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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the authority of the Health and Human Services |
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Commission and the Public Utility Commission of Texas to identify |
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customers who may be eligible for bill payment assistance programs. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 32, Utilities Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 32.005 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 32.005. INCOME ASSISTANCE PROGRAM INFORMATION. (a) |
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The Health and Human Services Commission may regularly provide to |
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the commission a list of persons in this state who: |
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(1) receive medical assistance under the medical |
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assistance program established under Chapter 32, Human Resources |
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Code; or |
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(2) receive benefits under the supplemental nutrition |
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assistance program established under Chapter 33, Human Resources |
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Code. |
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(b) The commission may use the list to assist a municipally |
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owned utility, electric cooperative, electric utility, or retail |
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electric provider in providing bill payment assistance to customers |
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who receive assistance or benefits described by Subsection (a). |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2017. |