Bill: SB 1976, 85(R) - 2017
Committee
Senate Business & Commerce
Companion Bill
HB 3379
Vote Recommendation
| Vote Recommendation |
Economic Freedom |
Property Rights |
Personal Responsibility |
Limited Government |
Individual Liberty |
| Neutral |
Neutral |
Neutral |
Neutral |
Neutral |
Neutral |
Author(s)
John Whitmire
Bill Caption
Relating to benefit programs provided by retail electric providers and certified telecommunications utilities for low-income customers.
Fiscal Notes
From the LBB: No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
Bill Analysis
This bill would require Health and Human Services to, at the request of the Public Utility Commission of Texas, assist in developing a method for identifying low income customers to retail electric providers and telecommunications utilities so that they can offer customer service, discounts, bill payment assistance, or other forms of assistance. The bill does not require the companies to offer any customer services or any service for which the provider is not reimbursed. PUC would be prohibited from requesting assistance from HHSC unless they receive a request from one or more providers for a list of low income customers, and each provider that submits a request agrees to reimburse the commission for the cost of developing the list.
Vote Recommendation Notes
Because this bill would not impose any mandate on local and private businesses, we remain neutral.
