84R7367 JXC-F
 
  By: King of Hemphill H.B. No. 1618
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the period of eligibility for support from the
  universal service plan for certain providers.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 56.023(p), Utilities Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         (p)  If an incumbent local exchange company or cooperative is
  ineligible for support under a plan established under Section
  56.021(1) for services in an exchange, a plan established under
  Section 56.021(1) may not provide support to any other
  telecommunications providers for services in that exchange, except
  that an eligible telecommunications provider that is receiving
  support under Section 56.021(1)(A) in that exchange shall continue
  to receive such support until the later of December 31, 2017, or the
  second anniversary of [for a 24-month period following] the date
  the incumbent local exchange provider or cooperative ceases
  receiving support in that exchange. The support received by the
  eligible telecommunications provider during that [the 24-month]
  period shall be at the same monthly per line support level in effect
  for that exchange as of the date the incumbent local exchange
  provider or cooperative ceases receiving funding in that exchange.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
  a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
  provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
  Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
  Act takes effect September 1, 2015.