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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to a study on the feasibility of creating a program to |
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provide discounts on Internet access to individuals who are |
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eligible for lifeline telephone services. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. STUDY OF INTERNET ACCESS DISCOUNTS. The Public |
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Utility Commission of Texas shall conduct a study to determine the |
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feasibility of creating a program to provide discounts on Internet |
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access to individuals who are eligible for lifeline telephone |
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services. |
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SECTION 2. SCOPE OF STUDY. The study must examine at least: |
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(1) the anticipated benefits of such a program; |
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(2) the amount of funding needed to implement the |
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program and potential sources for that funding; |
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(3) the optimal rates or discounts to be offered under |
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the program; |
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(4) ways to implement the program; and |
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(5) legislation to create the program. |
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SECTION 3. REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS. (a) The Public |
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Utility Commission of Texas shall issue a written report to the |
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governor, the lieutenant governor, and the speaker of the house of |
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representatives that includes the commission's evaluation of the |
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potential program and any recommendations of the commission |
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regarding legislation that may allow individuals who are eligible |
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for lifeline telephone services to have better or easier access to |
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the Internet. |
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(b) The report must be issued not later than November 30, |
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2014. |
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SECTION 4. EXPIRATION. This Act expires December 1, 2014. |
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SECTION 5. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act takes effect September |
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1, 2013. |