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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to telecommunications and the universal service fund. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter B, chapter 56, Utilities Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 56.033 to read as follows: |
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Section 56.033. UNIVERSAL SERVICE FUND STUDY. (a) The |
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commission shall conduct a review and evaluation of whether the |
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universal service fund accomplishes the fund's purpose as |
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prescribed in 56.021. |
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(b) Not later than January 8, 2013, the commission shall |
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deliver to the legislature a report for the legislature's revision |
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and approval on the results of the review and evaluation. The |
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report must include recommendations that are consistent with the |
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policies provided by this title. |
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SECTION 2. Section 56.022, Utilities Code, is amended by |
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adding Subsection (d) to read as follows: |
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(d) Notwithstanding any other law, effective January 1, |
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2012, the uniform charge established by the commission shall not |
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exceed 4.4% without the approval of the legislature. Nothing in |
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this section shall be interpreted to require a reduction in |
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universal service assistance for programs established pursuant to |
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Sections 56.021(2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), (8), and (9). |
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SECTION 3. This Act does not supersede or change the terms |
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of any universal service fund settlement agreement in effect as of |
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September 1, 2011. |
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Section 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2011. |