reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
TX Util § 56.155 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Utilities Code|Title 2 - Public Utility Regulatory Act|Subtitle C - Telecommunications Utilities|Chapter 56 - Telecommunications Assistance and Universal Service Fund|Subchapter E. Specialized Telecommunications Assistance Program|Section 56.155. Recovery of Specialized Telecommunications Device Assistance Program Surcharge

Sec. 56.155.  RECOVERY OF SPECIALIZED TELECOMMUNICATIONS DEVICE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM SURCHARGE.  (a)  The commission shall allow a telecommunications utility to recover the universal service fund assessment related to the specialized telecommunications assistance program through a surcharge added to the utility's customers' bills.(b)  The commission shall specify how each utility must determine the amount of the surcharge and by rule shall prohibit a utility from recovering an aggregation of more than 12 months of assessments in a single surcharge.  The rules must require a utility to apply for approval of a surcharge before the 91st day after the date the period during which the aggregated surcharges were assessed closes.(c)  If a utility chooses to impose the surcharge, the utility shall include the surcharge in the "universal service fund surcharge" listing as provided by Section 56.107.|Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 62, Sec. 18.08(e), eff. Sept. 1, 1999.  Amended by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1553, Sec. 8, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.|
TX Util § 56.156 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Utilities Code|Title 2 - Public Utility Regulatory Act|Subtitle C - Telecommunications Utilities|Chapter 56 - Telecommunications Assistance and Universal Service Fund|Subchapter E. Specialized Telecommunications Assistance Program|Section 56.156. Promotion of Program

Sec. 56.156.  PROMOTION OF PROGRAM.  The department may promote the program established under this subchapter by means of participation in events, advertisements, pamphlets, brochures, forms, pins, or other promotional items or efforts that provide contact information for persons interested in applying for a voucher under the program.|Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 424, Sec. 4, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.Amended by: Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 532 (S.B. 512), Sec. 10, eff. September 1, 2013.|
TX Util § 56.201 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Utilities Code|Title 2 - Public Utility Regulatory Act|Subtitle C - Telecommunications Utilities|Chapter 56 - Telecommunications Assistance and Universal Service Fund|Subchapter F. Service to Uncertificated Area|Section 56.201. Definition

Sec. 56.201.  DEFINITION.  In this subchapter, "permanent residential or business premises" means a premises that has permanent facilities for water, wastewater, and electricity.|Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 651, Sec. 4, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.|
TX Util § 56.202 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Utilities Code|Title 2 - Public Utility Regulatory Act|Subtitle C - Telecommunications Utilities|Chapter 56 - Telecommunications Assistance and Universal Service Fund|Subchapter F. Service to Uncertificated Area|Section 56.202. Designation of Provider

Sec. 56.202.  DESIGNATION OF PROVIDER.  (a)  Notwithstanding Section 54.001, the commission may designate a telecommunications provider under this section to provide voice-grade services to permanent residential or business premises that are not included within the certificated area of a holder of a certificate of convenience and necessity.(b)  The commission may designate a provider only if the provider is otherwise eligible to receive universal service funds under Section 56.023(b).|Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 651, Sec. 4, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.|
TX Util § 56.203 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Utilities Code|Title 2 - Public Utility Regulatory Act|Subtitle C - Telecommunications Utilities|Chapter 56 - Telecommunications Assistance and Universal Service Fund|Subchapter F. Service to Uncertificated Area|Section 56.203. Petition for Service

Sec. 56.203.  PETITION FOR SERVICE.  Persons residing in permanent residential premises or owners of permanent residential or business premises that are not included within the certificated area of a holder of a certificate of convenience and necessity may petition the commission to designate a telecommunications provider to provide to those premises voice-grade services supported by state and federal universal service support mechanisms.|Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 651, Sec. 4, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.|
TX Util § 56.204 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Utilities Code|Title 2 - Public Utility Regulatory Act|Subtitle C - Telecommunications Utilities|Chapter 56 - Telecommunications Assistance and Universal Service Fund|Subchapter F. Service to Uncertificated Area|Section 56.204. Contents of Petition

