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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the eligibility process for customer service benefits. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 17.007, Utilities Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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ELIGIBILITY PROCESS FOR CUSTOMER SERVICE DISCOUNTS BENEFITS. |
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[The commission by rule shall provide for an integrated eligibility
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process for customer service discounts, including discounts under
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Sections
39.903
and
55.015
.] The Texas Department of Health and |
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Human Services, on request of the commission, shall assist in |
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developing an automatic process to provide for identification of |
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low-income customers to retail electric providers and certified |
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telecommunications utilities to enable those providers to offer |
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customer service, discounts, bill payment assistance, or other |
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methods of assistance. The commissioner and the Texas Department |
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of Health and Human Services shall continue the memorandum of |
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understanding in effect on January 1, 2017 that establishes the |
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respective duties of the commission and the department in relation |
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to the automatic process, and may amend the memorandum of |
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understanding as necessary to achieve the goals of this section. |
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a) The commission may not require a retail electric provider |
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or certified telecommunications utility to offer customer service |
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discounts, bill payment assistance, or other benefits for which the |
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provider is not reimbursed. |
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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. |