85R7781 JXC-D
	By: Davis of Dallas	H.B. No. 1475

	A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
	AN ACT
	relating to electricity service provided by retail electric
	providers; creating a criminal offense.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
	SECTION 1.  Section 15.030(b), Utilities Code, is amended to
	read as follows:
	(b)  This section does not apply to an offense described by
	Section 17.010 or 55.138.
	SECTION 2.  Subchapter A, Chapter 17, Utilities Code, is
	amended by adding Section 17.010 to read as follows:
	Sec. 17.010.  UNAUTHORIZED SERVICE CHANGE; OFFENSE.  (a)  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.
	(b)  An offense under this section is a Class C misdemeanor.
	SECTION 3.  Subchapter Z, Chapter 39, Utilities Code, is
	amended by adding Section 39.917 to read as follows:
	Sec. 39.917.  SERVICE INITIATION. (a)  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.
	(b)  For a service at an address that is a rental property,
	the release required by Subsection (a)(2) may be given by the owner
	or operator of the property.
	(c)  A retail electric provider may not refuse a request for
	information made by another retail electric provider for the
	purposes of complying with this section.
	SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.