Sec. 56.204.  CONTENTS OF PETITION.  (a)  A petition for designation of a service provider must:(1)  state with reasonable particularity the locations of the permanent residential or business premises for which the petitioners are requesting service;(2)  establish that those locations are within reasonable proximity to one another so that the petitioners possess a sufficient community of interest to warrant the designation of a provider and the expenditure of universal service funds necessary to establish service;(3)  except as provided by Subsection (b), be signed by at least five persons who:(A)  are not members of the same household;(B)  reside in the permanent residential premises or are the owners of the permanent residential or business premises for which service is sought and that are not located within a certificated area;(C)  want service to those premises;  and(D)  commit to pay the aid to construction charges for service to those premises as determined by the commission;(4)  nominate as potential providers of service not more than five telecommunications providers serving territory that is contiguous to the location of the permanent residential or business premises using wireless or wireline facilities, resale, or unbundled network elements;  and(5)  include as an attachment or an appendix documentation indicating the required residence or ownership, including a state-issued license or identification, tax records, deeds, or voter registration materials.(b)  The commission may accept a petition that is signed by fewer than five persons if a petitioner provides an affidavit stating that the petitioners have taken all reasonable steps to secure the signatures of the residents of permanent residential premises or the owners of permanent residential or business premises within reasonably close proximity to the petitioning premises who are not receiving telephone service when the petition is filed and who want telephone service initiated.|Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 651, Sec. 4, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.|
TX Util § 56.205 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Utilities Code|Title 2 - Public Utility Regulatory Act|Subtitle C - Telecommunications Utilities|Chapter 56 - Telecommunications Assistance and Universal Service Fund|Subchapter F. Service to Uncertificated Area|Section 56.205. Hearing

Sec. 56.205.  HEARING.  If the commission finds that the petition complies with Section 56.204, the commission shall hold an evidentiary hearing to determine if a telecommunications provider is willing to be designated to provide service to those premises or, if a provider is not willing to be designated, to determine the telecommunications provider that is best able to serve those premises under the criteria prescribed by this subchapter.|Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 651, Sec. 4, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.|
TX Util § 56.206 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Utilities Code|Title 2 - Public Utility Regulatory Act|Subtitle C - Telecommunications Utilities|Chapter 56 - Telecommunications Assistance and Universal Service Fund|Subchapter F. Service to Uncertificated Area|Section 56.206. Denial of Petition

Sec. 56.206.  DENIAL OF PETITION.  The commission shall deny a petition if the commission determines that services cannot be extended to the petitioning premises at a reasonable cost.  In making that determination, the commission shall consider all relevant factors, including:(1)  the original cost to be incurred by a designated provider to deploy service to the petitioning premises, and the effect of reimbursement of those costs on the state universal service fund;(2)  the number of access lines requested by the petitioners for the petitioning premises;(3)  the size of the geographic territory in which the petitioning premises are included;(4)  the proximity of existing facilities and the existence of a preferred designated provider under Section 56.213;  and(5)  any technical barriers to the provision of service.|Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 651, Sec. 4, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.|
TX Util § 56.207 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Utilities Code|Title 2 - Public Utility Regulatory Act|Subtitle C - Telecommunications Utilities|Chapter 56 - Telecommunications Assistance and Universal Service Fund|Subchapter F. Service to Uncertificated Area|Section 56.207. Order

Sec. 56.207.  ORDER.  In any order granting a petition, the commission shall:(1)  approve the facilities to be deployed based on the estimated costs of deployment submitted in accordance with Section 56.208(a);(2)  approve the amount of original cost of deployment to be recovered from the state universal service fund and the terms of original cost recovery under Section 56.209;  and(3)  approve the recurring cost recovery under Section 56.209, including the monthly rate for services and the monthly per line fee to be recovered from the state universal service fund under that section.|Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 651, Sec. 4, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.|
TX Util § 56.208 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Utilities Code|Title 2 - Public Utility Regulatory Act|Subtitle C - Telecommunications Utilities|Chapter 56 - Telecommunications Assistance and Universal Service Fund|Subchapter F. Service to Uncertificated Area|Section 56.208. Designation of Provider

