| TO: | Honorable John Carona, Chair, Senate Committee on Business & Commerce |
| FROM: | Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board |
| IN RE: | SB583 by Carona (Relating to the use of and disbursements from the universal service fund.), As Introduced |
The bill would amend the Utilities Code relating to the use of and disbursements from the universal service fund. The bill would require the Public Utility Commission (PUC) to adopt criteria to determine appropriate amounts to disburse from the universal service fund for the Texas High Cost Universal Service Plan and the Small and Rural Incumbent Local Exchange Company Universal Service Plan. The bill would also require the PUC to investigate the feasibility and advisability of adding high-speed Internet or broadband services under the Texas High Cost Universal Service Plan and the Small Rural Incumbent Local Exchange Company Universal Service Plan, or similar plans, and report those findings not later than December 31, 2014.
Based on information provided by the PUC, duties and responsibilities associated with implementing the provisions of the bill could be accomplished by utilizing existing resources.
| Source Agencies: | 473 Public Utility Commission of Texas
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| LBB Staff: | UP, RB, ED
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