Summary

This bill packages several consumer protections relating to the electricity market.

Background

SB 7(76R) deregulated the electricity market in the Texas. This deregulation proceeded in a series of stages, with the last stage (the elimination of the “price to beat”) beginning January 1st, 2007. Texas now has one of the highest electricity rates in the nation./1/

Detail

HB 444:
* Allow customers to freely switch electric companies without getting hit with excessive or hidden fees
* Prohibit electric companies from cutting off service to medically fragile Texans during periods of extreme heat or cold.
* Restore and protect Texas' System Benefit Fund for seniors and low-income families. /1/

Political Context

AARP supports this bill./1/

Additional Links

/1/ Press Release "SENATOR HINOJOSA FILES SWEEPING ENERGY REFORM BILL TO BRING TRUE CHOICE TO TEXAS' ELECTRIC CONSUMERS"
/2/ Bernstein, Jake "Let the Battle Begin" Texas Observer Blog, 2/5/2007