reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Texas Statutes › Utilities Code › Title 2 - Public Utility Regulatory Act › Subtitle C - Telecommunications Utilities › Chapter 58 - Incentive Regulation › Subchapter A. General Provisions › Section 58.004. Packaging, Term and Volume Discounts, and Promotional Offerings

Sec. 58.004.  PACKAGING, TERM AND VOLUME DISCOUNTS, AND PROMOTIONAL OFFERINGS.  (a)  Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, an electing company that has more than five million access lines in this state may not offer in an exchange a service listed in Sections 58.151(1)-(4) as a component of a package of services or as a promotional offering until the company makes the reduction in switched access service rates required by Section 58.301(2) unless the customer of one of the pricing flexibility offerings described in this subsection is a federal, state, or local governmental entity.
(b)  Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, an electing company that has more than five million access lines in this state may not offer a volume or term discount on any service listed in Sections 58.151(1)-(4) until September 1, 2000, unless the customer of one of the pricing flexibility offerings described in this subsection is a federal, state, or local governmental entity.
(c)  Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, an electing company that has more than five million access lines in this state may offer in an exchange a service listed in Sections 58.051(a)(1)-(4) as a component of a package of services, as a promotional offering, or with a volume or term discount on and after September 1, 1999.
Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1212, Sec. 34, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.
2023 Texas Statutes › Utilities Code › Title 2 - Public Utility Regulatory Act › Subtitle C - Telecommunications Utilities › Chapter 58 - Incentive Regulation › Subchapter B. Election of Incentive Regulation › Section 58.021. Election

Sec. 58.021.  ELECTION.  (a)  An incumbent local exchange company may elect to be subject to incentive regulation and to make the corresponding infrastructure commitment under this chapter by notifying the commission in writing of its election.
(b)  The notice must include a statement that the company agrees to:
(1)  limit until September 1, 2005, any increase in a rate the company charges for basic network services as prescribed by Subchapter C;   and
(2)  fulfill the infrastructure commitment prescribed by Subchapters F and G.
(c)  Except as provided in Subsection (d), an election under this chapter remains in effect until the legislature eliminates the incentive regulation authorized by this chapter and Chapter 59.
(d)  The commission may allow an electing company serving fewer than five million access lines to withdraw the company's election under this chapter:
(1)  on application by the company;  and
(2)  only for good cause.
(e)  In this section, "good cause" includes only matters beyond the control of the company.
Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 166, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.  Amended by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1212, Sec. 35, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.
2023 Texas Statutes › Utilities Code › Title 2 - Public Utility Regulatory Act › Subtitle C - Telecommunications Utilities › Chapter 58 - Incentive Regulation › Subchapter B. Election of Incentive Regulation › Section 58.022. Chapter Controls

Sec. 58.022.  CHAPTER CONTROLS.  This chapter governs the regulation of an electing company's telecommunications services regardless of whether the company is a dominant carrier.
Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 166, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.
2023 Texas Statutes › Utilities Code › Title 2 - Public Utility Regulatory Act › Subtitle C - Telecommunications Utilities › Chapter 58 - Incentive Regulation › Subchapter B. Election of Incentive Regulation › Section 58.023. Service Classification

Sec. 58.023.  SERVICE CLASSIFICATION.  On election, the services provided by an electing company are classified into two categories:
(1)  basic network services governed by Subchapter C;   and
(2)  nonbasic services governed by Subchapter E.
(3)  Renumbered (2) by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1212, Sec. 36, eff. Sept. 1, 1999
Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 166, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.  Amended by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1212, Sec. 36, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.
2023 Texas Statutes › Utilities Code › Title 2 - Public Utility Regulatory Act › Subtitle C - Telecommunications Utilities › Chapter 58 - Incentive Regulation › Subchapter B. Election of Incentive Regulation › Section 58.024. Service Reclassification

Sec. 58.024.  SERVICE RECLASSIFICATION.  (a)  The commission may reclassify a basic network service as a nonbasic service.
(b)  The commission shall establish criteria for determining whether a service should be reclassified.  The criteria must include consideration of the:
(1)  availability of the service from other providers;
(2)  effect of the reclassification on service subscribers;  and
(3)  nature of the service.
(c)  The commission may not reclassify a service until:
(1)  each competitive safeguard prescribed by Subchapters B-H, Chapter 60, is fully implemented;  or
(2)  for a company that serves more than five million access lines in this state, the date on which the Federal Communications Commission determines in accordance with 47 U.S.C. Section 271 that the company or any of its affiliates may enter the interLATA telecommunications market in this state.
(d)  The commission may reclassify a service subject to the following conditions:
(1)  the electing company must file a request for a service reclassification including information sufficient for the commission to perform a review and evaluation under Subsection (b);
(2)  the commission must grant or deny the request not later than the 60th day after the date the electing company files the request for service reclassification;  and
(3)  there is a rebuttable presumption that the request for service reclassification by the electing company should be granted if the commission finds that there is a competitive alternative provider serving customers through means other than total service resale.
Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 166, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.  Amended by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 62, Sec. 18.11, eff. Sept. 1, 1999;  Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1212, Sec. 37, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.
2023 Texas Statutes › Utilities Code › Title 2 - Public Utility Regulatory Act › Subtitle C - Telecommunications Utilities › Chapter 58 - Incentive Regulation › Subchapter B. Election of Incentive Regulation › Section 58.025. Complaint or Hearing

