HBA-EDN H.B. 2156 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2156
By: Danburg
State Affairs
3/14/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Under current law, automatic enrollment databases are required for
telecommunications discounts and for electric discounts to low-income
customers.  Merging these databases would make the administration of both
programs more efficient.  House Bill 2156 provides for an integrated
eligibility process for telecommunications and electric discounts for
low-income customers.  

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that rulemaking
authority is expressly delegated to the Public Utility Commission in
SECTION 1 (Section 17.007, Utilities Code) of this bill. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 2156 amends the Utilities Code to require the Public Utility
Commission, by rule, to provide for an integrated eligibility process for
customer service discounts, including discounts for customers under the
system benefit fund, lifeline service, or the tel-assistance service
program.   

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.