BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 2616

By: Harless

State Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

For more than a decade, incumbent local exchange carriers have had to file certain customer contracts for voice and data services with the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC).  These customer-specific contracts require PUC approval, but in practice, the acceptance of the filed contracts serves as approval. A recent Sunset Advisory Commission report recommended that customer-specific contracts no longer be filed as a matter of routine, noting the competitive nature of these services, as well as the fact that the PUC has received few, if any, recent complaints or inquiries about either of these services.

H.B. 2616 repeals certain provisions of the Utilities Code, eliminating the requirement for PUC approval of customer specific contracts and makes conforming changes.

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

H.B. 2616 repeals Utilities Code provisions relating to the requirement for Public Utility Commission of Texas approval of a customer-specific communications contract to provide the following services: central office based PBX-type services for a system of 200 stations or more; billing and collection services; high-speed private line services of 1.544 megabits or greater; or customized services. The bill makes conforming changes.

H.B. 2616 repeals Sections 52.057 and 53.065(b), Utilities Code.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2011.