Sec. 58.025.  COMPLAINT OR HEARING.  (a)  An electing company is not, under any circumstances, subject to a complaint, hearing, or determination regarding the reasonableness of the company's:
(1)  rates;
(2)  overall revenues;
(3)  return on invested capital;  or
(4)  net income.
(b)  This section does not prohibit a complaint, hearing, or determination on an electing company's implementation and enforcement of a competitive safeguard required by Chapter 60.
Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 166, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.
2023 Texas Statutes › Utilities Code › Title 2 - Public Utility Regulatory Act › Subtitle C - Telecommunications Utilities › Chapter 58 - Incentive Regulation › Subchapter B. Election of Incentive Regulation › Section 58.026. Consumer Complaints Regarding Tariffs

Sec. 58.026.  CONSUMER COMPLAINTS REGARDING TARIFFS.  (a)  This chapter does not restrict:
(1)  a consumer's right to complain to the commission about the application of an ambiguous tariff;  or
(2)  the commission's right to determine:
(A)  the proper application of that tariff;  or
(B)  the proper rate if that tariff does not apply.
(b)  This section does not permit the commission to:
(1)  lower a tariff rate except as specifically provided by this title;
(2)  change the commission's interpretation of a tariff;  or
(3)  extend the application of a tariff to a new class of customers.
Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 166, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.
2023 Texas Statutes › Utilities Code › Title 2 - Public Utility Regulatory Act › Subtitle C - Telecommunications Utilities › Chapter 58 - Incentive Regulation › Subchapter B. Election of Incentive Regulation › Section 58.027. Consumer Complaints Regarding Services; Enforcement of Standards

Sec. 58.027.  CONSUMER COMPLAINTS REGARDING SERVICES;  ENFORCEMENT OF STANDARDS.  This chapter does not restrict:
(1)  a consumer's right to complain to the commission about quality of service;  or
(2)  the commission's right to enforce a quality of service standard.
Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 166, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.
2023 Texas Statutes › Utilities Code › Title 2 - Public Utility Regulatory Act › Subtitle C - Telecommunications Utilities › Chapter 58 - Incentive Regulation › Subchapter C. Basic Network Services › Section 58.051. Services Included

Sec. 58.051.  SERVICES INCLUDED.
(a)  Unless reclassified under Section 58.024, the following services are basic network services:
(1)  flat rate residential local exchange telephone service, including primary directory listings and the receipt of a directory and any applicable mileage or zone charges;
(2)  residential tone dialing service;
(3)  lifeline and tel-assistance service;
(4)  service connection for basic residential services;
(5)  direct inward dialing service for basic residential services;
(6)  private pay telephone access service;
(7)  call trap and trace service;
(8)  access for all residential and business end users to 911 service provided by a local authority and access to dual party relay service;
(9)  mandatory residential extended area service arrangements; and
(10)  mandatory residential extended metropolitan service or other mandatory residential toll-free calling arrangements.
(a-1)  Notwithstanding Subsection (a) and Section 58.151, basic network services include residential caller identification services if the customer to whom the service is billed is at least 65 years of age.
(b)  Electing companies shall offer each basic network service as a separately tariffed service in addition to any packages or other pricing flexibility offerings that include those basic network services.
(c)  At the election of the affected incumbent local exchange company, the price for basic network service shall also include the fees and charges for any mandatory extended area service arrangements, mandatory expanded toll-free calling plans, and any other service included in the definition of basic network service.
(d)  A nonpermanent expanded toll-free local calling service surcharge established by the commission to recover the costs of mandatory expanded toll-free local calling service:
(1)  is considered a part of basic network service;
(2)  may not be aggregated under Subsection (c); and
(3)  continues to be transitioned in accordance with commission orders and substantive rules.
Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 166, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.  Amended by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1212, Sec. 39, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.
Amended by:
Acts 2005, 79th Leg., 2nd C.S., Ch. 2 (S.B. 5), Sec. 18, eff. September 7, 2005.
2023 Texas Statutes › Utilities Code › Title 2 - Public Utility Regulatory Act › Subtitle C - Telecommunications Utilities › Chapter 58 - Incentive Regulation › Subchapter C. Basic Network Services › Section 58.052. Regulation of Services

Sec. 58.052.  REGULATION OF SERVICES.  (a)  Except as provided by Subchapter E, Chapter 52, basic network services of an electing company are regulated:
(1)  in accordance with this chapter;  and
(2)  to the extent not inconsistent with this chapter, in accordance with:
(A)  Subtitle A;
(B)  Chapters 51, 54, 60, 62, and 63;
(C)  Chapter 52, except for Subchapter F;
(D)  Subchapters C, D, and E, Chapter 53;
(E)  Chapter 55, except for:
(i)  Subchapters F and G;   and
(ii)  Sections 55.001, 55.002, 55.003, and 55.004;
(F)  Sections 53.001, 53.003, 53.004, 53.006, 53.065, 55.005, 55.006, 55.009, and 55.010;  and
(G)  commission rules and procedures.
(b)  The commission must approve a change in the terms of the tariff offering of a basic network service.
Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 166, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.
2023 Texas Statutes › Utilities Code › Title 2 - Public Utility Regulatory Act › Subtitle C - Telecommunications Utilities › Chapter 58 - Incentive Regulation › Subchapter C. Basic Network Services › Section 58.053. Investment Limitation on Service Standards

