Enrolled Bill Summary

House Bill 2156 amends the Utilities Code to require the Public Utility Commission of Texas to provide for an integrated eligibility process for utility customer service discounts. The bill expands the uses of the universal service fund to include financing the implementation and administration of the eligibility process for such discounts relating to telecommunications services and expands the purposes of the system benefit fund to include reimbursement to the commission and the Texas Department of Human Services for implementation and administration expenses. The bill discontinues the tel-assistance service program and transfers its funds, employees, resources, and enrollees to the lifeline service program.