Bill Text: TX HB2765 | 2011-2012 | 82nd Legislature | Comm Sub

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Bill Title: Relating to the update of discounted telecommunication services provided to educational institutions, libraries, hospitals, and health centers.

Sponsorship: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 4-1)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2011-04-19 - Committee report sent to Calendars [HB2765 Detail]

Download: Texas-2011-HB2765-Comm_Sub.html

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82R19438 RWG-D
By: Gallego, Chisum, Gonzales of Hidalgo, H.B. No. 2765
Strama, Munoz, Jr.
Substitute the following for H.B. No. 2765:
By: Cook C.S.H.B. No. 2765

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the update of discounted telecommunication services
provided to educational institutions, libraries, hospitals, and
health centers.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 58.252, Utilities Code, is amended by
adding Subdivision (1-a) to read as follows:
(1-a) "Health center" means a federally qualified
health center service delivery site.
SECTION 2. Section 58.253(a), Utilities Code, is amended to
read as follows:
(a) On customer request, an electing company shall provide
private network services to:
(1) an educational institution;
(2) a library as defined in Section 57.021;
(3) a nonprofit telemedicine center;
(4) a public or not-for-profit hospital; [or]
(5) a legally constituted consortium or group of
entities listed in this subsection; or
(6) a nonprofit health center.
SECTION 3. Section 58.255(b), Utilities Code, is amended to
read as follows:
(b) An electing company shall offer private network service
contracts under this subchapter at 110 [105] percent of the long run
incremental cost of providing the private network service,
including installation.
SECTION 4. Section 58.258(a), Utilities Code, is amended to
read as follows:
(a) Notwithstanding the pricing flexibility authorized by
this subtitle, an electing company's rates for private network
services may not be increased before January 1, 2016
[2012]. However, an electing company may increase a rate in
accordance with the provisions of a customer specific contract.
SECTION 5. Section 58.259(b), Utilities Code, is amended to
read as follows:
(b) The tariff rate may not be:
(1) distance sensitive; or
(2) higher than 110 [105] percent of the service's
statewide average long run incremental cost, including
installation.
SECTION 6. Section 58.260(c), Utilities Code, is amended to
read as follows:
(c) The rate for the service may not be higher than 110 [105]
percent of the service's long run incremental cost, including
installation.
SECTION 7. Section 58.261(b), Utilities Code, is amended to
read as follows:
(b) The rate for the service may not be higher than 110 [105]
percent of the service's long run incremental cost, including
installation.
SECTION 8. Section 58.268, Utilities Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 58.268. CONTINUATION OF OBLIGATION. Notwithstanding
any other provision of this title, an electing company shall
continue to comply with this subchapter until January 1, 2016
[2012], regardless of:
(1) the date the company elected under this chapter;
or
(2) any action taken in relation to that company under
Chapter 65.
SECTION 9. Section 59.077(a), Utilities Code, is amended to
read as follows:
(a) Notwithstanding the pricing flexibility authorized by
this subtitle, an electing company's rates for private network
services may not be increased before January 1, 2016 [2012].
SECTION 10. Section 59.083, Utilities Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 59.083. CONTINUATION OF OBLIGATION. Notwithstanding
any other provision of this title, an electing company shall
continue to comply with this subchapter until January 1, 2016
[2012], regardless of:
(1) the date the company elected under this chapter;
or
(2) any action taken in relation to that company under
Chapter 65.
SECTION 11. The changes in law made by this Act apply only
to a company that elects to provide discounted services on or after
the effective date of this Act. A company that elects to provide
discounted services before the effective date of this Act is
subject to the law in effect immediately before that date, and that
law is continued in effect for that purpose.
SECTION 12. This Act takes effect September 1, 2011.