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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the temporary continuation of utility service for real |
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property of a decedent. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Chapter 152, Estates Code, is amended by adding |
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Subchapter D to read as follows: |
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SUBCHAPTER D. TEMPORARY CONTINUATION OF UTILITY SERVICE |
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Sec. 152.151. TEMPORARY CONTINUATION OF UTILITY SERVICE. |
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(a) A decedent's next of kin may submit to an entity that provides |
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or provided utility service to real property of the decedent a |
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request that the entity continue the service until the earlier of: |
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(1) the 90th day after the date the entity receives the |
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request; |
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(2) the 14th day after the date a personal |
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representative of the decedent's estate qualifies; or |
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(3) the date the next of kin requests that the service |
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be discontinued. |
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(b) An entity that receives a request described by |
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Subsection (a): |
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(1) is not required to comply with the request unless |
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the decedent's next of kin submits with the request an electronic or |
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paper copy of the decedent's death certificate; and |
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(2) shall suspend imposition and collection of |
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penalties or fees associated with nonpayment during the period the |
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entity provides the requested service. |
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(c) Next of kin who request service under this section are |
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not personally liable for costs associated with continuing the |
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service as described by this section. Costs associated with |
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service requested under this section are a liability of the |
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decedent's estate. |
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(d) As soon as possible after the date a personal |
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representative of the decedent's estate qualifies, the next of kin |
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who requested service under this section shall notify the entity of |
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that fact. |
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SECTION 2. The changes in law made by this Act apply only to |
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utility service of a decedent who dies on or after the effective |
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date of this Act. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015. |