reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
TX Util § 55.006 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Utilities Code|Title 2 - Public Utility Regulatory Act|Subtitle C - Telecommunications Utilities|Chapter 55 - Regulation of Telecommunications Services|Subchapter A. General Provisions|Section 55.006. Discrimination and Restriction on Competition

Sec. 55.006.  DISCRIMINATION AND RESTRICTION ON COMPETITION.  A public utility may not:(1)  discriminate against a person who sells or leases equipment or performs services in competition with the public utility;  or(2)  engage in a practice that tends to restrict or impair that competition.|Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 166, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.|
TX Util § 55.007 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Utilities Code|Title 2 - Public Utility Regulatory Act|Subtitle C - Telecommunications Utilities|Chapter 55 - Regulation of Telecommunications Services|Subchapter A. General Provisions|Section 55.007. Minimum Services

Sec. 55.007.  MINIMUM SERVICES.  (a)  The commission shall require a holder of a certificate of convenience and necessity or a certificate of operating authority to provide at the applicable tariff rate, if any, to each customer, regardless of race, national origin, income, or residence in an urban or rural area:(1)  single-party service;(2)  tone-dialing service;(3)  basic custom calling features;(4)  equal access for an interLATA interexchange carrier on a bona fide request;  and(5)  digital switching capability in an exchange on customer request, provided by a digital switch in the exchange or by connection to a digital switch in another exchange.(b)  Notwithstanding Subsection (a), an electing incumbent local exchange company serving more than 175,000 but fewer than 1,500,000 access lines on January 1, 1995, shall install a digital switch in each central office that serves an exchange of fewer than 20,000 access lines.(c)  The commission may temporarily waive a requirement imposed by Subsection (a) or (b) on a showing of good cause.(d)  The commission may not consider the cost of implementing this section in determining whether an electing company is entitled to:(1)  a rate increase under Chapter 58 or 59;  or(2)  increased universal service funds under Subchapter B, Chapter 56.(e)  Expired.|Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 166, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.|
TX Util § 55.008 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Utilities Code|Title 2 - Public Utility Regulatory Act|Subtitle C - Telecommunications Utilities|Chapter 55 - Regulation of Telecommunications Services|Subchapter A. General Provisions|Section 55.008. Improvements in Service; Interconnecting Service

Sec. 55.008.  IMPROVEMENTS IN SERVICE;  INTERCONNECTING SERVICE.  The commission, after notice and hearing, may:(1)  order a public utility to provide specified improvements in its service in a specified area if:(A)  service in the area is inadequate or substantially inferior to service in a comparable area;  and(B)  requiring the company to provide the improved service is reasonable;  or(2)  order two or more utilities to establish specified facilities for interconnecting service.|Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 166, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.|
TX Util § 55.009 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Utilities Code|Title 2 - Public Utility Regulatory Act|Subtitle C - Telecommunications Utilities|Chapter 55 - Regulation of Telecommunications Services|Subchapter A. General Provisions|Section 55.009. Intralata Calls

Sec. 55.009.  INTRALATA CALLS.  (a)  If federal law prohibits a local exchange company in this state from providing interLATA telecommunications services, the local exchange companies in this state designated or de facto authorized to receive a "0-plus" or "1-plus" dialed intraLATA call are exclusively designated or authorized to receive such a call.(b)  A telecommunications utility operating under a certificate of operating authority or a service provider certificate of operating authority is de facto authorized to receive a "0-plus" or "1-plus" dialed intraLATA call on the date the utility receives its certificate, to the extent the utility is not restricted by Section 54.159.(c)  If federal law allows all local exchange companies to provide interLATA telecommunications services, the commission shall ensure that:(1)  a customer may designate a provider of the customer's choice to carry the customer's "0-plus" and "1-plus" dialed intraLATA calls;  and(2)  equal access in the public network is implemented to allow the provider to carry those calls.|Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 166, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.|
TX Util § 55.010 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Utilities Code|Title 2 - Public Utility Regulatory Act|Subtitle C - Telecommunications Utilities|Chapter 55 - Regulation of Telecommunications Services|Subchapter A. General Provisions|Section 55.010. Billing for Service to the State

Sec. 55.010.  BILLING FOR SERVICE TO THE STATE.  A telecommunications utility providing service to the state, including service to an agency in any branch of state government, may not impose a fee, a penalty, interest, or any other charge for delinquent payment of a bill for that service.|Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 166, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.|
TX Util § 55.011 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Utilities Code|Title 2 - Public Utility Regulatory Act|Subtitle C - Telecommunications Utilities|Chapter 55 - Regulation of Telecommunications Services|Subchapter A. General Provisions|Section 55.011. Notice of Identity of Interexchange Carrier

Sec. 55.011.  NOTICE OF IDENTITY OF INTEREXCHANGE CARRIER.  (a)  A local exchange company shall print on the first page of each bill sent to a customer of the local exchange company the name of the customer's primary interexchange carrier if the company provides billing services for that carrier.(b)  The bill must contain instructions on how the customer can contact the commission if the customer believes that the named carrier is not the customer's primary interexchange carrier.(c)  The commission may, for good cause, waive the billing requirement prescribed by this section in exchanges served by local exchange companies serving not more than 31,000 access lines.|Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 62, Sec. 18.04(b), eff. Sept. 1, 1999.|
TX Util § 55.013 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Utilities Code|Title 2 - Public Utility Regulatory Act|Subtitle C - Telecommunications Utilities|Chapter 55 - Regulation of Telecommunications Services|Subchapter A. General Provisions|Section 55.013. Limitations on Discontinuance of Basic Local Telecommunications Service

Sec. 55.013.  LIMITATIONS ON DISCONTINUANCE OF BASIC LOCAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICE.  (a)  A provider of basic local telecommunications service may not discontinue that service because of nonpayment by a residential customer of charges for long distance service.  Payment shall first be allocated to basic local telecommunications service.(b)  For purposes of allocating payment in this section, if the provider of basic local telecommunications service bundles its basic local telecommunications service with long distance service or any other service and provides a discount for the basic local telecommunications service because of that bundling, the rate of basic local telecommunications service shall be the rate the provider charges for stand-alone basic local telecommunications service.(c)  Notwithstanding Subsection (a), the commission shall adopt and implement rules, not later than January 1, 2000, to prevent customer abuse of the protections afforded by this section.  The rules must include:(1)  provisions requiring a provider of basic local telecommunications service to offer and implement toll blocking capability to limit a customer's ability to incur additional charges for long distance services after nonpayment for long distance services;  and(2)  provisions regarding fraudulent activity in response to which a provider may discontinue a residential customer's basic local telecommunications service.(d)  Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, the commission has all jurisdiction necessary to establish a maximum price that an incumbent local exchange company may charge a long distance service provider to initiate the toll blocking capability required to be offered under the rules adopted under Subsection (c).  The maximum price established under this subsection shall be observed by all providers of basic local telecommunications service in the incumbent local exchange company's certificated service area.  Notwithstanding Sections 52.102 and 52.152, the commission has all jurisdiction necessary to enforce this section.(e)  A provider of basic local exchange telecommunications service shall comply with the requirements of this section not later than March 1, 2000.|Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1212, Sec. 19, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.|
TX Util § 55.014 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Utilities Code|Title 2 - Public Utility Regulatory Act|Subtitle C - Telecommunications Utilities|Chapter 55 - Regulation of Telecommunications Services|Subchapter A. General Provisions|Section 55.014. Provision of Advanced Telecommunications Services

Sec. 55.014.  PROVISION OF ADVANCED TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES.  (a)  In this section, "advanced service" means any telecommunications service other than residential or business basic local exchange telephone service, caller identification service, and customer calling features.(b)  This section applies to a company electing under Chapter 58 or a company that holds a certificate of operating authority or service provider certificate of operating authority.(c)  Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, beginning September 1, 2001, a company to which this section applies that provides advanced telecommunications services within the company's urban service areas, shall, on a bona fide retail request for those services, provide in rural areas of this state served by the company advanced telecommunications services that are reasonably comparable to the advanced services provided in urban areas.  The company shall offer the advanced telecommunications services:(1)  at prices, terms, and conditions that are reasonably comparable to the prices, terms, and conditions for similar advanced services provided by the company in urban areas;  and(2)  within 15 months after the bona fide request for those advanced services.(d)  Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, a company to which this section applies shall, on a bona fide retail request for those services, offer caller identification service and custom calling features in rural areas served by the company.  The company shall offer the services:(1)  at prices, terms, and conditions reasonably comparable to the company's prices, terms, and conditions for similar services in urban areas;  and(2)  within 15 months after the bona fide request for those services.(e)  This section may not be construed to require a company to:(1)  begin providing services in a rural area in which the company does not provide local exchange telephone service;  or(2)  provide a service in a rural area of this state unless the company provides the service in urban areas of this state.(f)  For purposes of this section, a company to which this section applies is considered to provide services in urban areas of this state if the company provides services in a municipality with a population of more than 190,000.(g)  Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, the commission has all jurisdiction necessary to enforce this section.|Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1212, Sec. 20, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.|
TX Util § 55.016 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Utilities Code|Title 2 - Public Utility Regulatory Act|Subtitle C - Telecommunications Utilities|Chapter 55 - Regulation of Telecommunications Services|Subchapter A. General Provisions|Section 55.016. Telecommunications Billing

Sec. 55.016.  TELECOMMUNICATIONS BILLING.  (a)  The proliferation of charges for separate services, products, surcharges, fees, and taxes on a bill for telecommunications products or services has increased the complexity of those bills to such an extent that in some cases the bills have become difficult for customers to understand.(b)  A bill from a local exchange company for telecommunications products or services should be consistent with providing customers sufficient information about the charges included in the bill to understand the basis and source of the charges.(c)  To the extent permitted by law, a monthly bill from a local exchange company for local exchange telephone service shall clearly identify all charges including basic local service charges, fees, carrier's charges, assessments, surcharges, optional services, and taxes.(d)  Local exchange carriers shall annually file a copy of that portion of their bill that has not been previously approved by the commission for compliance review with this section.(e)  The commission shall have all necessary authority to enforce this section.|Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1212, Sec. 18, eff. Mar. 1, 2000.  Amended by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 963, Sec. 1, eff. June 14, 2001.  Renumbered from Sec. 55.012 by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1420, Sec. 21.001(110), eff. Sept. 1, 2001.|
TX Util § 55.017 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Utilities Code|Title 2 - Public Utility Regulatory Act|Subtitle C - Telecommunications Utilities|Chapter 55 - Regulation of Telecommunications Services|Subchapter A. General Provisions|Section 55.017. Identification Required

Sec. 55.017.  IDENTIFICATION REQUIRED.  (a)  A representative of a telecommunications provider or a video or cable service provider that has an easement in or a right-of-way over or through real property must show proof of identification to the owner of the real property when entering the property if requested by the owner.(b)  This section does not apply to regularly scheduled service readings or examinations.|Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., 2nd C.S., Ch. 2 (S.B. 5), Sec. 10, eff. September 7, 2005.|
TX Util § 55.021 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Utilities Code|Title 2 - Public Utility Regulatory Act|Subtitle C - Telecommunications Utilities|Chapter 55 - Regulation of Telecommunications Services|Subchapter B. Extended Area Service|Section 55.021. Extended Area Service

Sec. 55.021.  EXTENDED AREA SERVICE.  After notice and a hearing, the commission may order one or more local exchange companies that are dominant carriers to provide:(1)  mandatory extended area service in accordance with Section 55.022;  or(2)  optional extended area service in accordance with Section 55.023.|Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 166, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.|
TX Util § 55.022 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Utilities Code|Title 2 - Public Utility Regulatory Act|Subtitle C - Telecommunications Utilities|Chapter 55 - Regulation of Telecommunications Services|Subchapter B. Extended Area Service|Section 55.022. Mandatory Service

