BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 1003

By: Hancock

State Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties contend that because many Texans today have significant choices in wireless and wireline telephone service providers offering lifeline services, which reduce the cost of basic telephone service for certain low income customers, deregulated incumbent local exchange companies should no longer be mandated to participate in the Texas lifeline program.
S.B. 1003 seeks to remove the mandate that such companies offer lifeline services.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

S.B. 1003 amends the Utilities Code to remove statutory provisions relating to lifeline service provided to qualifying low income consumers from the provisions that apply to a deregulated incumbent local exchange company and may be enforced by the Public Utility Commission of Texas using specified remedies.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2017.