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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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Relating to notice and assistance provided to residential electric |
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customers before electric service is disconnected. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Chapter 39.101, Utilities Code, is amended by |
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adding subsection (i) and (j) to read as follows: |
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(i) Transmission and distribution utilities and retail |
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electric providers, aggregators, and any other entity that provides |
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retail electric service must report to the Public Utility |
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Commission no less than monthly: |
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(1) the amount of customers by zip code who have been |
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disconnected. |
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(2) the amount of customer by zip code who have been |
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offered assistance as described in Utilities Code 39.101(j). |
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(j) A retail electric provider, power generation company, |
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aggregator, or other entity that provides retail electric service |
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may not disconnect service to a residential customer until they |
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have: |
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(1) offered assistance from federal weatherization |
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programs, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), |
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other federal rebates, and any state customer assistance programs |
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that might apply to the affected customer. |
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(2) offered the customer an energy assessment to |
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determine opportunities for permanent energy reductions and |
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opportunities to participate in demand response programs for |
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payment, including programs established in Utilities Code |
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39.905(f). |
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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, 2023. |