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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the period of eligibility for support from the |
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universal service plan for certain providers. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 56.023(p), Utilities Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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(p) If an incumbent local exchange company or cooperative is |
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ineligible for support under a plan established under Section |
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56.021(1) for services in an exchange, a plan established under |
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Section 56.021(1) may not provide support to any other |
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telecommunications providers for services in that exchange, except |
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that an eligible telecommunications provider that is receiving |
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support under Section 56.021(1)(A) in that exchange shall continue |
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to receive such support until the later of December 31, 2017, or the |
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second anniversary of [for a 24-month period following] the date |
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the incumbent local exchange provider or cooperative ceases |
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receiving support in that exchange. The support received by the |
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eligible telecommunications provider during that [the 24-month] |
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period shall be at the same monthly per line support level in effect |
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for that exchange as of the date the incumbent local exchange |
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provider or cooperative ceases receiving funding in that exchange. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2015. |