86R3590 GRM-F
 
  By: Patterson H.B. No. 795
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to a municipality's ability to enforce zoning and other
  land use regulations against electric companies.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 41.005, Utilities Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         Sec. 41.005.  LIMITATION ON MUNICIPAL AUTHORITY. (a)  
  Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, a municipality
  may not directly or indirectly regulate the rates, operations, and
  services of an electric cooperative, except, with respect to
  operations, to the extent necessary to protect the public health,
  safety, or welfare.
         (b)  This section does not prohibit a municipality from
  making a lawful charge for the use of public rights-of-way within
  the municipality as provided by Section 182.025, Tax Code, and
  Section 33.008 of this code. An electric cooperative shall be an
  electric utility for purposes of Section 182.025, Tax Code, and
  Section 33.008 of this code.
         (c)  This section does not prohibit a municipality from
  enforcing the municipality's zoning or other land use regulations,
  including a specific use permit, except that a municipality's
  enforcement of the municipality's land use regulations may not:
               (1)  operate to exclude the electric cooperative from
  the municipality; or
               (2)  directly conflict with a certification granted by
  the commission under Chapter 37.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.