By: Sibley S.B. No. 1659
Line and page numbers may not match official copy.
Bill not drafted by TLC or Senate E&E.
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
1-1 AN ACT
1-2 relating to the format of telecommunications utility billing
1-3 statements.
1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-5 SECTION 1. Section 55.012, Utilities Code, is amended to
1-6 read as follows:
1-7 Sec. 55.012. Telecommunications Billing. (a) The
1-8 proliferation of charges for separate services, products,
1-9 surcharges, fees, and taxes on a bill for telecommunications
1-10 products or services has increased the complexity of those bills to
1-11 such an extent that in some cases the bills have become difficult
1-12 for customers to understand.
1-13 (b) A bill from a local exchange company for
1-14 telecommunications products or services should be [simplified into
1-15 general categories to the extent that simplification is] consistent
1-16 with providing customers sufficient information about the charges
1-17 included in the bill to understand the basis and source of the
1-18 charges.
1-19 (c) To the extent permitted by law, a monthly bill from a
1-20 local exchange company for local exchange telephone service shall
1-21 clearly identify all charges including [include an aggregate charge
1-22 for each of the following categories:]
1-23 [(1)] basic local service charges, [and] fees, [which
2-1 includes] carrier's charges, [for basic local telecommunications
2-2 service and related fees,] assessments, [and] surcharges,[;]
2-3 [(2)] optional services,[;] and
2-4 [(3)] taxes[,] [which includes any taxes applicable to
2-5 the charges described by Subdivisions (1) and (2)].
2-6 (d) Local exchange carriers shall file a copy of their bill
2-7 annually with the commission for compliance review with this
2-8 section.
2-9 (e) The commission shall have all necessary authority to
2-10 enforce this section.
2-11 SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
2-12 a vote of two-thirds of all members elected to each house, as
2-13 provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
2-14 Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
2-15 Act takes effect September 1, 2001.