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.