Texas House Bill HB1098

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

Caption

Relating to certain information that a commercial mobile service provider shall include in a billing statement.

Impact

The enactment of HB 1098 would result in an amendment to Chapter 64 of the Utilities Code, specifically introducing a new subchapter focused on mobile service customer billing. This change is expected to enhance consumer protections by ensuring that information related to contract expirations is explicitly stated, thus reducing confusion for customers and preventing auto-renewals that may occur without the customer's explicit consent. Such clarity in billing processes could lead to improved customer satisfaction and trust in service providers.

Summary

House Bill 1098 aims to enhance transparency in the billing practices of commercial mobile service providers by mandating that they include specific information in their billing statements. One of the primary requirements outlined in the bill is for providers to clearly identify the expiration date of the customer's contract within the billing statement. This legislative move is intended to empower consumers by ensuring they are fully informed about the terms of their contracts, potentially aiding them in making more informed choices regarding their mobile service agreements.

Conclusion

Overall, HB 1098 presents an important legislative step towards ensuring consumer rights in the mobile service sector. By mandating clear visibility of contract-related information within billing statements, it aims to support customers in navigating their service agreements more effectively while holding providers accountable for clear communication.

Contention

While the bill generally aligns with consumer advocacy goals, there may be some concerns from mobile service providers regarding the administrative burden of updating billing systems to comply with the new requirements. Debates may arise around the implementation timeline and the adequacy of the provided notice period for customers. Additionally, stakeholders might discuss whether the requirements are comprehensive enough to cover other essential aspects of mobile services consumer agreements.