78R7703 QS-D

By:  Rodriguez                                                    H.B. No. 2187



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to requiring a residential landlord to provide notice to 
certain tenants regarding the interruption of utilities in certain 
circumstances.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.   Section 92.008, Property Code, is amended by 
adding Subsections (h) and (i) to read as follows:
	(h)  Except as provided by Subsection (i), a landlord who 
interrupts utility services for bona fide repairs or construction 
under this section shall deliver written notice of the impending 
interruption to a tenant affected by the interruption not later 
than 72 hours before the time that repair or construction work 
begins.  The notice must specify the estimated amount of time 
necessary to complete the repairs or construction.
	(i)  A landlord who interrupts utility services for an 
emergency is not required to provide notice under Subsection (h).
	SECTION 2.   This Act takes effect September 1, 2003.