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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to bill payment assistance for certain utility bills after |
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a disaster. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter Z, Chapter 39, Utilities Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 39.9031 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 39.9031. DISASTER BILL PAYMENT ASSISTANCE. (a) The |
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commission by rule shall direct municipally owned utilities, |
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electric cooperatives, and retail electric providers in the ERCOT |
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power region to waive any bill increases for retail electric |
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customers who receive an unusually high bill for services provided |
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during a state of disaster or emergency declared by the president of |
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the United States or a state of disaster declared by the governor |
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under Chapter 418, Government Code; |
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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, 2021. |