HB3407 - Relating to installation and operation of meter socket adapters for residential electric service customers.

  89R10416 CS-D     By: Lozano H.B. No. 3407       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to installation and operation of meter socket adapters for   residential electric service customers.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 17, Utilities Code, is   amended by adding Section 17.011 to read as follows:           Sec.   17.011.     METER SOCKET ADAPTER. (a)   In this section,   "meter socket adapter" means an electronic device that is installed   between a residential electric meter and the meter socket to   facilitate the deployment of customer-owned or customer-leased   technology.           (b)     The commission by rule shall require an electric utility   to authorize the installation and operation of a meter socket   adapter by a residential electric service customer of the utility,   regardless of whether the adapter is owned by the customer or a   third party, if the adapter meets standards adopted by the   commission.   In adopting the standards, the commission shall   consider:                 (1)     National Electrical Code requirements for   connecting a meter socket adapter to the supply side of the service   disconnect;                 (2)     meter socket adapters approved or listed by a   nationally recognized testing laboratory;                 (3)     ratings of adapters for the meter sockets into   which the adapters are intended to be installed; and                 (4)     certifications of meter socket adapters offered by   a nationally recognized testing laboratory.           (c)     An electric utility is not required to authorize the   installation of a meter socket adapter that prevents access to the   sealed meter socket compartment or the pull section of the service   section of the electric meter or switchboard.           (d)     An electric utility or a third party, including a   manufacturer of meter socket adapters, may install, maintain, and   service a meter socket adapter or associated equipment under this   section on behalf of a residential electric service customer.           (e)     Not later than the 60th day after the date an electric   utility receives a request from a residential customer in the   utility's service area or a third party to approve for installation   a specific model of meter socket adapter, the utility shall approve   or deny the request.           (f)     An electric utility shall publish on the utility's   website a list of each specific model of meter socket adapter the   utility has approved under Subsection (e).   An electric utility   that denies a request to approve a specific model of meter socket   adapter under Subsection (e) shall provide an explanation to the   requestor providing the reason for the denial.          SECTION 2.  The Public Utility Commission of Texas shall   require each electric utility to modify the utility's electric   service requirements as required by Section 17.011, Utilities Code,   as added by this Act, as soon as possible after the effective date   of the rules adopted under that section.          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.