Certain commissioners and utility-hearing staff may not work for or represent covered parties in specified matters, with post-service time limits for some restrictions.
Sec. 12.155. PROHIBITION ON EMPLOYMENT OR REPRESENTATION. (a) A commissioner, a commission employee, or an employee of the State Office of Administrative Hearings involved in hearing utility cases may not: (1) be employed by a public utility that was in the scope of the commissioner's or employee's official responsibility while the commissioner or employee was associated with the commission or the State Office of Administrative Hearings; or (2) represent a person before the commission or State Office of Administrative Hearings or a court in a matter: (A) in which the commissioner or employee was personally involved while associated with the commission or State Office of Administrative Hearings; or (B) that was within the commissioner's or employee's official responsibility while the commissioner or employee was associated with the commission or State Office of Administrative Hearings. (b) The prohibition of Subsection (a)(1) applies until the: (1) second anniversary of the date the commissioner ceases to serve as a commissioner; and (2) first anniversary of the date the employee's employment with the commission or State Office of Administrative Hearings ceases. (c) The prohibition of Subsection (a)(2) applies while a commissioner, commission employee, or employee of the State Office of Administrative Hearings involved in hearing utility cases is associated with the commission or State Office of Administrative Hearings and at any time after. (d) A commissioner may not be employed by an independent organization certified under Section 39.151. The prohibition under this subsection applies until the second anniversary of the date the commissioner ceases to serve as a commissioner. Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 166, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997. Amended by: Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 170 (H.B. 1600), Sec. 1.05, eff. September 1, 2013.