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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to notice required after an intentional shutoff of |
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electric and water service. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 17.004, Utilities Code, is amended by |
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adding Subsection (a-1) to read as follows: |
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(a-1) Not later than three hours after an electric utility |
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intentionally shuts off electric power to a customer in response to |
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an emergency event, the utility, or the customer's retail electric |
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provider, as appropriate, shall notify the customer of the shutoff |
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by e-mail or text message. The notice must include the following |
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information: |
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(1) the estimated time and date that the utility will |
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restore electric power to the customer; and |
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(2) whether the shutoff is part of an involuntary load |
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shedding event. |
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SECTION 2. Section 17.005, Utilities Code, is amended by |
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adding Subsection (g) to read as follows: |
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(g) Not later than three hours after a municipally owned |
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utility intentionally shuts off electric power to a customer in |
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response to an emergency event, the utility shall notify the |
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customer of the shutoff by e-mail or text message. The notice must |
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include the following information: |
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(1) the estimated time and date that the utility will |
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restore electric power to the customer; and |
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(2) whether the shutoff is part of an involuntary load |
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shedding event. |
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SECTION 3. Section 17.006, Utilities Code, is amended by |
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adding Subsection (g) to read as follows: |
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(g) Not later than three hours after an electric cooperative |
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intentionally shuts off electric power to a customer in response to |
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an emergency event, the utility shall notify the customer of the |
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shutoff by e-mail or text message. The notice must include the |
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following information: |
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(1) the estimated time and date that the utility will |
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restore electric power to the customer; and |
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(2) whether the shutoff is part of an involuntary load |
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shedding event. |
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SECTION 4. Subchapter E, Chapter 13, Water Code, is amended |
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by adding Section 13.1397 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 13.1397. NOTICE REQUIRED FOR INTENTIONAL SHUTOFF OF |
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SERVICE. Not later than three hours after a retail public utility |
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intentionally shuts off water service to a customer in response to |
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an emergency event, the utility shall notify the customer of the |
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shutoff by e-mail or text message. The notice must include the |
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estimated time and date that the utility will restore water service |
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to the customer. |
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SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023. |