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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the use of and disbursements from the universal service |
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fund. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 56.026, Utilities Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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Sec. 56.026. UNIVERSAL SERVICE FUND DISBURSEMENTS. (a) |
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The commission shall adopt criteria for determining appropriate |
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amounts for universal service fund disbursements to be made under |
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the plans described by Sections 56.021(1)(A) and (B). [A revenue
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requirement showing is not required for a disbursement from the
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universal service fund under this subchapter.] |
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(b) The commission shall make each disbursement from the |
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universal service fund promptly and efficiently so that a |
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telecommunications provider does not experience an unnecessary |
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cash-flow change [as a result of a change in governmental policy]. |
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SECTION 2. Subchapter B, Chapter 56, Utilities Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 56.027 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 56.027. INTERNET AND BROADBAND SERVICES TASK FORCE AND |
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STUDY. (a) The commission shall investigate the feasibility and |
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advisability of including Internet, high-speed Internet, or |
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broadband services under the plans described by Sections |
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56.021(1)(A) and (B) or similar plans. |
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(b) To assist the commission in conducting the |
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investigation under Subsection (a), the commission shall establish |
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a task force to develop, deliberate, and make proposals for |
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consideration by the commission regarding the need for, and means |
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to support through the universal service fund, Internet services |
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for low-income customers. The task force must include |
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representatives of low-income customers, rural areas, urban areas, |
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public libraries, schools, and nonprofit organizations. |
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(c) Not later than December 31, 2014, the commission shall |
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report to the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the |
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house of representatives the results of the commission's |
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investigation conducted under Subsection (a). The report must |
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include the proposals of the task force and the commission's |
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evaluation of the merit of the proposals. |
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(d) This section expires September 1, 2015. |
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SECTION 3. Section 56.025, Utilities Code, is repealed. |
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SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2013. |