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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the regulation of certain telecommunications services |
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markets and rates. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Sections 58.021(b) and (d), Utilities Code, are |
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amended to read as follows: |
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(b) The notice must include a statement that the company |
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agrees to: |
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(1) limit [until September 1, 2005,] any increase in a |
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rate the company charges for basic network services as prescribed |
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by Subchapter C; and |
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(2) fulfill the infrastructure commitment prescribed |
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by Subchapters F and G. |
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(d) The commission shall [may] allow an electing company |
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serving fewer than 500,000 [five million] access lines to withdraw |
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the company's election under this chapter for a good cause shown[:
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[(1)] on application by the company. In addition, an |
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electing company serving fewer than 500,000 access lines is |
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entitled to withdraw the company's election under this chapter if |
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the company receives reduced support under a plan described by |
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Section 56.021(1) for a reason other than line loss [, and
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[(2) only for good cause]. |
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SECTION 2. Section 58.054(c), Utilities Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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(c) Notwithstanding Subsections (a) and (b), the cap on the |
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rates for basic network services for a company electing under this |
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chapter does not apply to an incumbent local exchange company that |
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has been subject to regulation under Chapter 59 for the four-year |
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period preceding the date of that company's election to be |
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regulated under this chapter. For an incumbent local exchange |
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company that has been subject to regulation under Chapter 59 for the |
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four-year period preceding the date of that company's election to |
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be regulated under this chapter, Section 58.060 governs the |
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adjustment of rates for basic network services [may not expire
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before September 1, 2005]. |
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SECTION 3. Section 58.054(c), Utilities Code, as amended by |
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this Act, applies only to an incumbent local exchange company that |
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elects to be regulated under Chapter 58, Utilities Code, on or after |
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September 1, 2013. |
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SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2013. |