By: Menéndez S.B. No. 2511
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
Relating to notice and assistance provided to residential electric
customers before electric service is disconnected.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 39.101, Utilities Code, is amended by
adding subsection (i) and (j) to read as follows:
(i) Transmission and distribution utilities and retail
electric providers, aggregators, and any other entity that provides
retail electric service must report to the Public Utility
Commission no less than monthly:
(1) the amount of customers by zip code who have been
disconnected.
(2) the amount of customer by zip code who have been
offered assistance as described in Utilities Code 39.101(j).
(j) A retail electric provider, power generation company,
aggregator, or other entity that provides retail electric service
may not disconnect service to a residential customer until they
have:
(1) offered assistance from federal weatherization
programs, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP),
other federal rebates, and any state customer assistance programs
that might apply to the affected customer.
(2) offered the customer an energy assessment to
determine opportunities for permanent energy reductions and
opportunities to participate in demand response programs for
payment, including programs established in Utilities Code
39.905(f).
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, 2023.