TITLE: Relating to electricity service provided by retail electric providers; creating a criminal offense.

SUMMARY: Relating to electricity service provided by retail electric providers; creating a criminal offense.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to electricity service provided by retail electric providers; creating a criminal offense. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 15.030(b), Utilities Code, is amended to read as follows: (b) This section does not apply to an offense described by Section 17.010 or 55.138. SECTION 2. Subchapter A, Chapter 17, Utilities Code, is amended by adding Section 17.010 to read as follows: Sec. 17.010. UNAUTHORIZED SERVICE CHANGE; OFFENSE. (a) A person who is not a customer of a retail electric provider at an address may not discontinue the service provided by the retail electric provider at that address and initiate service with a different retail electric provider at that address unless the customer for that address consents. (b) An offense under this section is a Class Cmisdemeanor. SECTION 3. Subchapter Z, Chapter 39, Utilities Code, is amended by adding Section 39.917 to read as follows: Sec. 39.917. SERVICE INITIATION. (a) A retail electric provider may not initiate service for a customer at an address unless: (1) the retail electric provider has determined that no other retail electric provider is currently providing service for a different customer at that address; or (2) if another retail electric provider is currently providing service for a different customer at that address, the retail electric provider receives a written statement signed by that customer approving the service initiation. (b) For a service at an address that is a rental property, the release required by Subsection (a)(2) may be given by the owner or operator of the property. (c) A retail electric provider may not refuse a request for information made by another retail electric provider for the purposes of complying with this section. SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.