HB 191
Slawson Bill Moves PUC Picks From Governor To Three-Person Committee
Filed
Verdict: Smells
Why it's charged
New fee, fund, board or appointees
THE TEXT
“The Public Utilities Commission Selection Committee is composed of:”
Bill text, introduced version (I)
The bill creates a new appointed committee with three seats and expense reimbursement. The caption openly promises an appointment committee, but the text calls it a "Selection Committee" and also lets it hire an outside consulting firm.
New fee, fund, board or appointeesInitial review · graded Nov 10, 2026 · How we grade
Caption
relating to the Public Utilities Commission process for appointment and terms of commissioners, creation of an appointment committee, and restrictions on lobbying activities by former commissioners.
Caption from analyzed text · version I.
Summary
Governor, lieutenant governor and speaker each name one member. It may hire an outside consulting firm.
This bill takes the power to pick Public Utilities Commission members away from the governor and the senate and gives it to a new three-person committee. The committee gets one member each from the governor, the lieutenant governor and the speaker; it chooses the commissioners and their chair and vice chair, and it may hire an outside consulting firm to help. Commissioner terms drop from six years to five, and former commissioners must wait three years instead of one before lobbying the commission.
Receipt
The receipt
90R-HB191 · 2026-11-09
SOLD BY
ITEM
relating to the Public Utilities Commission process for appointment and terms of commissioners, creation of an appointment committee, and restrictions on lobbying activities by former commissioners.
WHAT IT DOES
Governor, lieutenant governor and speaker each name one member. It may hire an outside consulting firm.
This bill takes the power to pick Public Utilities Commission members away from the governor and the senate and gives it to a new three-person committee. The committee gets one member each from the governor, the lieutenant governor and the speaker; it chooses the commissioners and their chair and vice chair, and it may hire an outside consulting firm to help. Commissioner terms drop from six years to five, and former commissioners must wait three years instead of one before lobbying the commission.
CHARGES
[x] NEW FEE, FUND, BOARD OR APPOINTEESanalysis confidence 60%
THE TEXT
“The Public Utilities Commission Selection Committee is composed of:”
Bill text, introduced version (I)
The bill creates a new appointed committee with three seats and expense reimbursement. The caption openly promises an appointment committee, but the text calls it a "Selection Committee" and also lets it hire an outside consulting firm.
TOTAL
No fiscal note in the loaded record.
HISTORY
- Filed
FILED UNDER
THE TEXT
“The committee may retain an outside consulting firm to help select members of the governing body under Subsection (d).”
Bill text, introduced version (I)
The bill creates a new three-member appointed committee and lets it hire an outside consulting firm to help pick utility regulators.
THANK YOU FOR CHECKING THE RECEIPT
CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY
CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY
Donors
Not tied to this bill.
Sources
The author's campaign account only. Own money and internal transfers are separate on the member page.
Derived itemized flow · Oct 30, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.
Court Reform Action for Families Texas PAC$50,000.00
Court Reform Action for Families Texas PAC
$50,000.00
- Cash
- $50,000.00
- Paid by others
- $0.00
- Total
- $50,000.00
Also funds 32 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Feb 20, 2026 to Oct 14, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
TEC account match.
TeamSources
Derived itemized flow · on Jul 6, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.
Report IDs: 101069356.
Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC$25,083.33
Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC
$25,083.33
- Cash
- $25,000.00
- Paid by others
- $83.33
- Total
- $25,083.33
Also funds 124 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Jul 10, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
TEC account match.
TeamSources
Derived itemized flow · Jun 25, 2025 to Sep 29, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.
Report IDs: 101010888, 101033988, 101072692.
Missing data does not establish zero giving. Display amounts are rounded.
Court Reform Action for Families Texas PAC
$50,000.00
- Cash
- $50,000.00
- Paid by others
- $0.00
- Total
- $50,000.00
Also funds 32 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Feb 20, 2026 to Oct 14, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
TEC account match.
TeamSources
Derived itemized flow · on Jul 6, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.
Report IDs: 101069356.
Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC
$25,083.33
- Cash
- $25,000.00
- Paid by others
- $83.33
- Total
- $25,083.33
Also funds 124 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Jul 10, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
TEC account match.
TeamSources
Derived itemized flow · Jun 25, 2025 to Sep 29, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.
Report IDs: 101010888, 101033988, 101072692.
Votes
No floor vote loaded for this bill.
Fiscal
No fiscal note in the loaded record.
How this was graded
Analysis of text version I by a super-expensive superintelligence, Nov 10, 2026, against the published rubric.
Sources
Texas House · Filed Nov 9, 2026
11/09/2026 H Filed
Texas Legislature Online · Introduced
Data snapshot Nov 10, 2026 at 9:11 AM CST. Grades, charges, quotes and corrections follow the published record.
Subjects
Governor
State Agencies, Boards & Commissions
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR
LOBBYISTS & LOBBYING
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE
PUBLIC UTILITY COMMISSION
Text
The text as introduced · 356 words
By: Slawson H.B. No. 191 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to the Public Utilities Commission process for appointment and terms of commissioners, creation of an appointment committee, and restrictions on lobbying activities by former commissioners. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 12.051, Utilities Code, is amended to read as follows: Sec. 12.051. APPOINTMENT; TERM. (a) The commission is composed of five commissioners appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate the Public Utilities Commission Appointment Committee . (b) An appointment to the commission shall be made without regard to the race, color, disability, sex, religion, age, or national origin of the appointee. (c) Commissioners serve staggered, six five- year terms. SECTION 2. Section 12.060, Utilities Code, is amended to read as follows: Sec. 12.060. FORMER COMMISSIONER: LOBBYING RESTRICTED. A former member of the commission may not, before the first third anniversary of the date the member ceases to be a member of the commission, engage in an activity before the commission that requires registration under Chapter 305, Government Code. SECTION 3. Section 12.061, Utilities Code, is added to read as follows: Sec. 12.061. PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION SELECTION COMMITTEE. (a) The Public Utilities Commission Selection Committee is composed of: (1) one member appointed by the governor; (2) one member appointed by the lieutenant governor; and (3) one member appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives. (b) A person may not be appointed as a member of the committee unless the person is a resident of this state. (c) A member of the committee is not entitled to compensation for serving as a member but is entitled to reimbursement for actual and necessary expenses incurred in performing the official duties of office. (d) The committee shall select members eligible under Section 12.053 to serve on the commission and shall designate the chair and vice chair of the governing body from those members. (e) The committee may retain an outside consulting firm to help select members of the governing body under Subsection (d). SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2027.