TITLE 16.ECONOMIC REGULATION

Part 2. PUBLIC UTILITY COMMISSION OF TEXAS

Chapter 25. SUBSTANTIVE RULES APPLICABLE TO ELECTRIC SERVICE PROVIDERS

Subchapter A. GENERAL PROVISIONS

16 TAC §25.4

The Public Utility Commission of Texas (commission) adopts an amendment to §25.4, relating to Statement of Nondiscrimination with changes to the proposed text as published in the September 29, 2000 Texas Register (25 TexReg 9794). The amendment is necessary to implement the provisions of the Public Utility Regulatory Act (PURA) §17.004(a)(4) and §64.004(a)(4), which add "income level" and "source of income" as protected categories, and add a prohibition on "unreasonable discrimination on the basis of geographic location." The amendment expands the application of the rule to all electric utilities and retail electric providers. This amendment was adopted under Project Number 21232.

The commission received no comments on the proposed amendment.

The commission amends the proposed rule to replace the term electric service provider with retail electric provider to be consistent with the customer protection rules (§§25.471 - 25.475, 25.477 - 25.485, 25.491, and 25.492 relating to Customer Protection Rules for Retail Electric Service), as adopted. The reference to electric service provider in proposed §25.471(d)(8) of this title (relating to Generic Provisions of Customer Protection Rules) no longer exists.

This amendment is adopted under the Public Utility Regulatory Act, Texas Utilities Code Annotated §14.002 (Vernon 1998, Supplement 2001) (PURA) which provides the commission with the authority to make and enforce rules reasonably required in the exercise of its powers and jurisdiction; and specifically, PURA §17.004(a)(4) and §64.004(a)(4), that require protection from discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, nationality, religion, marital status, income level, or source of income and from unreasonable discrimination on the basis of geographic location.

Cross Reference to Statutes: Public Utility Regulatory Act §§14.002, 17.004(a)(4), and 64.004(a)(4).

§25.4.Statement of Nondiscrimination.

(a)

No electric utility or retail electric provider shall discriminate on the basis of race, nationality, color, religion, sex, marital status, income level, or source of income.

(b)

No electric utility or retail electric provider shall unreasonably discriminate on the basis of geographic location.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on February 2, 2001.

TRD-200100690

Rhonda Dempsey

Rules Coordinator

Public Utility Commission of Texas

Effective date: February 22, 2001

Proposal publication date: September 29, 2000

For further information, please call: (512) 936-7308


Chapter 27. RULES FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES

Subchapter B. HISTORICALLY UNDERUTILIZED BUSINESSES

16 TAC §27.31

The Public Utility Commission of Texas (commission) adopts new §27.31, relating to Historically Underutilized Businesses with no changes to the proposed text as published in the November 17, 2000 Texas Register (25 TexReg 11361). The commission received no comments on the proposed rule. The rule is necessary to comply with Texas Government Code §2161.003, which requires the commission to adopt the General Services Commission rules for Historically Underutilized Businesses. The new rule adopts by reference the rules of the Texas General Services Commission in 1 Texas Administrative Code (TAC), §§111.11, 111.13, 111.14, 111.26, and 111.27, relating to the historically underutilized business (HUB) program for state purchases. This new section was adopted under Project Number 23025.

This section is adopted under the Public Utility Regulatory Act, Texas Utilities Code Annotated §14.002 and §14.052 (Vernon 1998, Supplement 2000) (PURA) which provides the commission with the authority to make and enforce rules reasonably required in the exercise of its powers and jurisdiction, including rules of practice and procedure.

Cross Reference to Statutes: Public Utility Regulatory Act §14.002 and §14.052; and 1 Texas Administrative Code §§111.11, 111.13, 111.14, 111.26, and 111.27.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on February 2, 2001.

TRD-200100689

Rhonda Dempsey

Rules Coordinator

Public Utility Commission of Texas

Effective date: February 22, 2001

Proposal publication date: November 17, 2000

For further information, please call: (512) 936-7308


Subchapter C. NEGOTIATION AND MEDIATION OF CERTAIN CONTRACT DISPUTES

The Public Utility Commission of Texas (commission) adopts new Subchapter C, relating to Negotiation and Mediation of Certain Contract Disputes, in new Chapter 27, Rules for Administrative Services with no changes to the proposed text as published in the November 17, 2000 Texas Register (25 TexReg 11362). The commission received no comments on the proposed rules. The new rules are necessary to comply with Texas Government Code, §2260.052, which requires the commission to develop rules to govern the negotiation and mediation of certain contract claims against the state. These new sections were adopted under Project Number 23026.

The following sections have been adopted: In Division 1, General, §27.61, Purpose, §27.63, Applicability, §27.65, Definitions, §27.67, Prerequisites to Suit, §27.69, Sovereign Immunity; Division 2, Negotiation of Contract Disputes, §27.81, Notice of Claim of Breach of Contract, §27.83, Agency Counterclaim, §27.85, Request for Voluntary Disclosure of Additional Information, §27.87, Duty to Negotiate, §27.89, Timetable, §27.91, Conduct of Negotiation, §27.93, Settlement Approval Procedures, §27.95, Settlement Agreement, §27.97, Cost of Negotiation, §27.99, Request for Contested Case Hearing; Division 3, Mediation of Contract Disputes, §27.111, Mediation Timetable, §27.113, Conduct of Mediation, §27.115, Agreement to Mediate, §27.117, Qualifications and Immunity of the Mediator, §27.119, Confidentiality of Mediation and Final Settlement Agreement, §27.121, Costs of Mediation, §27.123, Settlement Approval Procedures, §27.125, Initial Settlement Agreement, §27.127, Final Settlement Agreement, §27.129, Referral to the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH); Division 4, Assisted Negotiation Processes, §27.141, Assisted Negotiation Processes, §27.143, Factors Supporting the Use of Assisted Negotiation Processes, and §27.145, Use of Assisted Negotiation Processes.

1. GENERAL

16 TAC §§27.61, 27.63, 27.65, 27.67, 27.69

These sections are adopted under the Public Utility Regulatory Act, Texas Utilities Code Annotated §14.002 and §14.052 (Vernon 1998, Supplement 2001) (PURA) which provides the commission with the authority to make and enforce rules reasonably required in the exercise of its powers and jurisdiction, including rules of practice and procedure, and under Texas Government Code, Chapter 2260, regarding Resolution of Certain Contract Claims with the State; and specifically §2260.052(c) which requires each unit of state government with rulemaking authority to develop rules to govern the negotiation and mediation of a claim under this section.

Cross Reference to Statutes: Public Utility Regulatory Act §14.002 and §14.052; Civil Practice & Remedies Code, Chapters 107 and 152 and §§154.023, 154.053, and 154.055; Texas Government Code, Chapters 552, 2001, 2009, 2260, and §2166.001; and Transportation Code §201.112.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on February 2, 2001.

TRD-200100684

Rhonda Dempsey

Rules Coordinator

Public Utility Commission of Texas

Effective date: February 22, 2001

Proposal publication date: November 17, 2000

For further information, please call: (512) 936-7308


2. NEGOTIATION OF CONTRACT DISPUTES

16 TAC §§27.81, 27.83, 27.85, 27.87, 27.89, 27.91, 27.93, 27.95, 27.97, 27.99

These sections are adopted under the Public Utility Regulatory Act, Texas Utilities Code Annotated §14.002 and §14.052 (Vernon 1998, Supplement 2001) (PURA) which provides the commission with the authority to make and enforce rules reasonably required in the exercise of its powers and jurisdiction, including rules of practice and procedure, and under Texas Government Code, Chapter 2260, regarding Resolution of Certain Contract Claims with the State; and specifically §2260.052(c) which requires each unit of state government with rulemaking authority to develop rules to govern the negotiation and mediation of a claim under this section.

Cross Reference to Statutes: Public Utility Regulatory Act §14.002 and §14.052; Civil Practice & Remedies Code, Chapters 107 and 152 and §§154.023, 154.053, and 154.055; Texas Government Code, Chapters 552, 2001, 2009, 2260, and §2166.001; and Transportation Code §201.112.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on February 2, 2001.

TRD-200100685

Rhonda Dempsey

Rules Coordinator

Public Utility Commission of Texas

Effective date: February 22, 2001

Proposal publication date: November 17, 2000

For further information, please call: (512) 936-7308


3. MEDIATION OF CONTRACT DISPUTES

16 TAC §§27.111, 27.113, 27.115, 27.117, 27.119, 27.121, 27.123, 27.125, 27.127, 27.129

These sections are adopted under the Public Utility Regulatory Act, Texas Utilities Code Annotated §14.002 and §14.052 (Vernon 1998, Supplement 2001) (PURA) which provides the commission with the authority to make and enforce rules reasonably required in the exercise of its powers and jurisdiction, including rules of practice and procedure, and under Texas Government Code, Chapter 2260, regarding Resolution of Certain Contract Claims with the State; and specifically §2260.052(c) which requires each unit of state government with rulemaking authority to develop rules to govern the negotiation and mediation of a claim under this section.

Cross Reference to Statutes: Public Utility Regulatory Act §14.002 and §14.052; Civil Practice & Remedies Code, Chapters 107 and 152 and §§154.023, 154.053, and 154.055; Texas Government Code, Chapters 552, 2001, 2009, 2260, and §2166.001; and Transportation Code §201.112.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on February 2, 2001.

TRD-200100686

Rhonda Dempsey

Rules Coordinator

Public Utility Commission of Texas

Effective date: February 22, 2001

Proposal publication date: November 17, 2000

For further information, please call: (512) 936-7308


4. ASSISTED NEGOTIATION PROCESSES

16 TAC §§27.141, 27.143, 27.145

These sections are adopted under the Public Utility Regulatory Act, Texas Utilities Code Annotated §14.002 and §14.052 (Vernon 1998, Supplement 2001) (PURA) which provides the commission with the authority to make and enforce rules reasonably required in the exercise of its powers and jurisdiction, including rules of practice and procedure, and under Texas Government Code, Chapter 2260, regarding Resolution of Certain Contract Claims with the State; and specifically §2260.052(c) which requires each unit of state government with rulemaking authority to develop rules to govern the negotiation and mediation of a claim under this section.

Cross Reference to Statutes: Public Utility Regulatory Act §14.002 and §14.052; Civil Practice & Remedies Code, Chapters 107 and 152 and §§154.023, 154.053, and 154.055; Texas Government Code, Chapters 552, 2001, 2009, 2260, and §2166.001; and Transportation Code §201.112.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on February 2, 2001.

TRD-200100687

Rhonda Dempsey

Rules Coordinator

Public Utility Commission of Texas

Effective date: February 22, 2001

Proposal publication date: November 17, 2000

For further information, please call: (512) 936-7308