Amend HB 1600 (house committee report) by adding the following appropriately numbered SECTION to ARTICLE 1 of the bill and renumbering subsequent SECTIONS of the article appropriately:
SECTION 1.____. Subchapter B, Chapter 56, Utilities Code, is amended by adding Section 56.0225 to read as follows:
Sec. 56.0225. INCREASED CHARGES PROHIBITED. (a) The commission may not increase or authorize an increase in a fee or other charge that is:
(1) associated with the universal service fund; and
(2) reflected on a customer's monthly bill.
(b) If the commission determines that the amount of money in the universal service fund is insufficient to pay the costs of a program that receives money from the universal service fund, the commission shall reduce the service provided under the program accordingly.