Texas Staff File Draft to Implement List of REPs Offering Bill Assistance to Military Veterans with Severe Burns

Staff of the Public Utility Commission of Texas have filed a draft proposal for publication to implement SB 981, which requires the PUCT to post a list of REPs offering bill payment assistance programs to customers who are military veterans with a significantly decreased ability to regulate body temperature because of severe burns received in combat.

Under SB 981, a REP's offering of such a bill payment assistance program is voluntary.

However, to the extent the REP does offer such a program to veterans severely burned in combat, Staff's draft would require REPs to inform customers contacting a REP, who indicate an inability to pay a bill or a need for assistance with bill payment, of the REP's bill payment assistance program for veterans severely burned in combat and of the eligibility requirements and procedures for applying for the program, in addition to the other programs which the REP is currently required to communicate to the customer.

Under the draft, to facilitate the Commission's posting of bill payment assistance programs on the PUCT website, the REP would be required to provide to the Commission information on its bill payment assistance program for veterans severely burned in combat, and to include that information in the REP's annual report pursuant to Subst. R. 25.107.

Specifically, under the draft:

(A) The annual report shall contain the number of ESI IDs served under this bill payment assistance program during the annual report period.

(B) Information shall include the REP's name, the REP's certification number, and a toll free telephone number and website address where customers can obtain additional information on the REP's bill payment assistance for veterans severely burned in combat.

Project 41613