Texas House Bill HB458

Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Caption

Relating to notice of a scheduled disconnection of water utility service.

Impact

The bill serves to enhance the protection of tenants living in multifamily properties by ensuring that local governments are informed of potential service disruptions. This proactive measure aims to allow municipalities to take appropriate steps in assisting residents, providing an added layer of oversight and care for vulnerable tenants who may be impacted by utility disconnections.

Summary

House Bill 458 addresses the issue of notifying municipalities about scheduled disconnections of water utility services to nonsubmetered master metered multifamily properties. The bill stipulates that before a water utility can disconnect service for nonpayment, it must send a written notice to the relevant municipality indicating the planned disconnection. This notification must occur at least ten days prior to the disconnection event.

Contention

While the bill is designed to protect tenants, it also places significant responsibility on water utilities to comply with the additional notification requirements. Some stakeholders may argue about the feasibility of adhering to these new procedures, considering the already complex dynamics involved in managing utility services. Furthermore, local governments may need to establish a mechanism for receiving these notifications effectively, which could entail additional administrative efforts.