By: Murr H.B. No. 3643
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to billing for telephone service during service
interruptions.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. 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 2. 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, 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 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.