BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center

H.B. 2558

84R25238 DDT-D

By: Isaac (Campbell)

 

Natural Resources & Economic Development

 

5/20/2015

 

Engrossed

 

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

H.B. 2558 amends current law relating to the length of a billing month for a propane gas customer.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

 

SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 141, Utilities Code, by adding Section 141.0031, as follows:

 

Sec. 141.0031.  DAYS IN BILLING MONTH.  (a) Provides that a customer's bill may not include charges for a period of more than:

 

(1)  32 days for a billing month in which the majority of days in the billing month occur in December, January, or February; or

 

(2)  31 days for a billing month in which the majority of days in the billing month occur in any other month.

 

(b) Provides that the billing month, if an extreme condition occurs or continues on or after the 29th day of a billing month described by Subsection (a)(1), may be extended by the number of days the extreme condition occurs. Provides that extreme conditions include:

 

(1) iced, flooded, closed, or otherwise impassable roads in the county in which the customer resides;

 

(2) a natural disaster, including an earthquake, a hurricane, a tornado, or winds of more than 60 miles per hour; and

 

(3) civil disruption, including war, riot, or labor disruption or stoppage.

 

SECTION 2. Provides that the change in law made by this Act applies only to a billing month that begins on or after the effective date of this Act. Makes application of this Act prospective.

 

SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2015.