| TO: | Honorable Burt R. Solomons, Chair, House Committee on State Affairs |
| FROM: | John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board |
| IN RE: | HB1904 by Turner, Sylvester (Relating to benefits and protections for certain residential electric customers.), As Introduced |
The bill would require electric utilities to waive deposit requirements for residential customers who are at least 65 years of age and are not currently delinquent on any electric service accounts. The bill would prohibit electric service providers from disconnecting service to a residential customer who requests and complies with the terms of a deferred payment plan, and who is a low income customer or a residential customer for whom an interruption or suspension of service would create a dangerous or life-threatening condition. The bill would establish the terms of the deferred payment plans for specific customers.
The bill would require the Public Utility Commission (PUC) to adopt rules as soon as practicable in order to offer the protections of the bill to low-income, elderly, or vulnerable electric customers before September 30, 2009. The PUC indicates the duties and responsibilities associated with implementing the provisions of the bill could be accomplished by utilizing existing resources.
| Source Agencies: | 473 Public Utility Commission of Texas
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| LBB Staff: | JOB, KJG, ES
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