| Vote Recommendation | Economic Freedom | Property Rights | Personal Responsibility | Limited Government | Individual Liberty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
SB 1148, if passed, would make a number of changes to the
Water Code, some smaller, and others more significant. The major change is
would be to introduce Subchapter K-1 (Section 13.451) dealing with emergency
orders which could be issued by the Public Utility Commission. The more minor
changes would be to increase the amount of time that rate increases may be
suspended from 205 days to 265 days, and to increase disclosure requirements
which are placed upon municipally owned utilities (Subsection b-1).
The major change which would allow the Commission to issue
emergency orders. Provided the Commission gives notice and opportunity of a
hearing the Commission may delegate to the executive director the authority to
receive applications, issue emergency orders. It is also noted that emergency
orders which would be issued under this subchapter does not vest any rights in
a person affected by the order.
SB 1148 is mostly a procedural bill, despite the language of
proposed Subchapter 13.451 regarding emergency orders. This process, though not
strictly necessary, adds another capability to the Public Utility Commission.
It is noteworthy that this section includes a requirement that the Commission
provide notice and opportunity for a hearing within a given time period. The
extension of delay of rate changes from 205 days to 265 days is not a welcome
development. On the other hand, the increased disclosure requirements which
would be introduced in Subsection b-1 would be a welcome development in the
name of government transparency. Ultimately the positives and negatives of SB
1148 are marginal and balance each other out and as such we are neutral on the
bill.