81R11064 TJS-D
By: Weber H.B. No. 4011
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the use of money in the system benefit fund to purchase
advanced meters for low-income customers.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 39.903(e), Utilities Code, is amended to
read as follows:
(e) Money in the system benefit fund may be appropriated to
provide funding solely for the following regulatory purposes, in
the following order of priority:
(1) programs to:
(A) assist low-income electric customers by
providing the 10 percent reduced rate prescribed by Subsection (h);
and
(B) provide one-time bill payment assistance to
electric customers who are or who have in their households one or
more seriously ill or disabled low-income persons and who have been
threatened with disconnection for nonpayment;
(2) customer education programs, administrative
expenses incurred by the commission in implementing and
administering this chapter, and expenses incurred by the office
under this chapter;
(3) programs to assist low-income electric customers
by providing the targeted energy efficiency programs described by
Subsection (f)(2), including programs to provide low-income
electric customers with advanced meters;
(4) programs to assist low-income electric customers
by providing the 20 percent reduced rate prescribed by Subsection
(h); and
(5) reimbursement to the commission and the Health and
Human Services Commission for expenses incurred in the
implementation and administration of an integrated eligibility
process created under Section 17.007 for customer service discounts
relating to retail electric service, including outreach expenses
the commission determines are reasonable and necessary.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2009.