Sec. 56.208.  DESIGNATION OF PROVIDER.  (a)  In determining which nominated telecommunications provider the commission will designate to provide service to the petitioning premises, the commission shall consider the relative estimated cost to be incurred by contiguous providers to serve the petitioning premises and give preference to the provider having the least cost technology that meets the quality of service standards prescribed by the commission applicable to that provider.(b)  The commission may not designate a telecommunications provider to serve the petitioning premises unless the premises are located in an area that is contiguous to an area in which the telecommunications provider has previously been designated eligible to receive universal service funding under Section 56.023(b).  This subsection does not apply if the commission designates the provider after the provider voluntarily agrees to provide service to the petitioning premises.|Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 651, Sec. 4, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.|
TX Util § 56.210 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Utilities Code|Title 2 - Public Utility Regulatory Act|Subtitle C - Telecommunications Utilities|Chapter 56 - Telecommunications Assistance and Universal Service Fund|Subchapter F. Service to Uncertificated Area|Section 56.210. Aid to Construction Charge; Contract for Services

Sec. 56.210.  AID TO CONSTRUCTION CHARGE;  CONTRACT FOR SERVICES.  The commission shall establish a reasonable aid to construction charge, not to exceed $3,000, to be assessed each petitioner.  The commission may not require a designated provider to begin construction until:(1)  each petitioner has paid or executed an agreement acceptable to the provider to pay the aid to construction charge;  and(2)  each petitioner has executed an assignable agreement for subscription to basic local service to the petitioning premises from the designated provider for a period at least equal to the period during which the provider will receive reimbursement for the original cost of deployment under Section 56.209(b).|Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 651, Sec. 4, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.|
TX Util § 56.211 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Utilities Code|Title 2 - Public Utility Regulatory Act|Subtitle C - Telecommunications Utilities|Chapter 56 - Telecommunications Assistance and Universal Service Fund|Subchapter F. Service to Uncertificated Area|Section 56.211. Permanent Premises Required

Sec. 56.211.  PERMANENT PREMISES REQUIRED.  A telecommunications provider may not under any circumstances be required to extend service to a location that is not a permanent residential or business premises or be required to provide service to the petitioning premises before the 180th day after the date the provider was designated to provide service to the petitioning premises.|Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 651, Sec. 4, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.|
TX Util § 56.212 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Utilities Code|Title 2 - Public Utility Regulatory Act|Subtitle C - Telecommunications Utilities|Chapter 56 - Telecommunications Assistance and Universal Service Fund|Subchapter F. Service to Uncertificated Area|Section 56.212. Subsequent Related Petitions

Sec. 56.212.  SUBSEQUENT RELATED PETITIONS.  (a)  If the commission approves a petition requesting service, residents of permanent residential premises or owners of permanent residential or business premises in reasonable proximity to the premises that were the subject of an approved petition who did not sign the prior petition requesting service are not entitled to receive service under this subchapter until the fifth anniversary of the date the prior petition was filed unless the residents or owners file a new petition under this subchapter and agree to pay aid to construction charges on the same terms as applicable to the prior petitioners.(b)  The designated provider shall receive reimbursement for the original cost of deployment and actual recurring costs of providing service to those additional residents in the same manner as the provider received reimbursement of those costs in relation to the prior petitioners.  The provider may not receive reimbursement for the original cost of deployment under a subsequent petition if the provider previously received complete reimbursement for those costs from the state universal service fund.  If the state universal service fund has completely reimbursed the original cost of deployment as provided by this subchapter, each subsequent petitioner must pay into the state universal service fund an amount equal to the aid to construction charge paid by each prior petitioner.|Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 651, Sec. 4, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.|
TX Util § 56.213 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Utilities Code|Title 2 - Public Utility Regulatory Act|Subtitle C - Telecommunications Utilities|Chapter 56 - Telecommunications Assistance and Universal Service Fund|Subchapter F. Service to Uncertificated Area|Section 56.213. Preferred Provider

