By: Herrero H.B. No. 4414
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to bill payment assistance for certain utility bills after
a disaster.
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. DISASTER BILL PAYMENT ASSISTANCE. (a) The
commission by rule shall direct municipally owned utilities,
electric cooperatives, and retail electric providers in the ERCOT
power region to waive any bill increases for retail electric
customers who receive an unusually high bill for services provided
during a state of disaster or emergency declared by the president of
the United States or a state of disaster declared by the governor
under Chapter 418, Government Code;
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, 2021.