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.