Sec. 58.053.  INVESTMENT LIMITATION ON SERVICE STANDARDS.  (a)  The commission may not raise a service standard applicable to the provision of local exchange telephone service by an electing company if the increased investment required to comply with the raised standard in any year exceeds 10 percent of the company's average annual intrastate additions in capital investment for the most recent five-year period.
(b)  In computing the average under Subsection (a), the company shall exclude:
(1)  extraordinary investments made during the five-year period;  and
(2)  investments required by Section 58.203.
Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 166, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.
2023 Texas Statutes › Utilities Code › Title 2 - Public Utility Regulatory Act › Subtitle C - Telecommunications Utilities › Chapter 58 - Incentive Regulation › Subchapter C. Basic Network Services › Section 58.054. Rates Capped

Sec. 58.054.  RATES CAPPED.  (a)  As a condition of election under this chapter, an electing company shall commit to not increasing a rate for a basic network service on or before the fourth anniversary of its election date.
(b)  The rates an electing company may charge on or before that fourth anniversary are the rates charged by the company on June 1, 1995, or, for a company that elects under this chapter after September 1, 1999, the rates charged on the date of its election, without regard to a proceeding pending under:
(1)  Section 15.001;
(2)  Subchapter D, Chapter 53;   or
(3)  Subchapter G, Chapter 2001, Government Code.
(c)  Notwithstanding Subsections (a) and (b), the cap on the rates for basic network services for a company electing under this chapter may not expire before September 1, 2005.
Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 166, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.  Amended by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1212, Sec. 40, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.
2023 Texas Statutes › Utilities Code › Title 2 - Public Utility Regulatory Act › Subtitle C - Telecommunications Utilities › Chapter 58 - Incentive Regulation › Subchapter C. Basic Network Services › Section 58.055. Rate Adjustment by Company

Sec. 58.055.  RATE ADJUSTMENT BY COMPANY.  (a)  An electing company may increase a rate for a basic network service during the election period prescribed by Section 58.054 only:
(1)  with commission approval that the proposed change is included in Section 58.056, 58.057, or 58.058;  and
(2)  as provided by Sections 58.056, 58.057, 58.058, and 58.059.
(b)  Notwithstanding Subchapter F, Chapter 60, an electing company may, on its own initiative, decrease a rate for a basic network service during the electing period.
(c)  The company may decrease the rate for a basic local telecommunications service to an amount above the service's appropriate cost.  If the company has been required to perform or has elected to perform a long run incremental cost study, the appropriate cost for the service is the service's long run incremental cost.
Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 166, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.  Amended by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1212, Sec. 40, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.
2023 Texas Statutes › Utilities Code › Title 2 - Public Utility Regulatory Act › Subtitle C - Telecommunications Utilities › Chapter 58 - Incentive Regulation › Subchapter C. Basic Network Services › Section 58.056. Rate Adjustment for Changes in Fcc Separations

Sec. 58.056.  RATE ADJUSTMENT FOR CHANGES IN FCC SEPARATIONS.  The commission, on motion of the electing company or on its own motion, shall proportionally adjust rates for services to reflect changes in Federal Communications Commission separations that affect intrastate net income by at least 10 percent.
Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 166, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.
2023 Texas Statutes › Utilities Code › Title 2 - Public Utility Regulatory Act › Subtitle C - Telecommunications Utilities › Chapter 58 - Incentive Regulation › Subchapter C. Basic Network Services › Section 58.057. Rate Adjustment for Certain Companies

Sec. 58.057.  RATE ADJUSTMENT FOR CERTAIN COMPANIES.  (a)  An electing company, after the 42nd month after the date the company elects incentive regulation under this chapter, may file an application for a commission review of the company's need for changes in the rates of its services if the company:
(1)  has fewer than five million access lines in this state;  and
(2)  is complying with:
(A)  the company's infrastructure commitment;
(B)  each requirement relating to quality of service;  and
(C)  each commission rule adopted under Chapter 60.
(b)  The company's application may request that the commission adjust rates, implement new pricing plans, restructure rates, or rebalance revenues between services to recognize changed market conditions and the effects of competitive entry.
(c)  The commission may use an index and a productivity offset in determining the requested changes.
(d)  The commission may not:
(1)  order an increase in the rate for residential local exchange telephone service that would cause the rate to increase by more than the United States Consumer Price Index in any 12-month period;  or
(2)  set the monthly rate for residential local exchange telephone service in an amount that exceeds the nationwide average rates for similar local exchange telephone services.
Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 166, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.
2023 Texas Statutes › Utilities Code › Title 2 - Public Utility Regulatory Act › Subtitle C - Telecommunications Utilities › Chapter 58 - Incentive Regulation › Subchapter C. Basic Network Services › Section 58.058. Rate Group Reclassification

