83R3427 TJB-F
By: Bell H.B. No. 1293
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the authority of a county to regulate the connection of
electric service in the unincorporated area of the county.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter Z, Chapter 240, Local Government
Code, is amended by adding Section 240.908 to read as follows:
Sec. 240.908. CONNECTION OF ELECTRIC SERVICE. (a) This
section applies only to a structure located in the unincorporated
area of a county that has not previously been connected to electric
service.
(b) The commissioners court of a county by order may require
a person to obtain a certificate from the county that authorizes an
electric utility to connect a structure on the person's property
with electric service.
(c) A county shall issue a certificate under this section if
the person requesting the certificate provides to the county the
location of the person's property and the type of structure to be
connected with electric service. A county may not charge a fee to
issue the certificate.
(d) An electric utility may not connect a structure with
electric service in a county that requires the issuance of a
certificate under this section unless the utility receives a
certificate issued by the county authorizing the connection of the
service.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2013.