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Committee hears bills to boost utility transparency — TDU disclosure and OPIC data access left pending
Summary
Lawmakers considered two bills to improve transparency in utility rate changes and to give the Office of Public Utility Counsel statutory authority to request market data for consumer analysis.
Senators presented two related proposals intended to improve transparency around utility charges and to strengthen the consumer representative’s access to market data.
Senate Bill 16 64, sponsored by Senator Milton, would require a transmission and distribution utility (TDU) to provide a publicly accessible, standalone document with each statement of intent to change rates. The document would include an explanation of the change, the anticipated revenue impact, and current and projected delivery charges for an average residential consumer. Senator Milton said the change followed interim committee work showing that 30–40% of a residential bill can be attributable to transmission charges.
Senate Bill 18 77 (committee substitute), sponsored by Senator Fortner, would expressly authorize the Office of Public Utility Counsel (OPC) to request and receive market data from the PUC, ERCOT and electric utilities, while preserving existing confidentiality protections. The author and supporters said a data team within OPC would enable more detailed analysis of market issues, generation adequacy, long‑term transmission planning and riders.
Witnesses from the Texas Association of Manufacturers, Texas Energy Association of Marketers, the Public Utility Commission of Texas and the Office of Public Utility Counsel provided resource testimony. Katie Coleman (TAM) supported SB 16 64 as a practical step to help customers and retail providers track multiple riders and charges. Catherine Webking of the Texas Energy Association of Marketers also backed the bill, noting that retail electric providers need clearer, centralized publication of TDU and rider changes to validate customer-facing disclosure tools.
Benjamin Barclay of the Office of Public Utility Counsel said SB 18 77 would create capacity within OPC for specialized data analysis while safeguarding confidential information: "This bill ensures that any data team established by OPIC will have access to the information needed to carry out its responsibilities." He said the agency currently relies mostly on publicly available data and that expanded access would permit deeper review of utility filings and system trends. ERCOT said it did not oppose the measure as presented.
Both measures drew support from consumer and industry groups as procedural improvements, and committee members left the bills pending to allow stakeholder input and possible drafting refinements.
