Agenda for July 10, 2012 Hearing

Formal notice of the hearing is here.

PUBLIC HEARING, July 10, 2012, 10:00 a.m.  

Room E1.016, Texas State Capitol Extension, Austin, Texas  (Overflow Room E1.012)

AGENDA

1. Call to Order

2. Quarterly Update

• Ken Anderson, Commissioner, Public Utility Commission

3. Interim Study Charge: Review current and pending ERCOT protocols as they apply to all generation technology, and identify those protocols that may provide operational, administrative, or competitive advantages to any specific generation by fuel type. Consider the impact any revisions to the protocols may have on grid reliability and electricity rates. Make recommendations for revisions or statutory changes to limit distortions in the Texas electrical market.

• H.B. “Trip” Doggett,  President and CEO, Electric Reliability Council of Texas
• Dan Jones, ERCOT Independent Market Monitor, Potomac Economics
• John Fainter, President and CEO, Association of Electric Companies of Texas, Inc.

4. Interim Study Charge:  Study the relationship between city governments and municipally-owned utilities, including any duplicative or redundant functions, the amounts and justifications required for transfer payments between the entities, and the benefits and disadvantages of alternative governance structures.

• Mark Zion, Executive Director, Texas Public Power Association
• Doyle Beneby, CEO, CPS Energy
• Mike Schultz, Mayor, City of Boerne
• Lee Leffingwell, Mayor, City of Austin
• Shane Menking, President and Chief Financial Officer, Data Foundry

5. Interim Study Charge: Conduct a broad review of the Texas homeowners insurance market and make recommendations to improve transparency and consumer education, ensure fair practices, and lower rates. Specifically, consider the following:

o Compare Texas’ homeowners insurance premiums with those of other states and identify the factors underlying Texas’ premium levels and recommend steps that the Legislature may take to reduce homeowners’ rates, if appropriate;

o Study strategies that increase awareness of state insurance resources to help consumers compare rates and coverage among various insurance providers;

o  Study the relationship between insurance premiums and construction costs, especially as associated with recovery from natural disasters, to ensure that consumers are treated fairly;

o  Review the use by insurers, in rating and underwriting decisions, of customer inquiries regarding the general terms or conditions of, or coverage offered under, an insurance policy.

Panel 1

Eleanor Kitzman, Commissioner, Texas Department of Insurance

Panel 2

• Heather Morton, Program Principal, National Conference of State Legislatures
• Deeia Beck, Public Counsel, Office of Public Insurance Counsel
• Julie Drenner, Texas Director, R Street
• Ware Wendell, Director of Legislative Affairs, Texas Watch

Panel 3

• Lee Loftis, Government Affairs Director, Independent Insurance Agents of Texas
• Frank Galitski, Government Affairs Director, Farmers Insurance
• Beaman Floyd, Director, Texas Coalition for Affordable Insurance Solutions
• Ned Muñoz, Vice President of Regulatory Affairs and General Counsel, Texas Association of Builders

6. Public Testimony

7. Recess (End of Hearing)