HBA-SEP H.B. 1351 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 1351
By: Brimer
State Affairs
6/13/2001
Enrolled



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Prior to the 77th Legislature, pay phone operators were required to pay the
same Texas universal service fund (TUSF) charges as other phone carriers.
However, pay phone operators were not able to pass these charges along to
customers on a monthly basis like other telecommunication operators.  House
Bill 1351 prohibits the Public Utility Commission from assessing, on pay
telephone service, the uniform charge that funds TUSF. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 1351 amends the Utilities Code to prohibit the Public Utility
Commission of Texas from assessing, on pay telephone service, the uniform
charge that funds the Texas universal service fund. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.