SRC-JRN S.B. 1135 75(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 1135
By: Wentworth
State Affairs
3-24-97
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, no state law exists relating to refunding certain charges made
by certain utilities.  This bill authorizes the refunding of certain
charges made by certain utilities. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 1135 authorizes the refunding of certain charges made by
certain utilities. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

Rulemaking authority is granted to the Public Utility Commission of Texas
in SECTION 1 (Article 1446c-0, V.T.C.S.) of this bill. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Article 1446c-0, V.T.C.S., by adding Section 1.408, as
follows: 

Sec. 1.408.  REFUNDS FOR OVER-BILLING.  Requires the Public Utility
Commission of Texas by rule to require a public utility that charges a
customer more than the lawful rate for the service being purchased by the
customer to refund the overcharged amount by an adjustment made for the
entire period of the overcharges. 

SECTION 2. Emergency clause.
  Effective date: upon passage.