Texas Public Utility Commission
| Texas Public Utility Commission | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Office Type: | Nonpartisan |
| Office website: | Official Link |
| Compensation: | $200,000 |
| 2025 FY Budget: | $31,761,438 |
| Total Seats: | 5 |
| Term limits: | None |
| Structure | |
| Length of term: | 6 years |
| Authority: | Texas Utilities Code, Chapter 12, Section 1 |
| Leadership: | Thomas Gleeson |
| Selection Method: | Appointed by Governor |
| Current Officeholder | |
| Lori Cobos, Thomas Gleeson, Jimmy Glotfelty, Courtney Hjaltman, Kathleen Jackson | |
| Other Texas Executive Offices | |
| Governor • Lieutenant Governor • Secretary of State • Attorney General • Comptroller • Auditor • Education Commissioner • Agriculture Commissioner • Insurance Commissioner • Land Commissioner • Workforce Commission • Public Utility Commission • Railroad Commission | |
The Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) is a state executive agency in the Texas state government. The commission is in charge of regulating electric and telecommunications utilities in Texas. Its stated mission is to "protect customers, foster competition, and promote high quality infrastructure."[1]
Current officeholder
The current officeholders are:
- Lori Cobos (nonpartisan)
- Thomas Gleeson (nonpartisan)
- Jimmy Glotfelty (nonpartisan)
- Courtney Hjaltman (nonpartisan)
- Kathleen Jackson (nonpartisan)
Thomas Gleeson is the chairman of the Public Utility Commission. He was appointed as interim Chair by Gov. Greg Abbott (R) on January 23, 2024.[2]
Authority
The chair's powers, term of office, etc. are derived from Chapter 12 of the Texas Utilities Code.
Section 001:
| The Public Utility Commission of Texas exercises the jurisdiction and powers conferred by this title.[3] |
Qualifications
Chapter 12, Section 53 of the Texas Utilities Code establishes the requirements for office:
Section 053 (a) defines qualifications for holding office:
| (a) To be eligible for appointment, a commissioner must be: (1) a qualified voter; (2) a citizen of the United States; and (3) a resident of this state ; (4) a competent and experienced administrator;(5) have at least five years of experience in the administration of business or government, or as a practicing attorney, certified public accountant, or professional engineer..[4] |
Section 053 (b) defines restrictions that prohibit someone from holding office:
| (b) A person is not eligible for appointment as a commissioner if the person:
(1) at any time during the one year preceding appointment: (A) personally served as an officer, director, owner, employee, partner, or legal representative of a public utility, affiliate, or direct competitor of a public utility; or (B) owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, stocks or bonds of any class with a value of $10,000 or more in a public utility, affiliate, or direct competitor of a public utility; or (C) served as an executive officer listed under Section 1, Article IV, Texas Constitution, other than the secretary of state, or a member of the legislature.[4] |
Appointment
The five commissioners are appointed by the governor to six-year, staggered terms. The governor appoints the presiding officer (chair) from the five-member commission to serve at the pleasure of the governor.[5]
Vacancies
The governor fills vacancies by appointment.[5]
Duties
Under Title 2, Subtitle A, Chapter 14, Subchapter A, Sec. 14.001 of the Texas Utilities Code, the commission "has the general power to regulate and supervise the business of each public utility within its jurisdiction and to do anything specifically designated or implied by this title that is necessary and convenient to the exercise of that power and jurisdiction."[6]
Divisions
Note: Ballotpedia's state executive officials project researches state official websites for information that describes the divisions (if any exist) of a state executive office. That information for the Texas Public Utility Commission has not yet been added. After extensive research we were unable to identify any relevant information on state official websites. If you have any additional information about this office for inclusion on this section and/or page, please email us.
