive-compulsive and other serious psychological disorders by reforming a practice known as step therapy, Hull said. Currently, if a doctor wanted to prescribe a new treatment they believe would effectively treat a mental illness, the patient must prove several less expensive treatment options were unsuccessful before insurance would cover the more costly solution.
Lawmakers appointed to special Texas House committee on firearms
Plans underway to boost semiconductor creation
BY HANNAH NORTON
BY HANNAH NORTON
Two Texas lawmakers have filed bills to create the Texas Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors Act, which is aimed at expanding the state’s development and research in the semiconductor industry. Similar to the federal CHIPS and Science Act, the Texas CHIPS Act would provide funding and support for semiconductor research, manufacturing and workforce development. Gov. Greg Abbott announced his support for the proposals at a March 15 news conference with Senate Finance Committee Chair Joan Huffman and House Appropriations Committee Chair Greg Bonnen, who authored Senate Bill 2288 and House Bill 5174, respectively. The bills are identical. In recent years, major semicon- ductor companies have moved or expanded to Texas, including
A new Texas House committee will handle all proposed legislation related to guns and firearm safety during the legislative session. The House Select Committee on Community Safety includes 13 representatives from across Texas. Two members previously served on the Robb Elementary Shooting Investigative Committee, which was created in June at the request of Gov. Greg Abbott. Some members appointed to the committee represent communities that have been impacted by mass shootings in recent years, according to a March news release. Bills related to the possession, use, sale and transfer of firearms and ammunition will be referred to the select committee alongside bills about gun-related criminal offenses. The committee held its first meeting March 21.
Academic officials from 18 Texas universities, community colleges and technical colleges Three members appointed by Gov. Greg Abbott Two members appointed by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick Additionally: The bills would create the Texas Semicon- ductor Innovation Fund. Two members appointed by House Speaker Dade Phelan
STATE SEN. PAUL BETTENCOURT Houston Republican Elected: 2014
Senate Bill 1474 would change the special education allotment for public schools to a system consisting of seven weighted funding tiers based on the intensity of services students need. It would also create an education savings account program for students with disabilities, giving families $7,250 per year, per child, for education-related expenses. Additionally, this bill could launch a grant program incentivizing retired teachers to return to public education to teach special education students. Sign up for our newsletter at communityimpact.com for daily updates throughout the session. SUBSCRIBE TODAY
SOURCE: TEXAS LEGISLATURE ONLINE/ COMMUNITY IMPACT
Samsung in Central Texas and Texas Instruments in North Texas. State leaders have said they hope to maintain that trend and make Texas an international leader in the semiconductor industry through the Texas CHIPS Act.
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CY-FAIR EDITION • APRIL 2023
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