By Naishtat H.B. No. 2910
76R7497 JJT-D
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
1-1 AN ACT
1-2 relating to contracts for special features of the
1-3 telecommunications relay access service.
1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-5 SECTION 1. Subchapter D, Chapter 56, Utilities Code, is
1-6 amended by adding Section 56.1085 to read as follows:
1-7 Sec. 56.1085. SPECIAL FEATURES FOR RELAY ACCESS SERVICE.
1-8 (a) The commission may contract for a special feature for the
1-9 state's telecommunications relay access service if the commission
1-10 determines:
1-11 (1) the feature will benefit the communication of
1-12 persons with an impairment of hearing or speech;
1-13 (2) installation of the feature will be of benefit to
1-14 the state; and
1-15 (3) the feature will make the relay access service
1-16 available to a greater number of users.
1-17 (b) If the carrier selected to provide the
1-18 telecommunications relay access service under Section 56.108 is
1-19 unable to provide the special feature at the best value to the
1-20 state, the commission may make a written award of a contract for a
1-21 carrier to provide the special feature to the telecommunications
1-22 carrier whose proposal is most advantageous to the state,
1-23 considering:
1-24 (1) the factors provided by Section 56.108(b); and
2-1 (2) the past performance, demonstrated capability, and
2-2 experience of the carrier.
2-3 (c) The commission shall consider each proposal in a manner
2-4 that does not disclose the contents of the proposal to a
2-5 telecommunications carrier making a competing proposal.
2-6 (d) The commission's evaluation of a telecommunications
2-7 carrier's proposal shall include the considerations provided by
2-8 Section 5.108(d).
2-9 SECTION 2. Section 56.109(a), Utilities Code, is amended to
2-10 read as follows:
2-11 (a) The telecommunications carrier selected to provide the
2-12 telecommunications relay access service under Section 56.108 or the
2-13 carrier selected to provide a special feature for [that provides]
2-14 the telecommunications relay access service under Section 56.1085
2-15 shall be compensated at rates and on terms provided by the
2-16 carrier's contract with the commission.
2-17 SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 1999.
2-18 SECTION 4. The importance of this legislation and the
2-19 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
2-20 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
2-21 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
2-22 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.