Sec. 56.213.  PREFERRED PROVIDER.  (a)  A provider who is designated to serve petitioning premises located within an uncertificated area under this subchapter is the preferred provider for any permanent residential or business premises in reasonable proximity to those petitioning premises for later petitions filed under Section 56.212.(b)  A preferred designated provider is entitled to an opportunity for a hearing under Section 56.205 on a petition filed under Section 56.203.|Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 651, Sec. 4, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.|Sec. 56.214.  CERTIFICATE NOT AMENDED.  The designation of a provider to serve permanent residential or business premises within an uncertificated area under this subchapter does not have the effect of:(1)  amending the boundaries of the provider's certificate to provide local exchange service;  or(2)  imposing carrier of last resort responsibilities on the provider.|Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 651, Sec. 4, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.|
TX Util § 56.251 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Utilities Code|Title 2 - Public Utility Regulatory Act|Subtitle C - Telecommunications Utilities|Chapter 56 - Telecommunications Assistance and Universal Service Fund|Subchapter G. Funding for Certain Telecommunications Utilities|Section 56.251. Definition

Sec. 56.251.  DEFINITION.  In this subchapter, "successor utility" has the meaning assigned by Section 54.301.|Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 76, Sec. 7, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.|
TX Util § 56.252 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Utilities Code|Title 2 - Public Utility Regulatory Act|Subtitle C - Telecommunications Utilities|Chapter 56 - Telecommunications Assistance and Universal Service Fund|Subchapter G. Funding for Certain Telecommunications Utilities|Section 56.252. Telecommunications Utilities Eligible to Receive Funding Under This Subchapter

Sec. 56.252.  TELECOMMUNICATIONS UTILITIES ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE FUNDING UNDER THIS SUBCHAPTER.  A telecommunications utility may receive funding under this subchapter only if:(1)  the telecommunications utility is eligible to receive universal service funding under Section 56.023(b);  and(2)  the telecommunications utility is designated as a successor utility under Section 54.303.|Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 76, Sec. 7, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.|
TX Util § 56.253 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Utilities Code|Title 2 - Public Utility Regulatory Act|Subtitle C - Telecommunications Utilities|Chapter 56 - Telecommunications Assistance and Universal Service Fund|Subchapter G. Funding for Certain Telecommunications Utilities|Section 56.253. Determination of Successor Utility's Costs to Be Recovered

Sec. 56.253.  DETERMINATION OF SUCCESSOR UTILITY'S COSTS TO BE RECOVERED.  (a)  At the time the commission designates the successor utility under Section 54.303, the commission shall determine the extent to which the utility should recover the costs the utility will incur in accepting and establishing service to the affected service area.(b)  In making the determination under Subsection (a), the commission shall consider relevant information, including the costs of acquiring and restoring or upgrading the utility's facilities in the geographic area as necessary to make those facilities compatible with the facilities in the utility's other certificated service areas and to comply with commission quality of service standards.|Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 76, Sec. 7, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.|
TX Util § 56.254 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Utilities Code|Title 2 - Public Utility Regulatory Act|Subtitle C - Telecommunications Utilities|Chapter 56 - Telecommunications Assistance and Universal Service Fund|Subchapter G. Funding for Certain Telecommunications Utilities|Section 56.254. Recovery of Costs

Sec. 56.254.  RECOVERY OF COSTS.  The commission order designating the successor utility under Section 54.303 shall authorize the utility to recover the costs determined under Section 56.253.  The costs may be amortized and recovered from the state universal service fund, together with interest at the prevailing commercial lending rate:(1)  not later than the first anniversary of the date of the order if the costs are not more than $1 million;(2)  not later than the second anniversary of the date of the order if the costs are more than $1 million but no more than $2 million;  and(3)  not later than the third anniversary of the date of the order if the costs are more than $2 million.|Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 76, Sec. 7, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.|
TX Util § 56.301 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Utilities Code|Title 2 - Public Utility Regulatory Act|Subtitle C - Telecommunications Utilities|Chapter 56 - Telecommunications Assistance and Universal Service Fund|Subchapter H. Audio Newspaper Program|Section 56.301. Audio Newspaper Assistance Program

