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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to nonsubmetered billing for water or wastewater service. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter M, Chapter 13, Water Code, is amended |
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by adding Section 13.5032 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 13.5032. MUNICIPAL NONSUBMETERED BILLING; CHARGES. |
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(a) Each municipally owned utility that bills for nonsubmetered |
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master metered utility service shall make publicly available for |
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each entity billed a statement that includes: |
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(1) a current copy of the municipally owned utility's |
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rate structure applicable to the billed service; and |
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(2) a list of fees and charges applicable to the billed |
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service. |
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(b) Subsection (a) does not authorize or require a |
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municipally owned utility to make an entity's bill publicly |
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available. |
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(c) A municipally owned utility may not charge a dwelling |
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unit base charge for nonsubmetered master metered utility service. |
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A municipally owned utility may not impose different per-meter base |
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charges on residential and commercial customers. Notwithstanding |
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Subchapter C, a person may appeal a charge that does not comply with |
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this subsection by filing a petition with the utility commission. |
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The utility commission shall hear the appeal de novo, and the |
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municipality charging the fee has the burden of proof to establish |
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that the charge complies with this subsection. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019. |