Minutes, Senate Committee on Business & Commerce, Wednesday, April 1, 2026 10:00 AM (Texas Senate, 89th Legislature)
Summary
Minutes of a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Business & Commerce of the 89th Texas Legislature on April 1, 2026, an interim hearing chaired by Senator Charles Schwertner. The committee laid out the interim charge on securing critical infrastructure and supply chain integrity, which asks it to evaluate the electric grid's supply chain and risks from hostile foreign entities including China, Russia and Iran, and took invited testimony. It also heard updates from the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, the Office of Public Utility Counsel and the Public Utility Commission of Texas, and recessed at 3:14 PM.
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MINUTES
SENATE COMMITTEE ON BUSINESS & COMMERCE
Wednesday, April 1, 2026
10:00 AM
Capitol Extension, Room E1.012
Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule 11.10 and 11.18, a public hearing of
the Senate Committee on Business & Commerce was held on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, in the
Capitol Extension, Room E1.012, at Austin, Texas.
MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Charles Schwertner, Chair None
Senator Phil King, Vice Chair
Senator César Blanco
Senator Donna Campbell
Senator Brent Hagenbuch
Senator Adam Hinojosa
Senator Nathan Johnson
Senator Lois Kolkhorst
Senator José Menéndez
Senator Kevin Sparks
Senator Judith Zaffirini
The Chair called the meeting to order at 10:00 AM. There being a quorum present, the following
business was transacted:
The following member arrived after the roll was called: Senator Kolkhorst.
The Chair laid out the following interim charge and opened invited testimony (see attached
witness list) for discussion:
Securing Critical Infrastructure and Supply Chain Integrity: Evaluate the integrity of the supply
chain for the Texas electric grid and other critical infrastructure. Identify any vulnerabilities or
Senate Committee on Business & Commerce
Minutes
Wednesday, April 1, 2026
Page 2
potential risks posed by hostile foreign entities of concern including, but not limited to, China,
Russia, and Iran. Make recommendations for improvements and an ongoing evaluation process
to remain vigilant in maintaining a reliable and secure Texas electric grid.
Senator King assumed the chair.
Senator Schwertner resumed the chair.
The Chair opened invited testimony (see attached witness list) for updates from the following
agencies:
Electric Reliability Council of Texas
Office of Public Utility Counsel
Public Utility Commission of Texas
There being no further business, at 3:14 PM Senator Schwertner moved that the Committee stand
recessed subject to the call of the Chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.
__________________________________________
Senator Charles Schwertner, Chair
__________________________________________
Annika Vandayar, Clerk
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