Jurisprudence

March 4, 2021 at 9:00am (CST)

• Location:
  E1.012 (Hearing Room)
• Description:

  Purpose: The purpose of this hearing is to examine the legal responsibilities that the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) and the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC) owe to the people of Texas. The committee will review the legal framework for governance and oversight of these two entities, their relationship to one another under the law, potential legal liabilities, and the legal limits on increases to consumer electricity rates during an emergency.
  The committee will also examine price gouging under the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices-Consumer Protection Act and receive an update from the judiciary on how the judicial system is managing its operations during the ongoing statewide emergency.
  To protect the health and safety of members, staff and the public, the Senate Jurisprudence Committee will strictly follow all Senate rules relating to the pandemic, including the requirement for a negative COVID-19 test to enter the hearing room.
  The Committee will hear invited testimony only.
  A live video broadcast of this hearing will be available here: