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