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Texas Bill Would Make Unauthorized Switch in Retail Electric Provider A Criminal Offense

Bill Would Require Signed, Written Statement From Customer For Service "Initiation" With Retail Provider

February 21, 2017

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Copyright 2010-17 EnergyChoiceMatters.com
Reporting by Paul Ring • ring@energychoicematters.com

HB 1475 has been filed with the Texas legislature which would make the unauthorized initiation of service with a different retail electric provider a criminal offense

Specifically, HB 1475 would provide that, "A person who is not a customer of a retail electric provider at an address may not discontinue the service provided by the retail electric provider at that address and initiate service with a different retail electric provider at that address unless the customer for that address consents."

An offense under the above section would be a Class C misdemeanor, HB 1475 provides

Furthermore, HB 1475 provides that a retail electric provider may not initiate service for a customer at an address unless:

(1) the retail electric provider has determined that no other retail electric provider is currently providing service for a different customer at that address; or

(2) if another retail electric provider is currently providing service for a different customer at that address, the retail electric provider receives a written statement signed by that customer approving the service initiation.

For a service at an address that is a rental property the release required by Subsection (2) above may be given by the owner or operator of the property.

HB 1475 would provide that a retail electric provider may not refuse a request for information made by another retail electric provider for the purposes of complying with the bill's provisions.

HB 1475 is authored by Rep. Yvonne Davis

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