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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the notice provided to retail electric customers by |
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retail electric providers of contract expiration. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 39.112(b), Utilities Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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(b) A retail electric provider shall provide a residential |
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customer who has a fixed rate product with at least one written |
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notice of the date the fixed rate product will expire. The notice |
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must: |
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(1) be sent to the customer's billing address by mail |
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at least 30, but not more than 60, days preceding the date the |
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contract will expire; |
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(2) be sent to the customer's e-mail address, if |
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available to the provider and if the customer has agreed to receive |
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notices electronically, at least 30, but not more than 60, days |
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preceding the date the contract will expire; |
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(3) include on the outside of the envelope in which the |
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notice is sent, a statement that reads: "Contract Expiration |
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Notice. See Enclosed."; |
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(4) if included with a customer's bill, be printed on a |
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separate page; [and] |
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(5) include a description of any fees or charges |
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associated with the early termination of the customer's fixed rate |
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product; and |
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(6) include a statement that informs the customer |
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that, if the customer takes no action in response to the notice, the |
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provider may provide the customer: |
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(A) a different product for which the price the |
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customer is to pay is different from the current product; or |
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(B) a variable price product. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2013. |