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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to municipally owned utility systems. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 1502.001, Government Code, is amended by |
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adding Subdivision (4) to read as follows: |
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(4) "Water system" means any one or a combination of |
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the following: |
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(A) an untreated or partially treated water |
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diversion, impoundment, and delivery system, including a stream, |
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channel, resaca, or canal; |
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(B) a treated water production, storage, and |
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distribution system; or |
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(C) a reclaimed water transmission, storage, and |
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distribution system. |
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SECTION 2. Section 1502.057, Government Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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Sec. 1502.057. CHARGES FOR SERVICES. (a) The governing |
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body of the [A] municipality or the board of trustees having |
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management and control of a utility system shall impose and collect |
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charges for services provided by a utility system in amounts at |
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least sufficient to pay: |
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(1) all operating, maintenance, depreciation, |
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replacement, improvement, and interest charges in connection with |
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the utility system; |
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(2) for an interest and sinking fund sufficient to pay |
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any public securities issued or obligations incurred for any |
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purpose described by Section 1502.002 relating to the utility |
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system; and |
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(3) any outstanding debt against the system. |
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(b) The rates charged for services provided by a utility |
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system must be equal and uniform. A municipality or board of |
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trustees may not allow any free service except for: |
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(1) municipal public schools; or |
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(2) buildings and institutions operated by the |
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municipality. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2013. |