Sec. 58.058.  RATE GROUP RECLASSIFICATION.  Notwithstanding Subchapter B, the commission, on request of the electing company, shall allow a rate group reclassification that results from access line growth.
Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 166, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.
2023 Texas Statutes › Utilities Code › Title 2 - Public Utility Regulatory Act › Subtitle C - Telecommunications Utilities › Chapter 58 - Incentive Regulation › Subchapter C. Basic Network Services › Section 58.060. Rate Adjustment After Cap Expiration

Sec. 58.060.  RATE ADJUSTMENT AFTER CAP EXPIRATION.  After the expiration of the period during which the rates for basic network services are capped as prescribed by Section 58.054, an electing company may increase a rate for a basic network service only:
(1)  with commission approval subject to this title;  and
(2)  to the extent consistent with achieving universal affordable service.
Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 166, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.  Amended by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1212, Sec. 41, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.
2023 Texas Statutes › Utilities Code › Title 2 - Public Utility Regulatory Act › Subtitle C - Telecommunications Utilities › Chapter 58 - Incentive Regulation › Subchapter C. Basic Network Services › Section 58.061. Effect on Certain Charges

Sec. 58.061.  EFFECT ON CERTAIN CHARGES.  This subchapter does not affect a charge permitted under:
(1)  Section 55.024;
(2)  Subchapter C, Chapter 55;   or
(3)  Subchapter B, Chapter 56.
Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 166, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.
2023 Texas Statutes › Utilities Code › Title 2 - Public Utility Regulatory Act › Subtitle C - Telecommunications Utilities › Chapter 58 - Incentive Regulation › Subchapter C. Basic Network Services › Section 58.063. Pricing and Packaging Flexibility

Sec. 58.063.  PRICING AND PACKAGING FLEXIBILITY.  (a)  Notwithstanding Section 58.052(b) or Subchapter F, Chapter 60, an electing company may exercise pricing flexibility for basic network services, including the packaging of basic network services with any other regulated or unregulated service or any service of an affiliate.  The company may exercise pricing flexibility in accordance with this section 10 days after providing an informational notice to the commission, to the office, and to any person who holds a certificate of operating authority in the electing company's certificated area or areas or who has an effective interconnection agreement with the electing company.
(b)  An electing company shall set the price of a package of services containing basic network services and nonbasic services at any level at or above the lesser of:
(1)  the sum of the long run incremental costs of any basic network services and nonbasic services contained in the package;  or
(2)  the sum of the tariffed prices of any basic network services contained in the package and the long run incremental costs of nonbasic services contained in the package.
(c)  Except as provided by Section 58.003, an electing company may flexibly price a package that includes a basic network service in any manner provided by Section 51.002(7).
Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1212, Sec. 42, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.
2023 Texas Statutes › Utilities Code › Title 2 - Public Utility Regulatory Act › Subtitle C - Telecommunications Utilities › Chapter 58 - Incentive Regulation › Subchapter E. Nonbasic Services › Section 58.152. Prices

Sec. 58.152.  PRICES.  (a)  An electing company may set the price for any nonbasic service at any level above the lesser of the:
(1)  service's long run incremental cost in accordance with the imputation rules prescribed by or under Subchapter D, Chapter 60;   or
(2)  price for the service in effect on September 1, 1999.
(b)  Subject to Section 51.004, an electing company may use pricing flexibility for a nonbasic service.  Pricing flexibility includes all pricing arrangements included in the definition of "pricing flexibility" prescribed by Section 51.002 and includes packages that include basic network services.
Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 166, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.  Amended by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1212, Sec. 43, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.
2023 Texas Statutes › Utilities Code › Title 2 - Public Utility Regulatory Act › Subtitle C - Telecommunications Utilities › Chapter 58 - Incentive Regulation › Subchapter E. Nonbasic Services › Section 58.156. Regulation of Services

Sec. 58.156.  REGULATION OF SERVICES.  Sections 55.001, 55.002, 55.003, and 55.004 do not apply to retail nonbasic services offered by an electing company or by a transitioning company, as defined by Section 65.002.
Added by Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 210 (S.B. 259), Sec. 3, eff. September 1, 2013.
2023 Texas Statutes › Utilities Code › Title 2 - Public Utility Regulatory Act › Subtitle C - Telecommunications Utilities › Chapter 58 - Incentive Regulation › Subchapter F. General Infrastructure Commitment › Section 58.201. Statement of State Goal

Sec. 58.201.  STATEMENT OF STATE GOAL.  (a)  It is the goal of this state to facilitate and promote the deployment of an advanced telecommunications infrastructure to spur economic development throughout this state.  This state should be among the leaders in achieving this objective.
(b)  The primary means of achieving this goal is through encouraging private investment in this state's telecommunications infrastructure by creating incentives for that investment and promoting the development of competition.
(c)  The best way to bring the benefits of an advanced telecommunications network infrastructure to communities in this state is through innovation and competition among all the state's communications providers.  Competition will provide residents of this state with a choice of telecommunications providers and will drive technology deployment, innovation, service quality, and cost-based prices as competing firms try to satisfy customer needs.
Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 166, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.
2023 Texas Statutes › Utilities Code › Title 2 - Public Utility Regulatory Act › Subtitle C - Telecommunications Utilities › Chapter 58 - Incentive Regulation › Subchapter F. General Infrastructure Commitment › Section 58.202. Policy Goals for Implementation

