By: Zaffirini S.B. No. 1497
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the registration and regulation of brokers by the
Public Utility Commission of Texas.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter H, Chapter 39, Utilities Code, is
amended by adding Section 39.3555 to read as follows:
Sec. 39.3555. REGISTRATION OF BROKERS. (a) In this
section, "brokerage services" means:
(1) providing advice or procurement services to, or
acting on behalf of, a retail electric customer regarding the
selection of a retail electric provider, or a product or service
offered by a retail electric provider; or
(2) selling or attempting to sell a product or service
offered by a retail electric provider to a retail electric
customer.
(b) A person may not provide brokerage services, including
brokerage services offered online, in this state for compensation
or other consideration unless the person is registered with the
commission as a broker.
(c) A retail electric provider may not register as a broker.
A broker may not sell or take title to electric energy.
(d) A retail electric provider may not knowingly provide
bids or offers to a person who:
(1) provides brokerage services in this state for
compensation or other consideration; and
(2) has not registered as a broker with the
commission.
(e) A person who registers under this section shall comply
with customer protection provisions, disclosure requirements, and
marketing guidelines established by the commission and by this
title.
(f) The commission shall adopt rules as necessary to
implement this section.
(g) The commission shall process a person's application for
registration as a broker not later than the 60th day after the date
the person files the application.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.