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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the notice of contract expiration provided to retail |
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electric customers by retail electric providers. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 39.112(b), Utilities Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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(b) A retail electric provider shall provide a residential |
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customer who has a fixed rate product with at least one written |
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notice of the date the fixed rate product will expire. The notice |
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must: |
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(1) be sent to the customer's billing address by mail |
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at least 30, but not more than 60, days preceding the date the |
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contract will expire; |
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(2) be sent to the customer's e-mail address, if |
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available to the provider and if the customer has agreed to receive |
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notices electronically, at least 30, but not more than 60, days |
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preceding the date the contract will expire; |
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(3) include on the outside of the envelope in which the |
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notice is sent, a statement that reads: "Contract Expiration |
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Notice. See Enclosed."; |
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(4) if included with a customer's bill, be printed on a |
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separate page; [and] |
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(5) include a description of any fees or charges |
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associated with the early termination of the customer's fixed rate |
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product; and |
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(6) include, in 14-point boldfaced type or 14-point |
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uppercase letters, a notice that reads as follows: "YOUR CONTRACT |
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FOR FIXED RATE ELECTRICITY EXPIRES SOON. YOUR RATE MAY CHANGE WHEN |
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THE CONTRACT EXPIRES."[.] |
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SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies only |
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to a notice sent on or after the effective date of this Act. A notice |
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sent before the effective date of this Act is governed by the law in |
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effect at that time. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015. |