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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. The heading to Section 13.5031, Water Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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Sec. 13.5031. NONSUBMETERING RULES; CHARGES. |
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SECTION 2. Section 13.5031, Water Code, is amended by |
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adding Subsection (c) to read as follows: |
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(c) An owner, operator, or manager of an apartment house, |
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manufactured home rental community, or multiple use facility who |
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bills tenants for nonsubmetered master metered utility service may |
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not charge a dwelling unit base charge of more than $5. |
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SECTION 3. 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) A municipally owned utility may not charge a dwelling |
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unit base charge of more than $5 for nonsubmetered master metered |
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utility service. Notwithstanding Subchapter C, a person may appeal |
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a charge that does not comply with this subsection by filing a |
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petition with the utility commission. The utility commission shall |
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hear the appeal de novo, and the municipality charging the fee has |
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the burden of proof to establish that the fee complies with this |
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subsection. The utility commission shall set the fees to be charged |
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by the municipality in accordance with this subsection. |
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SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019. |