Tex. Utils. Code Section 55.013
Limitations on Discontinuance of Basic Local Telecommunications Service

(a)

A provider of basic local telecommunications service may not discontinue that service because of nonpayment by a residential customer of charges for long distance service. Payment shall first be allocated to basic local telecommunications service.

(b)

For purposes of allocating payment in this section, if the provider of basic local telecommunications service bundles its basic local telecommunications service with long distance service or any other service and provides a discount for the basic local telecommunications service because of that bundling, the rate of basic local telecommunications service shall be the rate the provider charges for stand-alone basic local telecommunications service.

(c)

Notwithstanding Subsection (a), the commission shall adopt and implement rules, not later than January 1, 2000, to prevent customer abuse of the protections afforded by this section. The rules must include:

(1)

provisions requiring a provider of basic local telecommunications service to offer and implement toll blocking capability to limit a customer’s ability to incur additional charges for long distance services after nonpayment for long distance services; and

(2)

provisions regarding fraudulent activity in response to which a provider may discontinue a residential customer’s basic local telecommunications service.

(d)

Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, the commission has all jurisdiction necessary to establish a maximum price that an incumbent local exchange company may charge a long distance service provider to initiate the toll blocking capability required to be offered under the rules adopted under Subsection (c). The maximum price established under this subsection shall be observed by all providers of basic local telecommunications service in the incumbent local exchange company’s certificated service area. Notwithstanding Sections 52.102 (Limited Regulatory Authority) and 52.152 (Limited Regulatory Authority), the commission has all jurisdiction necessary to enforce this section.

(e)

A provider of basic local exchange telecommunications service shall comply with the requirements of this section not later than March 1, 2000.
Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1212, Sec. 19, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.

Source: Section 55.013 — Limitations on Discontinuance of Basic Local Telecommunications Service, https://statutes.­capitol.­texas.­gov/Docs/UT/htm/UT.­55.­htm#55.­013 (accessed May 4, 2024).

55.001
General Standard 55.002
Commission Authority Concerning Standards 55.003
Rule or Standard 55.004
Local Exchange Company Rule or Practice Change 55.005
Unreasonable Preference or Prejudice Concerning Service Prohibited 55.006
Discrimination and Restriction on Competition 55.007
Minimum Services 55.008
Improvements in Service 55.009
Intralata Calls 55.010
Billing for Service to the State 55.011
Notice of Identity of Interexchange Carrier 55.013
Limitations on Discontinuance of Basic Local Telecommunications Service 55.014
Provision of Advanced Telecommunications Services 55.015
Lifeline Service 55.016
Telecommunications Billing 55.017
Identification Required 55.021
Extended Area Service 55.022
Mandatory Service 55.023
Optional Extended Area Service 55.024
Charge for Extended Area Service 55.025
Hunting Service 55.026
New Orders Prohibited After Certain Date 55.041
Definitions 55.042
Contiguous Exchange 55.043
Splitting Exchanges Prohibited 55.044
Exemption 55.045
Eligibility to Petition 55.046
Petition Requirements 55.047
Balloting and Consideration 55.048
Charges 55.049
Expansion Prohibited After Certain Date 55.081
Definition 55.082
Applicability 55.083
Rules and Procedures 55.084
Information Displayed on Public Use Telephone 55.085
Connection Announcement 55.086
Information Required on Access to Local Exchange Company Operator 55.087
Access to Local Exchange Company and Other Utilities Required 55.088
Access to Live Operator Required 55.089
Commission May Investigate and Act on Violation 55.101
Definitions 55.102
Applicability 55.103
Provision of Service 55.104
Use of Information 55.105
Per-call Blocking 55.106
Per-line Blocking 55.107
Limitation on Commission Authority 55.109
Implementation of Panel Recommendations 55.110
Report of Blocking Failure 55.121
Definitions 55.122
Exemptions 55.123
Notice of Use of Device to Telecommunications Utility 55.124
Random or Sequential Number Calling 55.125
Hours When Use Prohibited 55.126
Device Disconnection 55.127
Contents of Recorded Message 55.128
Duration of Recorded Message 55.129
Permit Required 55.130
Permit 55.131
Permit Fee 55.132
Notification of Change 55.133
Notification of Local Exchange Company 55.134
Complaints and Enforcement 55.135
Revocation of Permit 55.136
Disconnection of Service 55.137
Administrative Penalty 55.138
Criminal Penalty 55.171
Definition 55.172
Limitation 55.173
Registration 55.174
Prohibition on Charge for Certain Calls 55.175
Charge for Local Calls 55.177
Charge for Credit Card, Calling Card, or Operator-assisted Calls 55.178
Notice of Inability to Receive Calls 55.179
Information Requirements 55.180
Violations 55.201
Terms of Directory Listings and Assistance 55.202
Directory Published by Telecommunications Utility 55.203
Directory Published by Private Publisher 55.204
Electronic Telephone Directory 55.251
Charge for Hotel or Motel Call 55.253
Telephone Prepaid Calling Services 55.301
State Policy 55.302
Commission Rules 55.303
Verification of Change 55.304
Unauthorized Change 55.305
Corrective Action and Penalties 55.306
Repeated and Reckless Violation 55.307
Deceptive or Fraudulent Practice 55.308
Consistency with Federal Law 55.1225
Applicability 55.1735
Charge for Pay Phone Access Line
Green check means up to date. Up to date

Accessed:
May 4, 2024

§ 55.013’s source at texas​.gov