80R10451 JJT-D
 
  By: Van de Putte S.B. No. 1430
 
 
 
   
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to designation of certain customer bill payment assistance
program costs as an expense of operation that is a first lien
against revenue securing certain public securities or obligations.
       BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
       SECTION 1.  Section 1502.056(a), Government Code, is amended
to read as follows:
       (a)  If the revenue of a utility system, park, or swimming
pool secures the payment of public securities issued or obligations
incurred under this chapter, each expense of operation and
maintenance, including all salaries, labor, materials, interest,
repairs and extensions necessary to provide efficient service, and
each proper item of expense, is a first lien against that revenue.
The first lien against the revenue of an electric or gas utility
system that secures the payment of public securities issued or
obligations incurred under this chapter also applies to funding, as
a necessary operations expense, for a bill payment assistance
program for utility system customers who have been threatened with
disconnection from service for nonpayment of bills and who have
been determined by the municipality to be low-income customers.
       SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2007.