Texas House Bill HB4052

Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Caption

Relating allowable utility charges by a county .

Impact

The enactment of HB 4052 is expected to facilitate greater local control over utilities by allowing counties to evaluate and negotiate charges based on individual circumstances. This change provides counties with a framework for establishing utility charges linked to the use of public resources, potentially leading to increased revenue streams for county governments. The ability to withhold access until agreements are reached aims to encourage utilities to engage more proactively in negotiations with counties.

Summary

House Bill 4052 addresses the regulation of utility charges by counties in Texas. The bill amends Section 33.007 of the Utilities Code to outline the conditions under which counties can charge electric utilities for the use of easements or rights of way. It stipulates that such charges must be authorized through an interlocal agreement between the county and the electric utility, ensuring that counties have the authority to negotiate fees for utility access to their infrastructure.

Contention

Although the bill appears to empower counties, there may be contention over the implications for electric and gas utilities. Some stakeholders might argue that allowing counties to establish varying charges can create inconsistencies across the state, leading to complications for utility companies that operate in multiple jurisdictions. This aspect of the legislation may provoke debates about the fairness of utility regulation and the potential for counties to impose excessive fees that could indirectly affect utility pricing for consumers.