Sec. 58.202.  POLICY GOALS FOR IMPLEMENTATION.  In implementing this subchapter, the commission shall consider this state's policy goals to:
(1)  ensure the availability of the widest possible range of competitive choices in the provision of telecommunications services and facilities;
(2)  foster competition and rely on market forces where competition exists to determine the price, terms, and availability of service;
(3)  ensure the universal availability of basic local telecommunications services at reasonable rates;
(4)  encourage the continued development and deployment of advanced and reliable capabilities and services in telecommunications networks;
(5)  ensure interconnection and interoperability, based on uniform technical standards, among telecommunications carriers;
(6)  eliminate unnecessary administrative procedures that impose regulatory barriers to competition and ensure that competitive entry is fostered on an economically rational basis;
(7)  ensure consumer protection and protection against anticompetitive conduct;
(8)  regulate a provider of services only to the extent the provider has market power to control the price of services to customers;
(9)  encourage cost-based pricing of telecommunications services so that consumers pay a fair price for services they use;  and
(10)  subject to Subchapter C, develop appropriate quality of service standards for local exchange companies so as to place this state among the leaders in deployment of an advanced telecommunications infrastructure.
Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 166, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.
2023 Texas Statutes › Utilities Code › Title 2 - Public Utility Regulatory Act › Subtitle C - Telecommunications Utilities › Chapter 58 - Incentive Regulation › Subchapter F. General Infrastructure Commitment › Section 58.203. Infrastructure Goals of All Electing Companies

Sec. 58.203.  INFRASTRUCTURE GOALS OF ALL ELECTING COMPANIES.  (a)  Recognizing that it will take time for competition to develop in the local exchange market, the commission shall, in the absence of competition, ensure that each electing company achieves the infrastructure goals described by this section.
(b)  Not later than December 31, 1996, an electing company shall make available to each customer in the company's territory access to end-to-end digital connectivity.
(c)  Each new central office switch installed for an electing company after September 1, 1995, must be digital or technically equal to or superior to digital.  In addition, a switch installed after September 1, 1997, must, at a minimum, be capable of providing integrated services digital network (ISDN) services in a manner consistent with generally accepted national standards.
(d)  Not later than January 1, 2000, 50 percent of the local exchange access lines in each electing company's territory must be served by a digital central office switch.
(e)  Not later than January 1, 2000, an electing company's public switched network backbone interoffice facilities must employ broadband facilities capable of 45 or more megabits a second.  The company may employ facilities at a lower bandwidth if technology permits the delivery of video signal at the lower bandwidth at a quality level comparable to a television broadcast signal.  The requirements of this subsection do not apply to local loop facilities.
Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 166, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.
2023 Texas Statutes › Utilities Code › Title 2 - Public Utility Regulatory Act › Subtitle C - Telecommunications Utilities › Chapter 58 - Incentive Regulation › Subchapter F. General Infrastructure Commitment › Section 58.204. Additional Infrastructure Commitment of Certain Companies

Sec. 58.204.  ADDITIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITMENT OF CERTAIN COMPANIES.  (a)  Not later than December 31, 1998, an electing company serving more than one million but fewer than five million access lines shall provide digital switching central offices in all exchanges.
(b)  Not later than January 1, 2000, an electing company serving more than five million access lines shall:
(1)  install Common Channel Signaling 7 capability in each central office;  and
(2)  connect all of the company's serving central offices to their respective LATA tandem central offices with optical fiber or equivalent facilities.
Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 166, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.
2023 Texas Statutes › Utilities Code › Title 2 - Public Utility Regulatory Act › Subtitle C - Telecommunications Utilities › Chapter 58 - Incentive Regulation › Subchapter F. General Infrastructure Commitment › Section 58.205. Extension or Waiver of Infrastructure Requirements

Sec. 58.205.  EXTENSION OR WAIVER OF INFRASTRUCTURE REQUIREMENTS.  (a)  For an electing company that serves more than one million but fewer than two million access lines, the commission may temporarily extend a deadline prescribed by Section 58.203 if the company demonstrates that the extension is in the public interest.
(b)  For an electing company that serves fewer than one million access lines, the commission may waive a requirement prescribed by Section 58.203 if the company demonstrates that the investment is not viable economically.
(c)  Before granting a waiver under Subsection (b), the commission must consider the public benefits that would result from compliance with the requirement.
Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 166, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.
2023 Texas Statutes › Utilities Code › Title 2 - Public Utility Regulatory Act › Subtitle C - Telecommunications Utilities › Chapter 58 - Incentive Regulation › Subchapter F. General Infrastructure Commitment › Section 58.206. Implementation Costs; Increase in Rates and Universal Service Funds

