Primary Department: Commissioner, Precinct 1
Primary Department Head/Elected Official: Commissioner Rodney Ellis
Secondary Department: Choose an item.
Secondary Department Head/Elected Official:
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Regular RCA
Type of Request: Resolution
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Justification for 0% MWBE Participation Goal: N/A - Goal not applicable to request
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Justification for 0% Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): N/A - Not a grant item
Request Summary (Agenda Caption):
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Request by the Commissioner of Precinct 1 for approval of a resolution to support HB1359 and SB1513 that would help reduce the cost of electricity for low-income Texans.
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Background and Discussion:
HB1359 filed by Rep. Ana Hernandez SB1513 filed by Sen. Nathan Johnson would develop a new fund to reduce the cost of retail electricity for low-income Texans. This is modeled after a greater than 20-year legislative effort originally led by The Honorable Sylvester Turner who fought to reduce the cost of electricity through a reserve fund. These bills would re-establish financial support by using funds appropriated by the Texas Legislature.
Sen. Johnson said a new fund is needed because electricity rates are “not likely to fall back to previous levels.
Utilities want to charge customers more than ever for disaster-related costs, while pitching historically expensive plans to strengthen their power infrastructure from worsening extreme weather. Plus, the already-strained power grid will need to be expanded to accommodate unprecedented growth from data centers and other power-intensive facilities.
Everyday residents and small businesses continue to face rising electricity costs. This bill could eventually reduce bills by over 25%.
Expected Impact: Reduce the rising costs of electric bills for Harris County residents.
Alternative Options: Electric bills remain burdensome.
County Strategic Plan Goal: 5. Minimize the impact of climate change and disasters.
County Strategic Plan Objective: R: Enhance disaster preparedness, response, recovery, and resiliency.
Justice/Safety Initiative (Goal 1): Choose an item.
Infrastructure Initiative (Goal 2): Choose an item.
Economy Initiative (Goal 3): Choose an item.
Health Initiative (Goal 4): Choose an item.
Climate/Resilience Initiative (Goal 5): Choose an item.
Housing Initiative (Goal 6): Choose an item.
Additional notes related to the Strategic Plan:
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Anticipated Court Date: 4/21/2025
Anticipated Implementation Date (if different from Court date): Click or tap to enter a date.
Emergency/Disaster Recovery Note: Not an emergency, disaster, or COVID-19 related item
Contact(s) name, title, department: Erica Lee Carter, Policy Director
Attachments (if applicable): Bill Language