81R3376 TJS-D
By: Edwards H.B. No. 444
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the issuance of estimated customer bills by electric
utilities and retail electric providers.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 17, Utilities Code, is
amended by adding Section 17.010 to read as follows:
Sec. 17.010. ESTIMATED BILLS. (a) An electric utility or
retail electric provider may, for good cause, issue a bill to a
customer that is based on an estimate of the amount of electricity
used. The bill must include:
(1) the word "Estimated" prominently displayed; and
(2) notice that the customer may request a meter
reading and defer payment until the reading is taken.
(b) An electric utility or retail electric provider that
receives a customer request to read the meter and defer payment
under Subsection (a) may not disconnect electric utility service
for nonpayment until a reasonable time after the meter is read and
the customer receives a bill based on an actual meter reading. This
section does not apply if the electric utility or retail electric
provider cannot gain access to the premises to read the meter
because of an action or a failure to take an action by the customer.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.