Texas Public Utility Commission
| Texas Public Utility Commission | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Office Type: | Nonpartisan |
| Office website: | Official Link |
| Compensation: | $158,075 |
| 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: | DeAnn Walker |
| 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 | |
The Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) is a state executive agency in the Texas state government. The commission is in charge of regulating electric and telecommunications utilities in Texas. Its stated mission is to "protect customers, foster competition, and promote high quality infrastructure."[1]
Current officeholder
The commission is currently chaired by DeAnn Walker, who was appointed to the commission as its chair on September 20, 2017, by Gov. Greg Abbott following the retirement of former chair Donna Nelson.[2] The other current members of the commission are Kenneth Anderson and Brandy Marty Marquez.[3]
Authority
The chair'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.[4] |
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.[5] |
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[6] |
Appointment
The three commissioners are appointed by the governor to six-year, staggered terms. The governor appoints the presiding officer (chair) from the three-member commission to serve "at the pleasure of the governor."[7]
Vacancies
The governor fills vacancies by appointment.[7]
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."[8]
Divisions
- Fiscal
- IT Planning/Facilities
- Network/Help Desk
- Systems Development
State budget
- See also: Texas state budget and finances
The budget for the Texas Public Utilities Commission in Fiscal Year 2013 was $91,248,007.[9]
Compensation
- See also: Compensation of state executive officers
2016
In 2016, each commissioner received a salary of $158,075, according to the Council of State Governments.[10]
2015
In 2015, each commissioner received a salary of $128,780, according to the Council of State Governments.[11]
2014
In 2014, the commissioners each received a salary of $126,250, according to the Council of State Governments.[12]
2013
In 2013, the commissioners were each paid an estimated $120,000. This figure comes from the Council of State Governments.[13]
2010
In 2010, the commissioners were each paid an estimated $115,500, according to the Council of State Governments.[14]
Historical officeholders
| Name | Took office | Left office |
|---|---|---|
| Alan Erwin | 1975 | 1979 |
| Garrett Morris | 1975 | 1982 |
| George Cowden | 1975 | 1983 |
| Moak Rollins | 1979 | 1983 |
| Tommie Smith | 1982 | 1983 |
| Alan Erwin | 1983 | 1984 |
| Philip Ricketts | 1983 | 1985 |
| Peggy Rosson | 1983 | 1987 |
| Dennis Thomas | 1984 | 1988 |
| Jo Campbell | 1985 | 1991 |
| William Cassin | 1988 | 1989 |
| Marta Greytok | 1987 | 1993 |
| Paul Meek | 1989 | 1992 |
| Robert Gee | 1991 | 1997 |
| Karl Rabago | 1992 | 1995 |
| Sarah Goodfriend | 1993 | 1995 |
| Judy Walsh | 1995 | 2001 |
| Pat Wood III | 1995 | 2001 |
| Pat Curran | 1997 | 1998 |
| Brett A. Perlman | 1999 | 2003 |
| Max Yzaguirre | 2001 | 2002 |
| Rebecca Klein | 2001 | 2004 |
| Julie Caruthers Parsley | 2002 | 2008 |
| Paul Hudson | 2003 | 2008 |
| Barry Smitherman | 2004 | 2011 |
| Donna Nelson | 2008 | 2017 |
| Kenneth Anderson | 2008 | present |
| Rolando Pablos | 2011 | 2013 |
| Brandy Marty Marquez | 2013 | present |
| DeAnn Walker | 2017 | present |
Recent news
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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
| Texas | State Executive Elections | News and Analysis |
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External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Texas Public Utilities Commission, "About the PUCT: Mission and History," accessed May 19, 2015
- ↑ Office of the Texas Governor, "Governor Abbott Appoints And Names Walker Chair Of Public Utility Commission Of Texas," September 20, 2017
- ↑ Texas Public Utilities Commission, "About the PUCT: Commissioners," accessed May 19, 2015
- ↑ 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
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Public Utility Regulatory Act, "Title II, Texas Utilities Code" (pdf), accessed May 19, 2015
- ↑ 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 (dead link)
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2016," accessed August 27, 2016
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2015," accessed August 27, 2016
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," accessed December 8, 2014
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," January 28, 2014
- ↑ The Council of State Governments, "The Book of States 2010 Table 4.11," accessed April 23, 2011
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