HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution - 2007-R0062 - Advocate Against HB 651 - 02/06/2007Resolution No. 2007-R0062
February 6, 2007
Item No. 6.10
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, traditionally, the governing bodies of home rule municipalities, such as the
City of Lubbock, have acted as the regulatory bodies to review the rates, operations and services
of gas utilities; and
WHEREAS, this authority was granted by statute to locally elected governing bodies to
ensure the gas utility provides fair, just and reasonable rates and provides adequate and efficient
services to the local citizenry to whom the governing body is responsible; and
WHEREAS, this system of review has successfully provided for local citizen input,
oversight and scrutiny of the gas utility's rates, services and actions by requiring public hearings
before the governing body of a municipality; and
WHEREAS, this local process has allowed the direct participation of the customers of the
gas utility to voice their concerns to the governing body of the rates, services and practices of the
gas utility; and
WHEREAS, from the inception of the Gas Utility Regulatory Act, local governments
have performed a vital role in the regulatory process of reviewing and regulating the rates,
operations and services of gas utilities; and
WHEREAS, there has been legislation introduced in the 2007 Regular Session of the 80th
Legislature, House Bill 651, which would give the gas utility the option of opting out of local
regulatory oversight and scrutiny; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Lubbock finds that because this legislation
would eliminate local oversight and scrutiny of a gas utility's rates, operations and services and
is in contravention to the purpose and original intent of the Gas Utility Regulatory Act; NOW
THEREFORE:
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LUBBOCK:
1. THAT, the City of Lubbock hereby requests that the legislature of the State of
Texas vote against House Bill 651 because it eliminates local regulatory control, scrutiny and
oversight of the gas utilities by governing bodies of municipalities.
2. THAT, the City of Lubbock calls on its state representatives, the honorable Carl
Isett and the honorable Delwin Jones, and its senator, the honorable Robert Duncan, to advocate
against House Bill 651 and any companion or successive legislation that would eliminate or
weaken local regulatory control, scrutiny or oversight of the gas utilities by governing bodies of
municipalities.
3. THAT, the City of Lubbock calls on other municipalities in the State of Texas to
join the City of Lubbock in advocating against House Bill 651 and any companion or successive
legislation that would eliminate or weaken local control, scrutiny or oversight of the gas utilities
by governing bodies of municipalities and to contact their local state representatives and senators
to advocate for local control, oversight and scrutiny of gas utilities.
Passed by the City Council this 6th
ATTEST:
Q--0"- Al_
Rebecca Garza, City Secretary
APPROVED AS TO CONTENT:
f1
Gary B e , V
City Councilman
District 3
as/CCDOCS/HB 651 Council Resolution
February 5, 2007
day of February , 2007.
DAVID A. ALLER, MAYOR
- f r STATE OF TEXAS
COUNTY OF LUBBOCK
Before me Alan C. Weems a Notary Public in an
day personally appeared Krista Ramirez
Corporation, publishers of the Lubbock Avalanche -Journal - Morning, and
did dispose and say that said newspaper has run continuously for more 1
insertion of this Legal Notice
No. at Lubbock County, Texas and the attached
printed copy of the Legal Notice is a true copy of the original and was printed in the Lubbock
Avalanche -Journal on the following dates: I 2q i , O�-177 5 c f zc)
dz' --� e - gl�(aM4�
NOTARY PUBLIC in and for the State of Texas
Inside Sales Manager my commission Expires 51712011
LUBBOCK AVALANCHE -JOURNAL
Morris Communication Corporation
Subscribed and sworn to before me this day of4 000.M
��11t fb�L ALAN C WEEMS
FORM 58-10 :•" ' ' Notary Public, State of Texas
My Commission Expires
;n� May 07, 2011