By: Paddie H.B. No. 3379
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the eligibility process for customer service benefits.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 17.007, Utilities Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         ELIGIBILITY PROCESS FOR CUSTOMER SERVICE DISCOUNTS BENEFITS.  
  [The commission by rule shall provide for an integrated eligibility
  process for customer service discounts, including discounts under
  Sections 39.903 and 55.015 .]  The Texas Department of Health and
  Human Services, on request of the commission, shall assist in
  developing an automatic process to provide for identification of
  low-income customers to retail electric providers and certified
  telecommunications utilities to enable those providers to offer
  customer service, discounts, bill payment assistance, or other
  methods of assistance.  The commissioner and the Texas Department
  of Health and Human Services shall continue the memorandum of
  understanding in effect on January 1, 2017 that establishes the
  respective duties of the commission and the department in relation
  to the automatic process, and may amend the memorandum of
  understanding as necessary to achieve the goals of this section.
         a)  The commission may not require a retail electric provider
  or certified telecommunications utility to offer customer service
  discounts, bill payment assistance, or other benefits for which the
  provider is not reimbursed.
 
         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, 2017.