Section 36.061 - Allowance Of Certain Expenses(a) The regulatory authority may not allow as a cost or expense for ratemaking purposes: (1) an expenditure for legislative advocacy; or(2) an expenditure described by Section 32.104 that the regulatory authority determines to be not in the public interest.(b) The regulatory authority may allow as a cost or expense: (1) reasonable charitable or civic contributions not to exceed the amount approved by the regulatory authority; and(2) reasonable costs of participating in a proceeding under this title not to exceed the amount approved by the regulatory authority.(c) An electric utility located in a portion of this state not subject to retail competition may establish a bill payment assistance program for a customer who is a military veteran who a medical doctor certifies has a significantly decreased ability to regulate the individual's body temperature because of severe burns received in combat. A regulatory authority shall allow as a cost or expense a cost or expense of the bill payment assistance program. The electric utility is entitled to: (1) fully recover all costs and expenses related to the bill payment assistance program; (2) defer each cost or expense related to the bill payment assistance program not explicitly included in base rates; and (3) apply carrying charges at the utility's weighted average cost of capital to the extent related to the bill payment assistance program. Amended by Acts 2013, 83rd Leg. - Regular Session, ch. 597,Sec. 1, eff. 6/14/2013. Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 166, Sec. 1, eff. 9/1/1997.