Floor Packet Page No. 65 Amend CSSB 7 in Subchapter Z, Chapter 39, Utilities Code, as added by SECTION 40 of the bill (page 153, between lines 16 and 17), by adding a new Section 39.909 to read as follows: Sec. 39.909. PLAN AND REPORT OF WORKFORCE DIVERSITY AND OTHER BUSINESS PRACTICES. (a) In this section, "small business" and "historically underutilized business" have the meanings assigned by Section 481.191, Government Code. (b) Before January 1, 2000, each electric utility and electric cooperative shall develop and submit to the commission a comprehensive seven-year plan to enhance diversity of its workforce in all occupational categories and for increasing contracting opportunities for small and historically underutilized businesses. The plan must consist of: (1) the electric utility's or electric cooperative's historical and current performance with regard to workforce diversity and contracting with small and historically underutilized businesses; (2) specific goals that the electric utility or electric cooperative will pursue in these areas over the period of the plan; (3) specific programs, strategies, and activities the electric utility or electric cooperative will undertake to achieve each of those goals; and (4) the business partnership initiatives the electric utility or electric cooperative will undertake to facilitate small and historically underutilized business entry into the electric energy market as generators and retail energy providers. (c) The commission by rule shall establish a comprehensive set of incentives to facilitate small and historically underutilized business entry into the electric energy market as generators and retail energy providers. (d) Each electric utility and electric cooperative shall submit an annual report to the commission and the legislature relating to its efforts to improve workforce diversity and contracting opportunities for small and historically underutilized businesses. The report must be submitted by the electric utility or electric cooperative to the commission. The report must include: (1) the diversity of the electric utility's or electric cooperative's workforce as of the time of the report; (2) the electric utility's or electric cooperative's level of contracting with small and historically underutilized businesses; (3) the specific progress made under the plan under Subsection (b); (4) the specific strategies, programs, and activities undertaken under the plan during the preceding year; (5) an assessment of the success of each of those strategies, programs, and activities; (6) the extent to which the electric utility or electric cooperative has carried out its functions through contracts or joint ventures with unaffiliated private entities, including small and historically underutilized businesses; and (7) the specific goals, strategies, programs, and activities the electric utility or electric cooperative will pursue during the next year to increase the diversity of its workforce and contracting opportunities for small and historically underutilized businesses. (e) This section applies to a retail electric provider on certification. The retail electric provider shall submit a plan under Subsection (b) before the first anniversary of the date of certification and submit annual reports after submission of the plan as provided by Subsection (d).