86R26633 JXC-D
By: Nevárez H.B. No. 4246
Substitute the following for H.B. No. 4246:
By: Ramos C.S.H.B. No. 4246
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to nonsubmetered billing for water or wastewater service.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter M, Chapter 13, Water Code, is amended
by adding Section 13.5032 to read as follows:
Sec. 13.5032. MUNICIPAL NONSUBMETERED BILLING; CHARGES.
(a) Each municipally owned utility that bills for nonsubmetered
master metered utility service shall make publicly available for
each entity billed a statement that includes:
(1) a current copy of the municipally owned utility's
rate structure applicable to the billed service; and
(2) a list of fees and charges applicable to the billed
service.
(b) Subsection (a) does not authorize or require a
municipally owned utility to make an entity's bill publicly
available.
(c) A municipally owned utility may not charge a dwelling
unit base charge for nonsubmetered master metered utility service.
A municipally owned utility may not impose different per-meter base
charges on residential and commercial customers. Notwithstanding
Subchapter C, a person may appeal a charge that does not comply with
this subsection by filing a petition with the utility commission.
The utility commission shall hear the appeal de novo, and the
municipality charging the fee has the burden of proof to establish
that the charge complies with this subsection.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.