SRC-DPW S.B. 437 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 437
76R4745 DWS-DBy: Nixon
Technology & Business Growth
2/17/1999
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, telemarketing is a growing industry.  Texans have complained of
harassment by some telemarketing companies.  This bill would allow
consumers to block calls from telephone solicitors. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 437 authorizes the Public Utility Commission of Texas to
establish procedures and standards that would allow customers to have calls
from telephone solicitors blocked. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

Rulemaking authority is granted to the Public Utility Commission of Texas
in SECTION 1 (Section 55.154(d), Utilities Code) of this bill. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 55G, Utilities Code, by adding Section 55.154, as
follow: 

Sec. 55.154. BLOCKING CALLS BY TELEPHONE SOLICITORS.  Defines "telephone
solicitor" and "consumer telephone call."  Provides that this section
applies only to telephone solicitors that the Public Utility Commission
(PUC) determines make an  average of 25 consumer telephone calls a day.
Authorizes a local exchange company to block calls from telephone
solicitors, at the request of the customer.  Requires the PUC to establish
standards and procedures that may identify and block calls from telephone
solicitors, and provide notice to consumers of their right to have calls
blocked.  Provides that a telephone solicitor to whom this section applies
is subject to administrative penalty under Section 15.023. 

SECTION 2. Requires the PUC to establish procedures required by Section
55.154, Utilities Code, as added by this Act, before January 1, 2000.
Makes application of this Act prospective to January 1, 2000. 

SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 1999.

SECTION 4. Emergency clause.