Sec. 56.301.  AUDIO NEWSPAPER ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.  The commission by rule shall establish a program to provide from the universal service fund financial assistance for a free telephone service for blind and visually impaired persons that offers the text of newspapers using synthetic speech.  The commission may adopt rules to implement the program.|Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., 2nd C.S., Ch. 2 (S.B. 5), Sec. 17, eff. September 7, 2005.|
TX Util § 57.001 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Utilities Code|Title 2 - Public Utility Regulatory Act|Subtitle C - Telecommunications Utilities|Chapter 57 - Distance Learning and Other Advanced Services|Subchapter A. General Provisions|Section 57.001. Conflict of Provisions

Sec. 57.001.  CONFLICT OF PROVISIONS.  If this chapter conflicts with another provision of this title, this chapter prevails.|Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 166, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.|
TX Util § 57.021 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Utilities Code|Title 2 - Public Utility Regulatory Act|Subtitle C - Telecommunications Utilities|Chapter 57 - Distance Learning and Other Advanced Services|Subchapter B. Distance Learning and Information Sharing|Section 57.021. Definitions

Sec. 57.021.  DEFINITIONS.  In this subchapter:(1)  "Distance learning" means an instruction, learning, or training resource, including video, data, voice, or electronic information, that is:(A)  used by an educational institution predominantly for instruction, learning, or training;  and(B)  transmitted from a site to one or more other sites by a telecommunications service.(2)  "Educational institution" includes:(A)  an accredited primary or secondary school;(B)  an institution of higher education as defined by Section 61.003, Education Code;(C)  a private institution of higher education accredited by a recognized accrediting agency as defined by Section 61.003, Education Code;(D)  the Texas Education Agency and its successors and assigns;(E)  a regional education service center established and operated in accordance with Chapter 8, Education Code;  or(F)  the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and its successors and assigns.(3)  "Library" means:(A)  a public library or regional library system as defined by Section 441.122, Government Code;  or(B)  a library operated by an institution of higher education or a school district.|Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 166, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.|
TX Util § 57.022 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Utilities Code|Title 2 - Public Utility Regulatory Act|Subtitle C - Telecommunications Utilities|Chapter 57 - Distance Learning and Other Advanced Services|Subchapter B. Distance Learning and Information Sharing|Section 57.022. Reduced Rates for Distance Learning or Information Sharing Services

Sec. 57.022.  REDUCED RATES FOR DISTANCE LEARNING OR INFORMATION SHARING SERVICES.  (a)  The commission by rule shall require a dominant carrier to file a tariff that includes a reduced rate for a telecommunications service the commission finds is directly related to:(1)  a distance learning activity that is or could be conducted by an educational institution in this state;  or(2)  an information sharing program that is or could be conducted by a library in this state.(b)  The commission rules shall specify:(1)  each telecommunications service to which Subsection (a) applies;(2)  the process for an educational institution or library to qualify for a reduced rate;(3)  the date by which a dominant carrier is required to file a tariff;(4)  guidelines and criteria that require the services and reduced rates to further the goals prescribed by Section 57.023;  and(5)  any other requirement or term that the commission determines to be in the public interest.(c)  The commission is not required to determine the long run incremental cost of providing a service before approving a reduced rate for the service.(d)  Until cost determination rules are developed and the rates established under this section are changed as necessary to ensure proper cost recovery, the reduced rates established by the commission shall be equal to 75 percent of the otherwise applicable rate.(e)  After the commission develops cost determination rules for telecommunications services generally, the commission shall ensure that a reduced rate approved under this section:(1)  recovers service-specific long run incremental costs;  and(2)  avoids subsidizing an educational institution or a library.|Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 166, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.|