By: Murr H.B. No. 3641
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to billing for telephone service during service
interruptions and establishing reporting requirements.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 64.053, Utilities Code, is amended to
read as follows:
(a) The commission may require a telecommunications service
provider to submit reports to the commission concerning any matter
over which it has authority under this chapter.
(b) The commission shall adopt rules requiring
telecommunications service providers to report significant
interruptions of service that occur as a result of any hurricane,
ice or snow storm, flood, or other weather-related event or natural
disaster. The rules may require telecommunications service
providers to submit plans for service restoration for service
interruptions lasting longer than 72 hours.
SECTION 2. Chapter 64, Utilities Code, is amended by adding
Subchapter F, as follows:
SUBCHAPTER F. PROTECTION AGAINST UNFAIR CHARGES
Sec. 64.301. BILLING DURING SERVICE INTERRUPTIONS
(a) A telecommunications service provider shall not bill a
customer for services during periods when service to the customer
has been interrupted as a result of any hurricane, ice or snow
storm, flood, or other weather-related event or natural disaster.
(b) The commission has the authority to enforce this
section, including ordering refunds.
SECTION 3. Section 65.102(b), Utilities Code, is amended to
read as follows:
(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, the
commission has only the authority provided by this section over a
deregulated company that holds a certificate of operating authority
issued under this subchapter. Subject to Subsection (c), the
following provisions apply to a deregulated company and may be
enforced by the commission using the remedies provided by
Subchapter B, Chapter 15, and Subsection (d):
(1) Subchapter A, Chapter 15;
(2) Subchapters A, C, and D, Chapter 17, as applicable
to carriers holding a certificate of operating authority;
(3) Sections 52.007, 52.060, and 52.156;
(4) Sections 54.001, 54.002, 54.003, 54.004, 54.005,
54.006, 54.008(a), 54.101, 54.102, 54.103, 54.105, 54.151, 54.156,
54.158, 54.159, 54.255, 54.256, 54.257, 54.259, 54.260, and 54.261;
(5) Sections 55.010, 55.123, 55.133, 55.134, 55.136,
and 55.137;
(6) Chapter 56, except Subchapters F and G;
(7) Chapter 60;
(8) Chapter 62;
(9) Section 64.002, Section 64.053, and Subchapters E,
and F, Chapter 64;
(10) Sections 65.001, 65.002, 65.003, and 65.004, this
subchapter, and Subchapter E of this chapter; and
(11) Chapter 66.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.