By: Hancock H.B. No. 3638
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to telecommunications and the universal service fund.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter B, chapter 56, Utilities Code, is
amended by adding Section 56.033 to read as follows:
Section 56.033. UNIVERSAL SERVICE FUND STUDY. (a) The
commission shall conduct a review and evaluation of whether the
universal service fund accomplishes the fund's purpose as
prescribed in 56.021.
(b) Not later than January 8, 2013, the commission shall
deliver to the legislature a report for the legislature's revision
and approval on the results of the review and evaluation. The
report must include recommendations that are consistent with the
policies provided by this title.
SECTION 2. Section 56.022, Utilities Code, is amended by
adding Subsection (d) to read as follows:
(d) Notwithstanding any other law, effective January 1,
2012, the uniform charge established by the commission shall not
exceed 4.4% without the approval of the legislature. Nothing in
this section shall be interpreted to require a reduction in
universal service assistance for programs established pursuant to
Sections 56.021(2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), (8), and (9).
SECTION 3. This Act does not supersede or change the terms
of any universal service fund settlement agreement in effect as of
September 1, 2011.
Section 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2011.