By Flores H.B. No. 548 76R2735 DWS-F A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1-1 AN ACT 1-2 relating to unauthorized charges on a bill for telecommunications 1-3 services. 1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-5 SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 55, Utilities Code, is 1-6 amended by adding Section 55.012 to read as follows: 1-7 Sec. 55.012. CHARGE FOR UNAUTHORIZED GOOD OR SERVICE. (a) 1-8 A person, including a telecommunications utility, may not include 1-9 or cause to be included on a bill for telecommunications services a 1-10 charge for a good or service unless the customer receiving the bill 1-11 has authorized the receipt of the good or service and the inclusion 1-12 of the charge for the good or service on the bill. 1-13 (b) A customer receiving a bill for telecommunications 1-14 services is not liable for payment of any charge on the bill for a 1-15 good or service if: 1-16 (1) the customer did not authorize the receipt of the 1-17 good or service and the inclusion of the charge for the good or 1-18 service on the bill; or 1-19 (2) the customer did not receive the good or service. 1-20 SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 1999. 1-21 SECTION 3. The importance of this legislation and the 1-22 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an 1-23 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the 1-24 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several 2-1 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.