BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 569

By: Jackson

Natural Resources

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Recreational vehicle (RV) park and campground owners in Texas are experiencing a disparity in the water and wastewater rates they pay relative to rates charged to similar commercial entities within their communities. While some water rates are regulated by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), in other instances water and wastewater rates are set by cities or by various water utilities or districts. A problem occurs when these entities view RV parks as an entity other than a commercial entity in applying water and wastewater rates.

S.B. 569 requires water districts under Section 49 (Provisions Applicable to all Districts), Water Code, to use the same basis for determining water and wastewater rates for campgrounds and RV parks as they use for commercial entities served by the district. S.B. 569 sets forth language to define an RV as a commercial entity and require a water district that provides nonsubmetered master meter utility service to an RV park to determine rates for that service to an RV park on the same basis as the district would determine rates for a commercial entity.

As proposed, S.B. 569 amends current law relating to the rates charged by certain conservation and reclamation districts for potable water or wastewater service to recreational vehicle parks.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 49.2122, Water Code, by adding Subsection (a-1), to require a district that provides nonsubmetered master meter utility service, as defined by Section 13.087(a)(1), to a recreational vehicle park, as defined by Section 13.087(a)(3), to, notwithstanding Subsection (a) (relating to charges, fees, rentals, or deposits, among classes of customers), determine the rates for that service on the same basis the district uses to determine the rates for other commercial businesses that serve transient customers and receive nonsubmetered master metered utility service from the district.

SECTION 2. Makes application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 3. Provides for the effective date of this Act.

EFFECTIVE DATE

This Act takes effect September 1, 2011.