This website will be unavailable from Friday, April 26, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. through Monday, April 29, 2024 at 7:00 a.m. due to data center maintenance.

 
 
  S.B. No. 773
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to telecommunications service discounts for educational
  institutions, libraries, hospitals, and telemedicine centers.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 58.252, Utilities Code, is amended by
  adding Subdivision (1-a) to read as follows:
               (1-a)  "Health center" means a federally qualified
  health center service delivery site.
         SECTION 2.  Subsection (a), Section 58.253, Utilities Code,
  is amended to read as follows:
         (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; [or]
               (5)  a legally constituted consortium or group of
  entities listed in this subsection; or
               (6)  a health center.
         SECTION 3.  Subsection (b), Section 58.255, Utilities Code,
  is amended to read as follows:
         (b)  An electing company shall offer private network service
  contracts under this subchapter at 110 [105] percent of the long run
  incremental cost of providing the private network service,
  including installation.
         SECTION 4.  Subsection (a), Section 58.258, Utilities Code,
  is amended to read as follows:
         (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 [2012].
  However, an electing company may increase a rate in accordance with
  the provisions of a customer specific contract.
         SECTION 5.  Subsection (b), Section 58.259, Utilities Code,
  is amended to read as follows:
         (b)  The tariff rate may not be:
               (1)  distance sensitive; or
               (2)  higher than 110 [105] percent of the service's
  statewide average long run incremental cost, including
  installation.
         SECTION 6.  Subsection (c), Section 58.260, Utilities Code,
  is amended to read as follows:
         (c)  The rate for the service may not be higher than 110 [105]
  percent of the service's long run incremental cost, including
  installation.
         SECTION 7.  Subsection (b), Section 58.261, Utilities Code,
  is amended to read as follows:
         (b)  The rate for the service may not be higher than 110 [105]
  percent of the service's long run incremental cost, including
  installation.
         SECTION 8.  Section 58.268, Utilities Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         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
  [2012], regardless of:
               (1)  the date the company elected under this chapter;
  or
               (2)  any action taken in relation to that company under
  Chapter 65.
         SECTION 9.  Subsection (a), Section 59.077, Utilities Code,
  is amended to read as follows:
         (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 [2012].
         SECTION 10.  Section 59.083, Utilities Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         Sec. 59.083.  CONTINUATION OF OBLIGATION. Notwithstanding
  any other provision of this title, an electing company shall
  continue to comply with this subchapter until January 1, 2016
  [2012], regardless of:
               (1)  the date the company elected under this chapter;
  or
               (2)  any action taken in relation to that company under
  Chapter 65.
         SECTION 11.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2011.
 
 
 
 
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
         I hereby certify that S.B. No. 773 passed the Senate on
  April 19, 2011, by the following vote:  Yeas 28, Nays 3;
  May 25, 2011, Senate refused to concur in House amendments and
  requested appointment of Conference Committee; May 27, 2011, House
  granted request of the Senate; May 28, 2011, Senate adopted
  Conference Committee Report by the following vote:  Yeas 27,
  Nays 4.
 
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate    
 
         I hereby certify that S.B. No. 773 passed the House, with
  amendments, on May 24, 2011, by the following vote:  Yeas 111,
  Nays 28, two present not voting; May 27, 2011, House granted
  request of the Senate for appointment of Conference Committee;
  May 28, 2011, House adopted Conference Committee Report by the
  following vote:  Yeas 109, Nays 37, two present not voting.
 
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
 
 
  Approved:
 
  ______________________________ 
             Date
 
 
  ______________________________ 
            Governor