By: Paddie H.B. No. 3379
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the eligibility process for customer service benefits.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 17.007, Utilities Code, is amended to
read as follows:
ELIGIBILITY PROCESS FOR CUSTOMER SERVICE DISCOUNTS BENEFITS.
[The commission by rule shall provide for an integrated eligibility
process for customer service discounts, including discounts under
Sections 39.903 and 55.015 .] The Texas Department of Health and
Human Services, on request of the commission, shall assist in
developing an automatic process to provide for identification of
low-income customers to retail electric providers and certified
telecommunications utilities to enable those providers to offer
customer service, discounts, bill payment assistance, or other
methods of assistance. The commissioner and the Texas Department
of Health and Human Services shall continue the memorandum of
understanding in effect on January 1, 2017 that establishes the
respective duties of the commission and the department in relation
to the automatic process, and may amend the memorandum of
understanding as necessary to achieve the goals of this section.
a) The commission may not require a retail electric provider
or certified telecommunications utility to offer customer service
discounts, bill payment assistance, or other benefits for which the
provider is not reimbursed.
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.