Sec. 55.022.  MANDATORY SERVICE.  The commission may order mandatory extended area service in a specified metropolitan area if:(1)  there is a sufficient community of interest in the area;  and(2)  the company can reasonably provide the service.|Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 166, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.|
TX Util § 55.023 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Utilities Code|Title 2 - Public Utility Regulatory Act|Subtitle C - Telecommunications Utilities|Chapter 55 - Regulation of Telecommunications Services|Subchapter B. Extended Area Service|Section 55.023. Optional Extended Area Service

Sec. 55.023.  OPTIONAL EXTENDED AREA SERVICE.  (a)  The commission may order optional extended area service in a specified calling area if:(1)  each affected company and the representatives of at least one political subdivision in the proposed calling area agree to the service;  and(2)  the proposed common calling area has a single, continuous boundary.(b)  The commission may not adopt rules that diminish in any manner the ability of an affected company or a political subdivision to enter into joint agreements for optional extended area service under this section.(c)  In this section, "political subdivision" means:(1)  a county;(2)  a municipality;  or(3)  an unincorporated town or village that has 275 or more access lines.|Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 166, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.|
TX Util § 55.024 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Utilities Code|Title 2 - Public Utility Regulatory Act|Subtitle C - Telecommunications Utilities|Chapter 55 - Regulation of Telecommunications Services|Subchapter B. Extended Area Service|Section 55.024. Charge for Extended Area Service

Sec. 55.024.  CHARGE FOR EXTENDED AREA SERVICE.  (a)  An incumbent local exchange company that provides mandatory two-way extended area service to customers shall impose for that service a separately stated monthly charge of $3.50 a line for a residential customer and $7 a line for a business customer if, on September 1, 1995, the company:(1)  served more than 1,000,000 access lines in this state;  and(2)  imposed a separately stated monthly charge for mandatory two-way extended area service of more than $3.50 a line for a residential customer and more than $7 a line for a business customer.(b)  The company shall recover all costs incurred and all loss of revenue that results from imposition of the rates prescribed by Subsection (a) in the manner prescribed by Section 55.048(c).(c)  The rate limitation prescribed by Subsection (a) does not apply to a separately stated monthly charge for:(1)  extended area service in or into a metropolitan exchange;  or(2)  extended metropolitan service.|Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 166, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.|
TX Util § 55.025 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Utilities Code|Title 2 - Public Utility Regulatory Act|Subtitle C - Telecommunications Utilities|Chapter 55 - Regulation of Telecommunications Services|Subchapter B. Extended Area Service|Section 55.025. Hunting Service

Sec. 55.025.  HUNTING SERVICE.  (a)  A local exchange company shall make available, at a reasonable tariffed rate, hunting service from local exchange lines to extended metropolitan service lines.(b)  The company may not require a customer to purchase additional extended metropolitan service to obtain the hunting service.|Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 166, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.|
TX Util § 55.026 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Utilities Code|Title 2 - Public Utility Regulatory Act|Subtitle C - Telecommunications Utilities|Chapter 55 - Regulation of Telecommunications Services|Subchapter B. Extended Area Service|Section 55.026. New Orders Prohibited After Certain Date

Sec. 55.026.  NEW ORDERS PROHIBITED AFTER CERTAIN DATE.  On or after September 1, 2011, the commission may not require a telecommunications provider to provide mandatory or optional extended area service to additional metropolitan areas or calling areas.|Added by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 98 (S.B. 980), Sec. 8, eff. September 1, 2011.|
TX Util § 55.041 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Utilities Code|Title 2 - Public Utility Regulatory Act|Subtitle C - Telecommunications Utilities|Chapter 55 - Regulation of Telecommunications Services|Subchapter C. Expanded Toll-Free Local Calling Areas|Section 55.041. Definitions