Sec. 58.206.  IMPLEMENTATION COSTS;  INCREASE IN RATES AND UNIVERSAL SERVICE FUNDS.  The commission may not consider the cost of implementing Section 58.203 or 58.204 in determining whether an electing company is entitled to:
(1)  a rate increase under this chapter;  or
(2)  increased universal service funds under Subchapter B, Chapter 56.
Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 166, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.
2023 Texas Statutes › Utilities Code › Title 2 - Public Utility Regulatory Act › Subtitle C - Telecommunications Utilities › Chapter 58 - Incentive Regulation › Subchapter G. Infrastructure Commitment to Certain Entities › Section 58.251. Intent and Goal of Subchapter

Sec. 58.251.  INTENT AND GOAL OF SUBCHAPTER.  (a)  It is the intent of this subchapter to establish a telecommunications infrastructure that interconnects the public entities described in this subchapter.  The interconnection of these entities requires ubiquitous, broadband, digital services for voice, video, and data in the local serving area.  The ubiquitous nature of these connections must allow individual networks of these entities to interconnect and interoperate across the broadband digital service infrastructure.  The delivery of these advanced telecommunications services requires collaborations and partnerships of public, private, and commercial telecommunications service network providers.
(b)  The goal of this subchapter is to interconnect and aggregate the connections to every entity described in this subchapter, in the local serving area.  It is further intended that the infrastructure implemented under this subchapter connect each entity that requests a service offered under this subchapter.
Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 166, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.
2023 Texas Statutes › Utilities Code › Title 2 - Public Utility Regulatory Act › Subtitle C - Telecommunications Utilities › Chapter 58 - Incentive Regulation › Subchapter G. Infrastructure Commitment to Certain Entities › Section 58.252. Definitions

Sec. 58.252.  DEFINITIONS.  In this subchapter:
(1)  "Educational institution" has the meaning assigned by Section 57.021.
(1-a)  "Health center" means a federally qualified health center service delivery site.
(2)  "Library" means:
(A)  a public library or regional library system as those terms are defined by Section 441.122, Government Code;
(B)  a library operated by an institution of higher education or a school district; or
(C)  a library operated by a nonprofit corporation as defined by Section 441.221(3), Government Code.
(3)  "Private network services" means:
(A)  broadband digital service that is capable of providing transmission speeds of 45 megabits a second or greater for customer applications;  and
(B)  other customized or packaged network services.
(4)  "Telemedicine center" means a facility that is equipped to transmit, by video, data, or voice service, medical information for the diagnosis or treatment of illness or disease and that is:
(A)  owned or operated by a public or not-for-profit hospital, including an academic health center;  or
(B)  owned by one or more state-licensed health care practitioners and operated on a nonprofit basis.
Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 166, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.
Amended by:
Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 831 (H.B. 735), Sec. 11, eff. September 1, 2008.
Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 903 (S.B. 773), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2011.
2023 Texas Statutes › Utilities Code › Title 2 - Public Utility Regulatory Act › Subtitle C - Telecommunications Utilities › Chapter 58 - Incentive Regulation › Subchapter G. Infrastructure Commitment to Certain Entities › Section 58.253. Private Network Services for Certain Entities

Sec. 58.253.  PRIVATE NETWORK SERVICES FOR CERTAIN ENTITIES.  (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;
(5)  a legally constituted consortium or group of entities listed in this subsection; or
(6)  a health center.
(b)  Except as provided by Section 58.266, the electing company shall provide the private network services for the private and sole use of the receiving entity.
Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 166, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.  Amended by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 959, Sec. 9, eff. June 14, 2001;  Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1220, Sec. 4, eff. Sept. 1, 2001;  Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1255, Sec. 16, eff. June 15, 2001;  Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1350, Sec. 7, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.
Amended by:
Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 831 (H.B. 735), Sec. 12, eff. September 1, 2008.
Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 903 (S.B. 773), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2011.
2023 Texas Statutes › Utilities Code › Title 2 - Public Utility Regulatory Act › Subtitle C - Telecommunications Utilities › Chapter 58 - Incentive Regulation › Subchapter G. Infrastructure Commitment to Certain Entities › Section 58.254. Priorities

Sec. 58.254.  PRIORITIES.  An electing company shall give priority to serving:
(1)  rural areas;
(2)  areas designated as critically underserved either medically or educationally;  and
(3)  educational institutions with high percentages of economically disadvantaged students.
Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 166, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.
2023 Texas Statutes › Utilities Code › Title 2 - Public Utility Regulatory Act › Subtitle C - Telecommunications Utilities › Chapter 58 - Incentive Regulation › Subchapter G. Infrastructure Commitment to Certain Entities › Section 58.255. Contracts for Private Network Services

Sec. 58.255.  CONTRACTS FOR PRIVATE NETWORK SERVICES.  (a)  An electing company shall provide a private network service under a customer specific contract.
(b)  An electing company shall offer private network service contracts under this subchapter at 110 percent of the long run incremental cost of providing the private network service, including installation.
(c)  Commission approval of a contract is not required.
(d)  Subtitle D, Title 10, Government Code, does not apply to a contract entered into under this subchapter.
Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 166, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.
Amended by:
Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 21 (S.B. 983), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2011.
Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 98 (S.B. 980), Sec. 12, eff. September 1, 2011.
Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 903 (S.B. 773), Sec. 3, eff. September 1, 2011.
2023 Texas Statutes › Utilities Code › Title 2 - Public Utility Regulatory Act › Subtitle C - Telecommunications Utilities › Chapter 58 - Incentive Regulation › Subchapter G. Infrastructure Commitment to Certain Entities › Section 58.256. Preferred Rate Treatment Warranted

