SRC-TBR S.B. 564 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 564 77R4647 MTB-FBy: Armbrister Business & Commerce 2/26/2001 As Filed DIGEST AND PURPOSE Currently, the Texas Universal Service Fund (TUSF) provides assistance to local telephone companies providing service in high-cost and rural areas of the state. TUSF is funded by a statewide uniform charge paid by telecommunications providers, but pay phone providers do not bill their customers on a regular monthly basis and absorb the costs associated with the TUSF assessment. As proposed, S.B. 564 exempts pay phone providers from the TUSF assessment. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 56B, Utilities Code, by adding Section 56.0205, as follows: Sec. 56.0205. DEFINITION. Provides that in this subchapter, "telecommunications provider" does not include a provider of customer-owned pay telephone service. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2001.