SB1312 - Relating to the disconnection of electric service by certain entities during an extreme weather emergency.

  89R9151 SCR-D     By: Cook S.B. No. 1312       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the disconnection of electric service by certain   entities during an extreme weather emergency.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 39.101(h), Utilities Code, is amended to   read as follows:          (h)  A retail electric provider, power generation company,   aggregator, or other entity that provides retail electric service   may not disconnect service to a residential customer during an   extreme weather emergency or on a weekend day. The entity providing   service shall defer collection of the full payment of bills that are   due during an extreme weather emergency until after the emergency   is over and shall work with customers to establish a pay schedule   for deferred bills. For purposes of this subsection, "extreme   weather emergency" means a period when:                (1)  the previous day's highest temperature did not   exceed 32 degrees Fahrenheit and the temperature is predicted to   remain at or below that level for the next 24 hours according to the   nearest National Weather Service reports; [ or ]                (2)  the National Weather Service issues a heat   advisory for any county in the relevant service territory, or when   such an advisory has been issued on any one of the previous two   calendar days ; or                 (3)     any county in the relevant service territory is   the subject of a weather-related disaster declaration by the   governor under Chapter 418, Government Code .          SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.