Texas House Bill HB2405

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

Caption

Relating to the requirement that certain retail water and sewer utility services maintain service during an extended power outage.

Impact

The enactment of HB2405 will lead to increased safety and reliability standards for water and sewer services across Texas, particularly in areas more susceptible to disasters. By requiring utilities to prepare for extended outages, the bill emphasizes proactive measures to safeguard public health and welfare. Furthermore, the mutual aid agreements will establish a systematic approach for utilities to collaborate during emergencies, which can streamline recovery efforts and facilitate quicker restoration of services when disasters strike.

Summary

House Bill 2405 is focused on ensuring continuity of service for retail water and sewer utilities during extended power outages. The bill mandates that each county in Texas be assigned a risk level based on its likelihood of experiencing a major disaster. Utilities in areas designated as 'high risk' must have mutual aid agreements in place with other service providers to guarantee the supply of adequate water and sewer services, even in the event of significant interruptions to power. This regulation aims to bolster emergency management protocols for essential services.

Contention

While the bill aims to enhance service reliability during emergencies, there may be concerns related to the administrative burden placed upon utilities, specifically in terms of compliance costs and resource allocation for establishing mutual aid agreements. Additionally, discussions around HB2405 could also highlight differing opinions on the effectiveness of state-mandated preparedness measures versus those driven by local conditions and needs, leading to potential debates about the balance between state regulation and local control.