TITLE: Relating to access to and use of criminal history record information by the Public Utility Commission of Texas.

SUMMARY: Relating to access to and use of criminal history record information by the Public Utility Commission of Texas.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to access to and use of criminal history record information by the Public Utility Commission of Texas. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 411.14031, Government Code, is amended by amending Subsections (a), (b), and (c) and adding Subsections (a-1) and (b-1) to read as follows: (a) The Public Utility Commission of Texas is entitled to obtain as provided by Subsection (a-1) [from the department] criminal history record information [maintained by the department] that relates to:(1) an applicant for employment with the commission; (2) an employee of the commission who is granted access to: (A) the records of an independent organization certified by the Public Utility Commission of Texas under Section 39.151, Utilities Code; or (B) critical infrastructure information that is confidential under state or federal law; or (3) a person who enters into a contract with the commission and is granted under that contract access to information in the commission's records that is confidential under state or federal law [a person undergoing a background and criminal history check under Section 12.107, Utilities Code].(a-1) Subject to Section 411.087 and consistent with the public policy of this state, the Public Utility Commission of Texas is entitled to: (1) obtain through the Federal Bureau of Investigation criminal history record information maintained or indexed by that bureau that pertains to a person described by Subsection (a); and (2) obtain from the department or any other criminal justice agency in this state criminal history record information maintained by the department or that criminal justice agency that relates to a person described by Subsection (a). (b) Criminal history record information obtained under Subsection (a-1) [(a): [(1)] is for the exclusive use of the Public Utility Commission of Texas and is privileged and confidential.(b-1) The Public Utility Commission of Texas may not release or disclose to any person criminal history record information obtained from the Federal Bureau of Investigation under Subsection (a-1)(1). Criminal history record information obtained by the Public Utility Commission of Texas under Subsection (a-1)(2) [; and [(2)] may not be released or disclosed to any person or agency except on court order or with the consent of the person who is the subject of the information. (c) The Public Utility Commission of Texas shall [may] destroy criminal history record information obtained under this section [Subsection (a)] after the information is used for the purpose authorized by this section. SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.