HBA-SEP S.B. 1659 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisS.B. 1659
By: Sibley
State Affairs
5/10/2001
Engrossed



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Currently, the Public Utility Regulatory Act (PURA) sets forth specific
requirements for the format of telecommunications utility bills.  Senate
Bill 1659 grants local exchange companies flexibility as to where and how
charges appear on a customer's bill and requires a local exchange company
to file a copy of certain portions of their bill every year with the Public
Utility Commission of Texas for compliance review. 

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

Senate Bill 1659 amends the Utilities Code to grant local exchange
companies flexibility regarding where and how charges appear on a
customer's bill.  The bill requires local exchange carriers to annually
file a copy of that portion of their bill that has not been previously
approved by the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC) for compliance
review.  The PUC has all necessary authority to enforce billing clarity
compliance.    

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act
takes effect September 1, 2001.