The bill, S.B. No. 1513, aims to establish a program to provide assistance to low-income retail electric customers in Texas. It amends Section 17.007 of the Utilities Code to require the Health and Human Services Commission to assist in developing an automatic process for identifying low-income customers, enabling retail electric providers and telecommunications utilities to offer various forms of assistance, including discounts and bill payment help. Additionally, it introduces a new Section 39.9035, which creates an income-based assistance fund to support programs aimed at assisting low-income electric customers, including discounts and one-time bill payment assistance for critical care residential customers facing service disconnection.

The bill also modifies the applicability of certain sections of the Utilities Code, specifying that the new assistance fund and related provisions apply only to municipally owned utilities and electric cooperatives that offer customer choice. It outlines the funding sources for the assistance fund, including legislative appropriations and donations, and establishes priorities for how the funds can be used. The commission is tasked with adopting rules for implementing these programs, ensuring that eligible customers are identified and enrolled effectively. 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 17, Utilities Code 39, Utilities Code 41, Utilities Code 40)