Texas Public Utility Commission
| Texas Public Utility Commission | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Office Type: | Non-partisan |
| Office website: | Official Link |
| 2013 FY Budget: | $91,248,007 |
| Total Seats: | 3 |
| Term limits: | None |
| Structure | |
| Length of term: | 6 years |
| Authority: | Texas Utilities Code, Chapter 12, Section 1 |
| Leadership: | Donna Nelson |
| Selection Method: | Appointed by Governor |
| Other Texas Executive Offices | |
| Governor • Lieutenant Governor • Secretary of State • Attorney General • Comptroller • Auditor • Education Commissioner • Agriculture Commissioner • Insurance Commissioner • Land Commissioner • Workforce Commission • Public Utility Commission • Railroad Commission | |
Contents |
Current officeholder
The current chairman is Donna Nelson. She serves alongside Kenneth Anderson. Rolando Pablos resigned his appointment in February 2013.
Authority
The Chairman's powers, term of office, etc. are derived from Chapter 12 of the Texas Utilities Code.
Section 001:
| The Public Utility Commission of Texas exercises the jurisdiction and powers conferred by this title.[2] |
Qualifications
Chapter 12, Section 53 of the Texas Utilities Code establishes the requirements for office:
Section 053 (a) defines qualifications for holding office:
| (a) To be eligible for appointment, a commissioner must be: (1) a qualified voter; (2) a citizen of the United States; and (3) a representative of the general public.[3] |
Section 053 (b) defines restrictions that prohibit someone from holding office:
| (b) A person is not eligible for appointment as a commissioner if the person:
(1) at any time during the two years preceding appointment: (A) personally served as an officer, director, owner, employee, partner, or legal representative of a public utility, affiliate, or direct competitor of a public utility; or (B) owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, stocks or bonds of any class with a value of $10,000 or more in a public utility, affiliate, or direct competitor of a public utilit[4] |
Appointment
The three commissioners are appointed by the governor to six-year, staggered terms. The governor appoints the presiding officer (chairman) from the three-member commission to serve "at the pleasure of the governor."[5]
Vacancies
The governor fills vacancies by appointment.[5]
Duties
Under Title 2, Subtitle A, Chapter 14, Subchapter A, Sec. 14.001 of the Texas Utilities Code, the commission "has the general power to regulate and supervise the business of each public utility within its jurisdiction and to do anything specifically designated or implied by this title that is necessary and convenient to the exercise of that power and jurisdiction."[6]
Divisions
- Fiscal
- IT Planning/Facilities
- Network/Help Desk
- Systems Development
State budget
The budget for the Public Utilities Commission in Fiscal Year 2013 was $91,248,007.[7]
Compensation
- See also: Compensation of state executive officers
2012
In 2012, the public utility commissioners were each paid an estimated $120,000. This figure comes from the Council of State Governments.
2010
In 2010, the members of the Public Utility Commission of Texas were each paid an estimated $115,500 according to the Council of State Governments.[8]
Contact information
Physical address: William B. Travis Bldg.
1701 N. Congress Avenue
7th Floor
Austin, TX 78701
Mailing address: 1701 N. Congress Avenue
PO Box 13326
Austin, TX 78711-3326
Phone: 512/936-7000
See also
External links
References
- ↑ Texas Public Utilities Commission, "About" Accessed October 4, 2011
- ↑ Chapter 12 of the Texas Utilities Code
- ↑ Chapter 12, Section 53 of the Texas Utilities Code
- ↑ Chapter 12, Section 53 of the Texas Utilities Code
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Chapter 12 of the Texas Utilities Code
- ↑ Texas Statutes, "Utilities Code: Title 2, Subtitle A, Chapter 14, Subchapter A, Section 14.001," accessed December 28, 2011
- ↑ Legislative Reference Library of Texas , "General Appropriations Act for the 2012-2013 Biennium," accessed April 6, 2013
- ↑ The Council of State Governments,"The Book of States 2010 Table 4.11," retrieved April 23, 2011
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