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AN ACT
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relating to the administration of the universal service fund. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 56.021, Utilities Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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Sec. 56.021. UNIVERSAL SERVICE FUND ESTABLISHED. The |
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commission shall adopt and enforce rules requiring local exchange |
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companies to establish a universal service fund to: |
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(1) assist telecommunications providers in providing |
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basic local telecommunications service at reasonable rates in high |
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cost rural areas under two plans: |
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(A) the Texas High Cost Universal Service Plan |
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(16 T.A.C. Section 26.403); and |
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(B) the Small and Rural Incumbent Local Exchange |
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Company Universal Service Plan (16 T.A.C. Section 26.404); |
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(2) reimburse the telecommunications carrier that |
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provides the statewide telecommunications relay access service |
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under Subchapter D; |
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(3) finance the specialized telecommunications |
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assistance program established under Subchapter E; |
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(4) reimburse the department, the Texas Commission for |
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the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and the commission for costs incurred |
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in implementing this chapter and Chapter 57; |
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(5) reimburse a telecommunications carrier providing |
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lifeline service as provided by 47 C.F.R. Part 54, Subpart E, as |
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amended; |
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(6) finance the implementation and administration of |
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an integrated eligibility process created under Section 17.007 for |
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customer service discounts relating to telecommunications |
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services, including outreach expenses the commission determines |
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are reasonable and necessary; |
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(7) reimburse a designated provider under Subchapter |
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F; |
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(8) reimburse a successor utility under Subchapter G; |
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and |
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(9) finance the program established under Subchapter |
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H. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2011. |
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______________________________ |
______________________________ |
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President of the Senate |
Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.B. No. 2295 was passed by the House on May 5, |
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2011, by the following vote: Yeas 146, Nays 0, 1 present, not |
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voting. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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I certify that H.B. No. 2295 was passed by the Senate on May |
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20, 2011, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0. |
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______________________________ |
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Secretary of the Senate |
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APPROVED: _____________________ |
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Date |
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_____________________ |
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Governor |