85R10529 JXC-D
By: Perez H.B. No. 2114
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the authority of the Health and Human Services
Commission and the Public Utility Commission of Texas to identify
customers who may be eligible for bill payment assistance programs.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 32, Utilities Code, is
amended by adding Section 32.005 to read as follows:
Sec. 32.005. INCOME ASSISTANCE PROGRAM INFORMATION. (a)
The Health and Human Services Commission may regularly provide to
the commission a list of persons in this state who:
(1) receive medical assistance under the medical
assistance program established under Chapter 32, Human Resources
Code; or
(2) receive benefits under the supplemental nutrition
assistance program established under Chapter 33, Human Resources
Code.
(b) The commission may use the list to assist a municipally
owned utility, electric cooperative, electric utility, or retail
electric provider in providing bill payment assistance to customers
who receive assistance or benefits described by Subsection (a).
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, 2017.