Sec. 58.256.  PREFERRED RATE TREATMENT WARRANTED.  An entity described by Section 58.253(a) warrants preferred rate treatment.  However, a rate charged for a service must cover the service's long run incremental cost.
Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 166, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.
2023 Texas Statutes › Utilities Code › Title 2 - Public Utility Regulatory Act › Subtitle C - Telecommunications Utilities › Chapter 58 - Incentive Regulation › Subchapter G. Infrastructure Commitment to Certain Entities › Section 58.257. Election of Rate Treatment

Sec. 58.257.  ELECTION OF RATE TREATMENT.  An educational institution or a library may elect the rate treatment provided by this subchapter or the discount provided by Subchapter B, Chapter 57.
Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 166, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.
2023 Texas Statutes › Utilities Code › Title 2 - Public Utility Regulatory Act › Subtitle C - Telecommunications Utilities › Chapter 58 - Incentive Regulation › Subchapter G. Infrastructure Commitment to Certain Entities › Section 58.258. Private Network Services Rates and Tariffs

Sec. 58.258.  PRIVATE NETWORK SERVICES RATES AND TARIFFS.  (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.  However, an electing company may increase a rate in accordance with the provisions of a customer specific contract.
(b)  An electing company may not charge an entity described by Section 58.253(a) a special construction or installation charge.
Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 166, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.
Amended by:
Acts 2005, 79th Leg., 2nd C.S., Ch. 2 (S.B. 5), Sec. 20, eff. September 7, 2005.
Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 903 (S.B. 773), Sec. 4, eff. September 1, 2011.
2023 Texas Statutes › Utilities Code › Title 2 - Public Utility Regulatory Act › Subtitle C - Telecommunications Utilities › Chapter 58 - Incentive Regulation › Subchapter G. Infrastructure Commitment to Certain Entities › Section 58.259. Tariff Rate for Certain Intralata Service

Sec. 58.259.  TARIFF RATE FOR CERTAIN INTRALATA SERVICE.  (a)  An electing company shall file a flat monthly tariff rate for point-to-point intraLATA 1.544 megabits a second service for the entities described by Section 58.253(a).
(b)  The tariff rate may not be:
(1)  distance sensitive; or
(2)  higher than 110 percent of the service's statewide average long run incremental cost, including installation.
Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 166, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.
Amended by:
Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 903 (S.B. 773), Sec. 5, eff. September 1, 2011.
2023 Texas Statutes › Utilities Code › Title 2 - Public Utility Regulatory Act › Subtitle C - Telecommunications Utilities › Chapter 58 - Incentive Regulation › Subchapter G. Infrastructure Commitment to Certain Entities › Section 58.260. Point-to-Point 45 Megabits a Second Intralata Service

Sec. 58.260.  POINT-TO-POINT 45 MEGABITS A SECOND INTRALATA SERVICE.  (a)  On request of an entity described by Section 58.253(a), an electing company shall provide to the entity point-to-point 45 megabits a second intraLATA services.
(b)  The service must be provided under a customer specific contract except that any interoffice portion of the service must be recovered on a statewide average basis that is not distance sensitive.
(c)  The rate for the service may not be higher than 110 percent of the service's long run incremental cost, including installation.
Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 166, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.
Amended by:
Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 903 (S.B. 773), Sec. 6, eff. September 1, 2011.
2023 Texas Statutes › Utilities Code › Title 2 - Public Utility Regulatory Act › Subtitle C - Telecommunications Utilities › Chapter 58 - Incentive Regulation › Subchapter G. Infrastructure Commitment to Certain Entities › Section 58.261. Broadband Digital Special Access Service

Sec. 58.261.  BROADBAND DIGITAL SPECIAL ACCESS SERVICE.  (a)  An electing company shall provide to an entity described by Section 58.253(a) broadband digital special access service to interexchange carriers.
(b)  The rate for the service may not be higher than 110 percent of the service's long run incremental cost, including installation.
Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 166, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.
Amended by:
Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 903 (S.B. 773), Sec. 7, eff. September 1, 2011.
2023 Texas Statutes › Utilities Code › Title 2 - Public Utility Regulatory Act › Subtitle C - Telecommunications Utilities › Chapter 58 - Incentive Regulation › Subchapter G. Infrastructure Commitment to Certain Entities › Section 58.262. Expanded Interconnection

Sec. 58.262.  EXPANDED INTERCONNECTION.  (a)  On request of an entity described by Section 58.253(a), an electing company shall provide to the entity expanded interconnection (virtual colocation).
(b)  The company shall provide expanded interconnection:
(1)  in accordance with commission rules adopted under Subchapter H, Chapter 60;   and
(2)  at 105 percent of long run incremental cost, including installation.
(c)  An entity described by Section 58.253(a) is not required to qualify for expanded interconnection if expanded interconnection is ordered by the commission.
Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 166, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.
2023 Texas Statutes › Utilities Code › Title 2 - Public Utility Regulatory Act › Subtitle C - Telecommunications Utilities › Chapter 58 - Incentive Regulation › Subchapter G. Infrastructure Commitment to Certain Entities › Section 58.263. Internet Access

