85R5511 JXC-D
By: Perez H.B. No. 963
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to notice of bill payment assistance programs for certain
electric customers.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter Z, Chapter 39, Utilities Code, is
amended by adding Section 39.9031 to read as follows:
Sec. 39.9031. NOTICE OF ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS. (a) A retail
electric provider, municipally owned utility, or electric
cooperative that provided reduced rates to customers using support
from the former system benefit fund shall provide to those
customers, at least one time, written notice of each bill payment
assistance program that might be available to assist those
customers. Unless the commission under Subsection (b) establishes
an alternative manner in which the notice may be sent, the retail
electric provider, municipally owned utility, or electric
cooperative shall include the notice with a bill sent to the
customer.
(b) The commission may adopt rules establishing an
alternate method of providing the notice described by Subsection
(a).
(c) A notice required by this section must be provided not
later than March 1, 2018.
(d) This section expires September 1, 2019.
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.