TITLE: Relating to bill payment assistance for certain utility bills after a disaster.

SUMMARY: Relating to bill payment assistance for certain utility bills after a disaster.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to bill payment assistance for certain utility bills after a disaster. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subchapter Z, Chapter 39, Utilities Code, is amended by adding Section 39.9031 to read as follows: Sec. 39.9031. DISASTER BILL PAYMENT ASSISTANCE. (a) The commission by rule shall direct municipally owned utilities, electric cooperatives, and retail electric providers in the ERCOT power region to waive any bill increases for retail electric customers who receive an unusually high bill for services provided during a state of disaster or emergency declared by the president of the United States or a state of disaster declared by the governor under Chapter 418, Government Code; SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.