Texas House Bill HB2212

Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Caption

Relating to the registration and regulation of customer choice consultants by the Public Utility Commission of Texas.

Impact

This bill impacts state laws by creating oversight for customer choice consultants, which had previously operated without regulation. By requiring registration, the Public Utility Commission gains authority to monitor these consultants, enhancing consumer protections. The bill aims to create more reliable and trustworthy consulting services for Texas residents seeking to navigate their options with retail electric providers. It introduces consumer protection requirements and establishes marketing guidelines to provide transparency in the services offered.

Summary

House Bill 2212 is focused on establishing a regulatory framework governing the registration of residential customer choice consultants in Texas. It amends the Utilities Code to create new sections that define the role and limitations of residential electric customer consulting. The bill specifies that a person must register with the Public Utility Commission to provide consulting services to residential retail customers, ensuring that consumers are protected while engaging with these consultants.

Contention

While the bill is primarily focused on consumer protection, there could be concerns regarding the implications of this regulation on the consulting market. Some stakeholders may worry that mandatory registration could limit the availability of services or impose barriers for new entrants in the market, potentially increasing costs for consumers. Furthermore, the stipulation that consultants cannot be affiliated with retail providers aims to ensure that consultants act in the best interests of consumers. Still, this may be seen as unnecessary regulation by some who advocate for a less structured approach to market entry.