81R10108 DAK-D
By: Deshotel H.B. No. 4621
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to certain billing practices by businesses in this state.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subtitle A, Title 5, Business & Commerce Code, is
amended by adding Chapter 74 to read as follows:
CHAPTER 74. BILLING PRACTICES
Sec. 74.001. NO EXTRA CHARGE FOR PAPER INVOICE. (a) A
business in this state:
(1) must include within its basic fee for goods or
services purchased by a customer any cost associated with providing
the customer a paper invoice or similar document for the goods or
services; and
(2) may not impose an extra charge for the service of
providing its customer a paper invoice or similar document for the
goods or services.
(b) Subsection (a) applies to the provision of a paper
invoice or similar document to a customer without regard to how the
invoice or document is physically delivered to the customer,
including by mail.
(c) This section does not apply to billing for goods or
services purchased by a customer through the Internet.
Sec. 74.002. DISCOUNT FOR PAPERLESS BILLING. Section
74.001 does not prevent a business from offering a discount to a
customer who agrees:
(1) not to receive a paper invoice or similar document
for goods or services purchased by the customer; and
(2) to receive the invoice or similar document in an
electronic form over the Internet.
SECTION 2. This Act applies only to a charge for a bill that
is issued on or after the effective date of this Act.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.