HBA-TYH S.B. 1020 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisS.B. 1020 By: Shapleigh State Affairs 4/27/1999 Engrossed BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Texas currently has a large number of consumers who purchase "prepaid calling cards" which give consumers access to telephone services up to the dollar amount on the card. However, there is often no way for the consumer to determine the per-minute rate, minimum rate, or per-call fees associated with the card. S.B. 1020 authorizes the Public Utility Commission of Texas (commission), by rule, to prescribe standards regarding the information that a prepaid calling card company is required to disclose to customers in relation to the rates and terms of service for prepaid calling services offered in this state. This bill also provides that a violation of a rule adopted by the commission is subject to enforcement. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that rulemaking authority is expressly delegated to the Public Utility Commission of Texas in SECTION 1 (Section 55.253, Utilities Code) of this bill. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter J, Chapter 55, Utilities Code, by adding Section 55.253, as follows: Sec. 55.253. TELEPHONE PREPAID CALLING SERVICES. (a) Defines "prepaid calling card company" and "prepaid calling service" in this section. (b) Authorizes the Public Utility Commission of Texas (commission), by rule, to prescribe standards regarding the information that a prepaid calling card company is required to disclose to customers in relation to the rates and terms of service for prepaid calling services offered in this state. (c) Sets forth that the commission is granted all necessary jurisdiction to adopt rules under this section and to enforce those rules and this section. (d) Provides that a violation of a rule adopted under this chapter is subject to enforcement under Subchapter B (Enforcement and Penalties), Chapter 15 (Judicial Review, Enforcement, and Penalties), Utilities Code. SECTION 2.Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage.