By Davis of Dallas                                    H.B. No. 2186
         77R12420 AJA-D                           
                                A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to charges assessed by a landlord under a commercial
 1-3     lease.
 1-4           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-5           SECTION 1. Chapter 93, Property Code, is amended by adding
 1-6     Section 93.004 to read as follows:
 1-7           Sec. 93.004.  ASSESSMENT OF CHARGES. (a)  A landlord may not
 1-8     assess a charge, excluding a charge for rent or physical damage to
 1-9     the leased premises, to a tenant unless the amount of the charge or
1-10     the method by which the charge is to be computed is stated in the
1-11     lease, an exhibit or attachment that is part of the lease, or an
1-12     amendment to the lease.
1-13           (b)  This section does not affect a landlord's right to
1-14     assess a charge or obtain a remedy allowed under a statute or
1-15     common law.
1-16           SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2001, and
1-17     applies only to a commercial lease entered into or renewed or
1-18     extended on or after that date.