Sec. 55.041.  DEFINITIONS.  In this subchapter, "metropolitan exchange," "local calling area of a metropolitan exchange," and "exchange" have the meanings and boundaries assigned by the commission on September 1, 1993.|Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 166, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.|
TX Util § 55.042 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Utilities Code|Title 2 - Public Utility Regulatory Act|Subtitle C - Telecommunications Utilities|Chapter 55 - Regulation of Telecommunications Services|Subchapter C. Expanded Toll-Free Local Calling Areas|Section 55.042. Contiguous Exchange

Sec. 55.042.  CONTIGUOUS EXCHANGE.  The commission may expand a toll-free local calling area into an exchange that is not in a metropolitan exchange but is in a local calling area that is contiguous to a metropolitan exchange that the commission determines has a community of interest with the exchange for which a petition is filed under this subchapter.|Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 166, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.|
TX Util § 55.043 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Utilities Code|Title 2 - Public Utility Regulatory Act|Subtitle C - Telecommunications Utilities|Chapter 55 - Regulation of Telecommunications Services|Subchapter C. Expanded Toll-Free Local Calling Areas|Section 55.043. Splitting Exchanges Prohibited

Sec. 55.043.  SPLITTING EXCHANGES PROHIBITED.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this subchapter, the commission may not split a petitioning or requested exchange in establishing a toll-free local calling area.|Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 166, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.|
TX Util § 55.044 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Utilities Code|Title 2 - Public Utility Regulatory Act|Subtitle C - Telecommunications Utilities|Chapter 55 - Regulation of Telecommunications Services|Subchapter C. Expanded Toll-Free Local Calling Areas|Section 55.044. Exemption

Sec. 55.044.  EXEMPTION.  (a)  The commission may not require an incumbent local exchange company serving the petitioning or requested exchange to expand the company's toll-free local calling area under this subchapter if:(1)  the incumbent local exchange company has fewer than 10,000 access lines;(2)  the petitioning or requested exchange is served by a telephone cooperative corporation;(3)  extended area service or extended metropolitan service is available between the exchanges;(4)  the petitioning or requested exchange is a metropolitan exchange;  or(5)  the commission determines that the company has shown that to serve the area is not geographically or technologically feasible.(b)  To promote the wide dispersion of pay telephones, the commission may:(1)  exempt pay telephones from this subchapter;  or(2)  change the rates charged for calls from pay telephones.|Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 166, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.|
TX Util § 55.045 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Utilities Code|Title 2 - Public Utility Regulatory Act|Subtitle C - Telecommunications Utilities|Chapter 55 - Regulation of Telecommunications Services|Subchapter C. Expanded Toll-Free Local Calling Areas|Section 55.045. Eligibility to Petition

Sec. 55.045.  ELIGIBILITY TO PETITION.  The telephone subscribers of an incumbent local exchange company exchange that serves not more than 10,000 access lines may petition the commission for expansion of the company's toll-free local calling area if:(1)  the petitioning exchange's central switching office is located within 22 miles, using vertical and horizontal geographic coordinates, of the central switching office of the exchange requested for expanded local calling service;  or(2)  the petitioning exchange's central office is not more than 50 miles from the central office of the exchange requested for expanded local calling service and the exchanges share a community of interest.|Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 166, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.|
TX Util § 55.046 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Utilities Code|Title 2 - Public Utility Regulatory Act|Subtitle C - Telecommunications Utilities|Chapter 55 - Regulation of Telecommunications Services|Subchapter C. Expanded Toll-Free Local Calling Areas|Section 55.046. Petition Requirements

Sec. 55.046.  PETITION REQUIREMENTS.  (a)  A petition under this subchapter must be signed by a number of the exchange's subscribers equal at least to the lesser of 100 of the exchange's subscribers or five percent of the exchange's subscribers.(b)  An exchange that petitions under Section 55.045(2) must demonstrate in the petition that the exchange shares a community of interest with the requested exchange.(c)  For purposes of this section, the relationships between exchanges that create a community of interest include:(1)  a relationship because of schools, hospitals, local governments, or business centers;  or(2)  other relationships that would make the unavailability of expanded local calling service a hardship for the residents of the area.|Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 166, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.|