HBA-CCH H.B. 732 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 732 By: Jones, Jesse Business & Industry 2/19/2001 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Some advertisements for television satellite services, cable services, and wireless telephone services contain very small print at the bottom of the page regarding the consumer's financial obligations. This can make it difficult for individuals to read, especially senior citizens. House Bill 732 prohibits a person from displaying or publishing information regarding the price for these services unless the price information is made conspicuous. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. ANALYSIS House Bill 732 amends the Business & Commerce Code relating to a person who sells or provides a satellite or cable television service or wireless telephone service to another person in this state. H.B. 732 prohibits a person from displaying or publishing information regarding the price for the service within a written advertisement unless the price information is printed in at least 11-point type that is boldfaced, capitalized, underlined, or made conspicuous some other way. A person who violates this provision is liable to the state for a civil penalty not to exceed $1,000 for each violation. The attorney general or prosecuting attorney in the county in which the violation occurred is authorized to bring suit to recover a civil penalty. The bill also authorizes the attorney general to bring an action in the name of the state to restrain or enjoin a person from violating this provision. EFFECTIVE DATE September 1, 2001.