83R10158 JTS-F
By: Lucio S.B. No. 1817
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to municipally owned utility systems.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 1502.001, Government Code, is amended by
adding Subdivision (4) to read as follows:
(4) "Water system" means any one or a combination of
the following:
(A) an untreated or partially treated water
diversion, impoundment, and delivery system, including a stream,
channel, resaca, or canal;
(B) a treated water production, storage, and
distribution system; or
(C) a reclaimed water transmission, storage, and
distribution system.
SECTION 2. Section 1502.057, Government Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 1502.057. CHARGES FOR SERVICES. (a) The governing
body of the [A] municipality or the board of trustees having
management and control of a utility system shall impose and collect
charges for services provided by a utility system in amounts at
least sufficient to pay:
(1) all operating, maintenance, depreciation,
replacement, improvement, and interest charges in connection with
the utility system;
(2) for an interest and sinking fund sufficient to pay
any public securities issued or obligations incurred for any
purpose described by Section 1502.002 relating to the utility
system; and
(3) any outstanding debt against the system.
(b) The rates charged for services provided by a utility
system must be equal and uniform. A municipality or board of
trustees may not allow any free service except for:
(1) municipal public schools; or
(2) buildings and institutions operated by the
municipality.
SECTION 3. 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.