The bill, S.B. No. 1513, aims to establish a program to assist 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 develop 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, creating an income-based assistance fund that will be used to support programs for low-income electric customers, including discounts and one-time bill payment assistance for critical care residential customers facing service disconnection.

The bill also clarifies the applicability of certain sections of the Utilities Code, specifying that some provisions apply only to municipally owned utilities or electric cooperatives that offer customer choice. It establishes eligibility criteria for the discount program, mandates automatic enrollment for identified low-income customers, and prohibits retail electric providers from charging fees for discounts. 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 41, Utilities Code 39, Utilities Code 17, Utilities Code 40)