Sec. 58.263.  INTERNET ACCESS.  (a)  This section applies only to an educational institution or library in an exchange of an electing company serving more than five million access lines in which toll-free access to the Internet is not available.
(b)  On request of the educational institution or library, the electing company shall make available a toll-free connection or toll-free dialing arrangement that the institution or library may use to obtain access to the Internet in an exchange in which toll-free access to the Internet is available.
(c)  The electing company shall provide the connection or dialing arrangement at no charge to the educational institution or library until Internet access becomes available in the exchange of the requesting educational institution or library.
(d)  The electing company is not required to arrange for Internet access or to pay Internet charges for the requesting educational institution or library.
Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 166, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.
2023 Texas Statutes › Utilities Code › Title 2 - Public Utility Regulatory Act › Subtitle C - Telecommunications Utilities › Chapter 58 - Incentive Regulation › Subchapter G. Infrastructure Commitment to Certain Entities › Section 58.264. Complaints Limited

Sec. 58.264.  COMPLAINTS LIMITED.  (a)  Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, an electing company is subject to a complaint under this subchapter only by an entity described by Section 58.253(a).
(b)  An entity may only complain that the company provided a private network service under this subchapter preferentially to a similarly situated customer.
Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 166, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.
2023 Texas Statutes › Utilities Code › Title 2 - Public Utility Regulatory Act › Subtitle C - Telecommunications Utilities › Chapter 58 - Incentive Regulation › Subchapter G. Infrastructure Commitment to Certain Entities › Section 58.265. Interconnection of Network Services

Sec. 58.265.  INTERCONNECTION OF NETWORK SERVICES.  The private network services provided under this subchapter may be interconnected with other similar networks for distance learning, telemedicine, and information-sharing purposes.
Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 166, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.
2023 Texas Statutes › Utilities Code › Title 2 - Public Utility Regulatory Act › Subtitle C - Telecommunications Utilities › Chapter 58 - Incentive Regulation › Subchapter G. Infrastructure Commitment to Certain Entities › Section 58.266. Sharing or Resale of Network Services

Sec. 58.266.  SHARING OR RESALE OF NETWORK SERVICES.  (a)  A private network service may be used by and shared among the entities described by Section 58.253(a) but may not be otherwise shared or resold to other customers.
(b)  A service provided under this subchapter may not be required to be resold to another customer at a rate provided by this subchapter.
(c)  This section does not prohibit an otherwise permitted resale of another service that an electing company may offer through the use of the same facilities used to provide a private network service offered under this subchapter.
Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 166, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.
2023 Texas Statutes › Utilities Code › Title 2 - Public Utility Regulatory Act › Subtitle C - Telecommunications Utilities › Chapter 58 - Incentive Regulation › Subchapter G. Infrastructure Commitment to Certain Entities › Section 58.267. Implementation Costs; Increase in Rates and Universal Service Funds

Sec. 58.267.  IMPLEMENTATION COSTS;  INCREASE IN RATES AND UNIVERSAL SERVICE FUNDS.  The commission may not consider the cost of implementing this subchapter in determining whether an electing company is entitled to:
(1)  a rate increase under this chapter;  or
(2)  increased universal service funds under Subchapter B, Chapter 56.
Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 166, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.
2023 Texas Statutes › Utilities Code › Title 2 - Public Utility Regulatory Act › Subtitle C - Telecommunications Utilities › Chapter 58 - Incentive Regulation › Subchapter G. Infrastructure Commitment to Certain Entities › Section 58.268. Continuation of Obligation

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, regardless of:
(1)  the date the company elected under this chapter; or
(2)  any action taken in relation to that company under Chapter 65.
Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., 2nd C.S., Ch. 2 (S.B. 5), Sec. 21, eff. September 7, 2005.
Amended by:
Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 903 (S.B. 773), Sec. 8, eff. September 1, 2011.
2023 Texas Statutes › Utilities Code › Title 2 - Public Utility Regulatory Act › Subtitle C - Telecommunications Utilities › Chapter 58 - Incentive Regulation › Subchapter H. Switched Access Services › Section 58.301. Switched Access Rate Reduction

Sec. 58.301.  SWITCHED ACCESS RATE REDUCTION.  An electing company with greater than five million access lines in this state shall reduce its switched access rates on a combined originating and terminating basis as follows:
(1)  the electing company shall reduce switched access rates on a combined originating and terminating basis in effect on September 1, 1999, by one cent a minute;  and
(2)  the electing company shall reduce switched access rates on a combined originating and terminating basis by an additional two cents a minute on the earlier of:
(A)  July 1, 2000;  or
(B)  the date the electing company, or its affiliate formed in compliance with 47 U.S.C. Section 272, as amended, actually begins providing interLATA services in this state in accordance with the authorization required by 47 U.S.C. Section 271, as amended.
Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1212, Sec. 45, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.