H.B. No. 2295

	AN ACT
	relating to the administration of the universal service fund.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
	SECTION 1.  Section 56.021, Utilities Code, is amended to
	read as follows:
	Sec. 56.021.  UNIVERSAL SERVICE FUND ESTABLISHED. The
	commission shall adopt and enforce rules requiring local exchange
	companies to establish a universal service fund to:
	(1)  assist telecommunications providers in providing
	basic local telecommunications service at reasonable rates in high
	cost rural areas under two plans:
	(A)  the Texas High Cost Universal Service Plan
	(16 T.A.C. Section 26.403); and
	(B)  the Small and Rural Incumbent Local Exchange
	Company Universal Service Plan (16 T.A.C. Section 26.404);
	(2)  reimburse the telecommunications carrier that
	provides the statewide telecommunications relay access service
	under Subchapter D;
	(3)  finance the specialized telecommunications
	assistance program established under Subchapter E;
	(4)  reimburse the department, the Texas Commission for
	the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and the commission for costs incurred
	in implementing this chapter and Chapter 57;
	(5)  reimburse a telecommunications carrier providing
	lifeline service as provided by 47 C.F.R. Part 54, Subpart E, as
	amended;
	(6)  finance the implementation and administration of
	an integrated eligibility process created under Section 17.007 for
	customer service discounts relating to telecommunications
	services, including outreach expenses the commission determines
	are reasonable and necessary;
	(7)  reimburse a designated provider under Subchapter
	F;
	(8)  reimburse a successor utility under Subchapter G;
	and
	(9)  finance the program established under Subchapter
	H.
	SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
	a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
	provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
	Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
	Act takes effect September 1, 2011.
	______________________________	______________________________
	President of the Senate	Speaker of the House
	I certify that H.B. No. 2295 was passed by the House on May 5,
	2011, by the following vote:  Yeas 146, Nays 0, 1 present, not
	voting.
	______________________________
	Chief Clerk of the House
	I certify that H.B. No. 2295 was passed by the Senate on May
	20, 2011, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.
	______________________________
	Secretary of the Senate
	APPROVED:  _____________________
	Date
	_____________________
	Governor