State budget
- See also: Texas state budget and finances
The budget for the Texas Public Utilities Commission in Fiscal Year 2025 was $31,761,438.[7]
Compensation
- See also: Compensation of state executive officers
2022
In 2022, each commissioner received a salary of $200,000, according to the Council of State Governments.[8]
2021
In 2021, each commissioner received a salary of $200,000, according to the Council of State Governments.[9]
2020
In 2020, each commissioner received a salary of $159,782 according to the Council of State Governments.[10]
2019
In 2019, each commissioner received a salary of $159,782 according to the Council of State Governments.[11]
2018
In 2018, each commissioner received a salary of $158,075 according to the Council of State Governments.[12]
2017
In 2017, each commissioner received a salary of $158,075 according to the Council of State Governments.[13]
2016
In 2016, each commissioner received a salary of $158,075 according to the Council of State Governments.[14]
2015
In 2015, each commissioner received a salary of $128,780 according to the Council of State Governments.[15]
2014
In 2014, the commissioners each received a salary of $126,250 according to the Council of State Governments.[16]
2013
In 2013, the commissioners were each paid an estimated $120,000. This figure comes from the Council of State Governments.[17]
2010
In 2010, the commissioners were each paid an estimated $115,500 according to the Council of State Governments.[18]
Historical officeholders
The following is a list of public utility commissioners since 1975.[19]
| Name | Took office | Left office |
|---|---|---|
| Alan Erwin | 1975 | 1979 |
| Garrett Morris | 1975 | 1982 |
| George Cowden | 1975 | 1983 |
| Moak Rollins | 1979 | 1983 |
| Tommie Smith | 1982 | 1983 |
| Alan Erwin | 1983 | 1984 |
| Philip Ricketts | 1983 | 1985 |
| Peggy Rosson | 1983 | 1987 |
| Dennis Thomas | 1984 | 1988 |
| Jo Campbell | 1985 | 1991 |
| William Cassin | 1988 | 1989 |
| Marta Greytok | 1987 | 1993 |
| Paul Meek | 1989 | 1992 |
| Robert Gee | 1991 | 1997 |
| Karl Rabago | 1992 | 1995 |
| Sarah Goodfriend | 1993 | 1995 |
| Judy Walsh | 1995 | 2001 |
| Pat Wood III | 1995 | 2001 |
| Pat Curran | 1997 | 1998 |
| Brett A. Perlman | 1999 | 2003 |
| Max Yzaguirre | 2001 | 2002 |
| Rebecca Klein | 2001 | 2004 |
| Julie Caruthers Parsley | 2002 | 2008 |
| Paul Hudson | 2003 | 2008 |
| Barry Smitherman | 2004 | 2011 |
| Donna Nelson | 2008 | 2017 |
| Kenneth Anderson | 2008 | 2017 |
| Rolando Pablos | 2011 | 2013 |
| Brandy Marty Marquez | 2013 | 2018 |
| DeAnn Walker | 2017 | 2021 |
| Arthur D’Andrea | 2017 | 2021 |
| Shelly Botkin | 2018 | 2021 |
| Will McAdams | 2021 | Present |
| Peter Lake | 2021 | 2023 |
| Lori Cobos | 2021 | Present |
| Jimmy Glotfelty | 2021 | Present |
| Kathleen Jackson | 2023 | Present |
Recent news
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Contact information
Physical address: William B. Travis Bldg.
1701 N. Congress Avenue
7th Floor
Austin, TX 78701
Mailing address: 1701 N. Congress Avenue
PO Box 13326
Austin, TX 78711-3326
Phone: (512) 936-7000
See also
| Texas | State Executive Elections | News and Analysis |
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External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Texas Public Utilities Commission, "About the PUCT: Mission and History," accessed January 25, 2021
- ↑ Texas Public Utilities Commission, "Chairman Thomas J. Gleeson," accessed January 25, 2021
- ↑ Texas State Statutes, "Chapter 12 of the Texas Utilities Code," accessed January 25, 2021
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Texas State Statutes, "Chapter 12, Section 53 of the Texas Utilities Code," accessed June 25, 2021
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Public Utility Regulatory Act, "Title II, Texas Utilities Code," accessed January 25, 2021
- ↑ Texas State Statutes, "Utilities Code: Title 2, Subtitle A, Chapter 14, Subchapter A, Section 14.001," January 25, 2021
- ↑ Texas Legislature, "H.B. No. 1 General Appropriations Act," accessed December 6, 2023
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Book of the States 2022 Table 4.11: Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," provided to Ballotpedia by CSG personnel
- ↑ Issuu, "The Book of the States 2021," accessed September 28, 2022
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "The Book of the States 2020," accessed January 25, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "The Book of the States 2019," accessed January 25, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "The Book of the States 2018," accessed January 25, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "The Book of the States 2017," accessed January 25, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2016," accessed August 27, 2016
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2015," accessed August 27, 2016
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," accessed December 8, 2014
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," January 28, 2014
- ↑ The Council of State Governments, "The Book of States 2010 Table 4.11," accessed April 23, 2011
- ↑ Texas Public Utility Commission, "Past Commissioners," accessed January 25, 2021
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