HB 1359 - Electric Bill Welfare

HB 1359 establishes a new government program to subsidize electric bills for low-income Texans, especially during extreme weather. It creates a new taxpayer-funded assistance fund, managed by the Public Utility Commission, to cover these costs and reimburse utilities. Although the bill seeks to help vulnerable populations, it opens the door to permanent state-funded utility subsidies without a clear funding cap. The bill’s vague fiscal scope poses long-term financial risks, with a projected $8.5 million hit to taxpayers just in the first biennium. It also expands bureaucracy by adding new state employees and administrative duties. By relying on state dollars rather than private charity or local efforts, this bill grows government and sets a precedent for subsidizing personal expenses with taxpayer funds, and encourages government dependency.