SRC-EPT, CTC, TBR S.B. 1659 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterS.B. 1659
By: Sibley
Business & Commerce
6/5/2001
Enrolled


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

The Public Utility Regulatory Act (PURA) sets out specific requirements for
the format of telecommunications utility bills.  S.B. 1659 amends PURA to
allow companies flexibility as to where and how charges appear on a
customer's bill and requires a local exchange carrier to file a copy of
certain portions of the carrier's bill every year with the Public Utility
Commission for compliance review. 

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 Section 55.012, Utilities Code, as follows:

(b)  Deletes language requiring a bill from a local exchange company for
telecommunications products or services to be simplified into general
categories to the extent that simplification is consistent with the
purposes of this section. 

(c)  Requires, to the extent permitted by law, a monthly bill from a local
exchange company for local exchange telephone service to clearly identify
all charges.  Deletes language regarding general categories, aggregate
charge, and basic local telecommunication service. 

(d)  Requires local exchange carriers to annually file a copy of that
portion of their bill that has not been previously approved by the Public
Utility Commission (commission) for compliance review with this section. 

 (e)  Requires the commission to have all necessary authority to enforce
this section. 

SECTION 2.  Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2001.