Texas 2023 - 88th Regular

Texas Senate Bill SB2399 Compare Versions

Version 1 (Old)

Version 2 (New)

Old	New	Differences
1	1	S.B. No. 2399
2	2
3	3
4	4	AN ACT
5	5	relating to the authority of the Public Utility Commission of Texas
6	6	to regulate Voice over Internet Protocol services.
7	7	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
8	8	SECTION 1. Section 52.002(d), Utilities Code, is amended to
9	9	read as follows:
10	10	(d) Notwithstanding any other law, a department, agency, or
11	11	political subdivision of this state may not by rule, order, or other
12	12	means directly or indirectly regulate rates charged for, service or
13	13	contract terms for, conditions for, or requirements for entry into
14	14	the market for Voice over Internet Protocol services or other
15	15	Internet Protocol enabled services. This subsection does not:
16	16	(1) affect requirements pertaining to use of a
17	17	right-of-way or payment of right-of-way fees applicable to Voice
18	18	over Internet Protocol services under Chapter 283, Local Government
19	19	Code;
20	20	(2) affect any person's obligation to provide video or
21	21	cable service, as defined under applicable state or federal law,
22	22	the applicability of Chapter 66, or a requirement to make a payment
23	23	under Chapter 66;
24	24	(3) require or prohibit assessment of enhanced 9-1-1,
25	25	relay access service, or universal service fund fees on Voice over
26	26	Internet Protocol service;
27	27	(4) affect any entity's obligations under Sections 251
28	28	and 252, Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. Sections 251 and
29	29	252), or a right granted to an entity by those sections;
30	30	(5) affect any applicable wholesale tariff;
31	31	(6) grant, modify, or affect the authority of the
32	32	commission to implement, carry out, or enforce the rights or
33	33	obligations provided by Sections 251 and 252, Communications Act of
34	34	1934 (47 U.S.C. Sections 251 and 252), or of an applicable wholesale
35	35	tariff through arbitration proceedings or other available
36	36	mechanisms and procedures;
37	37	(7) require or prohibit payment of switched network
38	38	access rates or other intercarrier compensation rates, as
39	39	applicable;
40	40	(8) limit any commission authority over the subjects
41	41	listed in Subdivisions (1)-(7) or grant the commission any
42	42	authority over those subjects; [or]
43	43	(9) affect the assessment, administration,
44	44	collection, or enforcement of any tax or fee over which the
45	45	comptroller has authority; or
46	46	(10) limit any commission authority over the grant of
47	47	any certificate to a Voice over Internet Protocol provider under
48	48	Subchapter C or D, Chapter 54.
49	49	SECTION 2. Section 54.154(a), Utilities Code, is amended to
50	50	read as follows:
51	51	(a) The commission may grant a certificate to encourage an
52	52	innovative, competitive, and entrepreneurial business to provide
53	53	telecommunications or Voice over Internet Protocol services.
54	54	SECTION 3. Section 54.155, Utilities Code, is amended by
55	55	adding Subsection (c) to read as follows:
56	56	(c) A certificate granted under this section to a Voice over
57	57	Internet Protocol provider may not be construed to expand the
58	58	authority or jurisdiction of the commission over Voice over
59	59	Internet Protocol service.
60	60	SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.
61	61	______________________________ ______________________________
62	62	President of the Senate Speaker of the House
63	63	I hereby certify that S.B. No. 2399 passed the Senate on
64	64	April 20, 2023, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.
65	65	______________________________
66	66	Secretary of the Senate
67	67	I hereby certify that S.B. No. 2399 passed the House on
68	68	May 19, 2023, by the following vote: Yeas 131, Nays 12,
69	69	two present not voting.
70	70	______________________________
71	71	Chief Clerk of the House
72	72	Approved:
73	73	______________________________
74	74	Date
75	75	______________________________
76	76	Governor