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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to employment and other assistance for certain unemployed |
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individuals owing payment to certain utilities. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 302, Labor Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 302.00351 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 302.00351. EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR CERTAIN |
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UNEMPLOYED INDIVIDUALS OWING PAYMENT FOR UTILITY SERVICES. (a) |
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The commission shall establish and administer a program under which |
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the commission provides employment assistance services, including |
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skills training, job placement, and employment-related services, |
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to an unemployed individual who: |
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(1) is receiving unemployment benefits under Subtitle |
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A; and |
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(2) has accrued unpaid bills for electric, gas, or |
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water utility services. |
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(b) An unemployed individual enrolled in the program is |
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entitled to receive service under Section 39.101(i), 104.258(d), or |
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141.004(c), Utilities Code, or Section 13.152, Water Code. |
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(c) The commission, in consultation with the Public Utility |
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Commission of Texas, the Railroad Commission of Texas, and |
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providers of services to which Sections 39.101(i), 104.258(d), and |
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141.004(c), Utilities Code, and Section 13.152, Water Code, apply |
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shall adopt rules for the implementation and administration of this |
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section. |
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SECTION 2. Section 39.101, Utilities Code, is amended by |
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adding Subsection (i) to read as follows: |
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(i) A retail electric provider, power generation company, |
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aggregator, or other entity that provides retail electric service: |
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(1) shall provide each residential customer with |
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information about the employment assistance program described by |
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Section 302.00351, Labor Code, and, on request by the customer, a |
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grace period of at least 14 days to allow the customer to enroll in |
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the program, before disconnecting the customer's service for |
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nonpayment; and |
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(2) for a period of 90 days, for a residential customer |
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enrolled in the program described by Section 302.00351, Labor Code: |
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(A) may not disconnect service or impose late |
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fees; and |
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(B) shall defer collection of the full payment of |
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bills that are due during that period. |
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SECTION 3. Section 104.258, Utilities Code, is amended by |
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adding Subsection (d) to read as follows: |
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(d) A provider: |
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(1) shall provide each residential customer with |
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information about the employment assistance program described by |
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Section 302.00351, Labor Code, and, on request by the customer, a |
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grace period of at least 14 days to allow the customer to enroll in |
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the program, before disconnecting the customer's natural gas |
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service for nonpayment; and |
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(2) for a period of 90 days, for a residential customer |
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enrolled in the program described by Section 302.00351, Labor Code: |
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(A) may not disconnect natural gas service or |
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impose late fees; and |
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(B) shall defer collection of the full payment of |
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bills that are due during that period. |
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SECTION 4. Section 141.004, Utilities Code, is amended by |
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adding Subsection (c) to read as follows: |
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(c) A distribution system retailer: |
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(1) shall provide each residential customer with |
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information about the employment assistance program described by |
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Section 302.00351, Labor Code, and, on request by the customer, a |
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grace period of at least 14 days to allow the customer to enroll in |
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the program, before disconnecting the customer's propane gas |
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service for nonpayment; and |
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(2) for a period of 90 days, for a residential customer |
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enrolled in the program described by Section 302.00351, Labor Code: |
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(A) may not disconnect propane gas service or |
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impose late fees; and |
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(B) shall defer collection of the full payment of |
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bills that are due during that period. |
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SECTION 5. Subchapter E, Chapter 13, Water Code, is amended |
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by adding Section 13.152 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 13.152. SERVICES PROVIDED TO CUSTOMER ENROLLED IN |
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EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. A retail public utility that is |
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required to possess a certificate of public convenience and |
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necessity or a district or affected county that furnishes retail |
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water or sewer utility service: |
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(1) shall provide each residential customer with |
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information about the employment assistance program described by |
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Section 302.00351, Labor Code, and, on request by the customer, a |
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grace period of at least 14 days to allow the customer to enroll in |
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the program, before disconnecting the customer's service for |
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nonpayment; and |
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(2) for a period of 90 days, for a residential customer |
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enrolled in the program described by Section 302.00351, Labor Code: |
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(A) may not disconnect service or impose late |
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fees; and |
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(B) shall defer collection of the full payment of |
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bills that are due during that period. |
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SECTION 6. As soon as practicable after the effective date |
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of this Act, the Texas Workforce Commission shall adopt the rules |
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required by Section 302.00351(c), Labor Code, as added by this Act. |
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SECTION 7. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023. |