BILL ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 1799

By: Bohac

State Affairs

Committee Report (Substituted)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Many Texans have struggled with high electric costs under plans that may not be ideal for their own situations. A solution to this problem is to provide quality information to consumers. 

C.S.H.B. 1799 requires retail electric providers to include on each residential customer's bill a statement directing the consumer to the Power to Choose website of the Public Utility Commission of Texas, where the consumer can find information regarding residential electric service options.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 1799 amends the Utilities Code to require a retail electric provider to include on each residential customer's bill, in at least 12-point type on the front of the first page, a statement that reads: "For more information about residential electric service please visit www.powertochoose.com."  The bill provides that its provisions expire September 1, 2011.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2009.

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL AND SUBSTITUTE

C.S.H.B. 1799 limits the statement requirement to a residential customer's bill, rather than a customer's bill as in the original, and revises the wording of the statement accordingly, compared to the original.  The substitute reduces the required minimum size from 14-point type, as in the original, to 12-point type. The substitute differs from the original by adding a provision giving the legislation an expiration date of September 1, 2011.