By: Whitmire S.B. No. 1976               A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the eligibility process for customer service benefits.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 17.007, Utilities Code, is amended to   read as follows:          ELIGIBILITY PROCESS FOR CUSTOMER SERVICE   [DISCOUNTS]BENEFITS.  [The commission by rule shall provide for an   integrated eligibility process for customer service discounts,   including discounts under Sections 39.903 and 55.015.]The Texas   Department of Health and Human Services, on request of the   commission, shall assist in developing an automatic process to   provide for identification of low-income customers to retail   electric providers and certified telecommunications utilities to   enable those providers to offer customer service, discounts, bill   payment assistance, or other methods of assistance. The   commissioner and the Texas Department of Health and Human Services   shall continue the memorandum of understanding in effect on January   1, 2017 that establishes the respective duties of the commission   and the department in relation to the automatic process, and may   amend the memorandum of understanding as necessary to achieve the   goals of this section.          a)  The commission may not require a retail electric provider   or certified telecommunications utility to offer customer service   discounts, bill payment assistance, or other benefits for which the   provider is not reimbursed.