S.B. No. 981

	AN ACT
	relating to electric utility bill payment assistance programs for
	certain veterans burned in combat.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
	SECTION 1.  Section 36.061, Utilities Code, is amended by
	adding Subsection (c) to read as follows:
	(c)  An electric utility located in a portion of this state
	not subject to retail competition may establish a bill payment
	assistance program for a customer who is a military veteran who a
	medical doctor certifies has a significantly decreased ability to
	regulate the individual's body temperature because of severe burns
	received in combat. A regulatory authority shall allow as a cost or
	expense a cost or expense of the bill payment assistance program.
	The electric utility is entitled to:
	(1)  fully recover all costs and expenses related to
	the bill payment assistance program;
	(2)  defer each cost or expense related to the bill
	payment assistance program not explicitly included in base rates;
	and
	(3)  apply carrying charges at the utility's weighted
	average cost of capital to the extent related to the bill payment
	assistance program.
	SECTION 2.  Subchapter H, Chapter 39, Utilities Code, is
	amended by adding Section 39.359 to read as follows:
	Sec. 39.359.  BILL PAYMENT ASSISTANCE FOR BURNED VETERANS.
	(a)  A retail electric provider may establish a bill payment
	assistance program for a customer who is a military veteran who a
	medical doctor certifies has a significantly decreased ability to
	regulate the individual's body temperature because of severe burns
	received in combat.
	(b)  The commission shall compile a list of programs
	described by Subsection (a) that are available from retail electric
	providers. The commission shall publish the list on the
	commission's Internet website and the office shall provide on the
	office's Internet website a link to the list.
	(c)  A retail electric provider shall provide to the
	commission information necessary to compile the list in the form,
	manner, and frequency the commission by rule requires.
	SECTION 3.  Chapter 182, Utilities Code, is amended by
	adding Subchapter D to read as follows:
	SUBCHAPTER D.  BILL PAYMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR BURNED VETERANS
	Sec. 182.201.  DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter, "electric
	cooperative" and "municipally owned utility" have the meanings
	assigned by Section 11.003.
	Sec. 182.202.  BURNED VETERANS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. (a)  The
	board of directors of an electric cooperative or the governing body
	of a municipally owned utility may establish a bill payment
	assistance program for a customer who is a military veteran who a
	medical doctor certifies has a significantly decreased ability to
	regulate the individual's body temperature because of severe burns
	received in combat.
	(b)  The costs of a bill payment assistance program
	established under Subsection (a) are considered a necessary
	operations expense.
	(c)  The board of directors of an electric cooperative or the
	governing body of a municipally owned utility may determine the
	method to fund a bill payment assistance program established under
	Subsection (a).
	SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
	a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
	provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
	Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
	Act takes effect September 1, 2013.
	______________________________	______________________________
	President of the Senate	Speaker of the House
	I hereby certify that S.B. No. 981 passed the Senate on
	April 4, 2013, by the following vote:  Yeas 30, Nays 0.
	______________________________
	Secretary of the Senate
	I hereby certify that S.B. No. 981 passed the House on
	May 20, 2013, by the following vote:  Yeas 144, Nays 2, one
	present not voting.
	______________________________
	Chief Clerk of the House
	Approved:
	______________________________
	Date
	______________________________
	Governor