AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

Currently, a municipally owned utility is required to charge a recreational vehicle (RV) park the same rate that is used for other commercial businesses for nonsubmetered master metered utility services.

 

However, some municipalities have failed to treat commercial businesses and RV parks the same for the purposes of certain water fees.  H.B. 2152 clarifies existing law to ensure that these parks are treated similarly to commercial businesses in regard to certain water fees.

 

H.B. 2152 amends current law relating to fees charged to certain recreational vehicle parks.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

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

 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

 

SECTION 1. Amends Section 13.087, Water Code, by amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsection (b-1), as follows:

 

(b) Requires a municipally owned utility that provides nonsubmetered master metered utility service to a recreational vehicle park to determine the rates for that service on the same basis the utility uses to determine the rates for other commercial businesses, rather than commercial businesses, including hotels and motels, that serve transient customers and receive nonsubmetered master metered utility service from the utility.

 

(b-1) Prohibits a municipally owned utility that provides nonsubmetered master metered utility service to a recreational vehicle park from charging a recreational vehicle park a fee that the utility does not charge other commercial businesses that serve transient customers and receive nonsubmetered master metered utility service from the utility.

 

SECTION 2. Amends Section 49.351, Water Code, by adding Subsection (m), as follows:

 

(m) Prohibits a district, notwithstanding any other provision of this section, from charging a fee to a recreational vehicle park, as defined by Section 13.087, on the basis of connections the park provides for the park's transient customers.  Requires that a fee charged to a recreational vehicle park be based on the park's nonsubmetered master meter connection.

 

SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2013.