Bill Caption

Relating to the suspension, termination, and reinstatement of certain services provided to military service members who are serving on active duty.

Fiscal Notes

From the Legislative Budget Board: no significant fiscal implication to the state is anticipated.

Bill Analysis

SB 1739 would amend the Business & Commerce Code to add that a military service member who receives a cable service, health spa services, internet services, telecommunications services, or video service from a provider and who is called to active duty service may suspend or terminate the services by providing a written notice. The military member would not be liable for the payment of any service suspended or terminated and the provider may not charge a penalty, fee, or any other additional cost. 

Vote Recommendation Notes

Though well intended, this bill violates our free market and limited government principles by micromanaging the terms of service in private contracts between members of the military and various service providers. We note that at least one affected service provider appears to support this legislation, however that does not negate our opposition.

Service providers may establish these provisions on their own without needing the state to issue a legislative mandate. Furthermore, any service providers refusing to offer contract stipulations allowing deployed service members to cancel or suspend their contract without a fee will have an economic incentive to revise their position if people boycott over their treatment of members of the military.

To put it simply; this is an issue of private contracts in which the government does not belong, no matter how noble the intentions. We oppose SB 1739