H.B. No. 1359 aims to establish a program to assist low-income retail electric customers in Texas by creating an income-based assistance fund. The bill amends several sections of the Utilities Code, particularly Section 17.007, which now includes provisions for the Health and Human Services Commission to develop an automatic process for identifying low-income customers and implementing the new assistance fund. The fund will be used for various purposes, including bill payment assistance during extreme weather emergencies, customer education, and administrative expenses related to the program. The bill also mandates that the commission adopt rules for eligibility criteria and enrollment methods for customers seeking assistance.

Additionally, the bill modifies the applicability of certain sections of the Utilities Code, specifically excluding municipally owned utilities and electric cooperatives from some provisions while including new sections related to the assistance fund. Notably, it introduces Section 39.9035, which outlines the structure and funding sources for the income-based assistance fund, including legislative appropriations and donations. The bill is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Utilities Code 17.007, Utilities Code 39.002, Utilities Code 40.001, Utilities Code 41.001 (Utilities Code 39, Utilities Code 40, Utilities Code 41, Utilities Code 17)
House Committee Report: Utilities Code 17.007, Utilities Code 39.002, Utilities Code 39.402, Utilities Code 39.452, Utilities Code 39.454, Utilities Code 39.552, Utilities Code 40.001, Utilities Code 41.001 (Utilities Code 39, Utilities Code 40, Utilities Code 41, Utilities Code 17)
Engrossed: Utilities Code 17.007, Utilities Code 39.002, Utilities Code 39.402, Utilities Code 39.452, Utilities Code 39.454, Utilities Code 39.552, Utilities Code 40.001, Utilities Code 41.001 (Utilities Code 39, Utilities Code 40, Utilities Code 41, Utilities Code 17)