Bill
HB 931
85(R) - 2017
House State Affairs
Senate Business & Commerce
House State Affairs
Senate Business & Commerce
Civil Remedies
Counties
Culture, Recreation, & Tourism
Liabilities
Utilities
Vote Recommendation
Yes
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Neutral
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Positive
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Neutral
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Neutral
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Neutral
Author(s)
Rick Miller
Co-Author(s)
Charles Anderson
Dwayne Bohac
DeWayne Burns
Gary Elkins
Wayne Faircloth
Jim Murphy
Tan Parker
Dennis Paul
J.D. Sheffield
John Smithee
Phil Stephenson
Ed Thompson
Bill Zedler
Sponsor(s)
Lois Kolkhorst
Bill Caption
Relating to liability of certain electric utilities that allow
certain uses of land that the electric utility owns, occupies, or
leases.
Fiscal Notes
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
Bill Analysis
Under current law, a utility in Harris county has limited liability when it enters into an agreement with a political subdivision to allow utility property to be used for public recreation. HB 931 would expand the application of these provisions to all counties. In addition, this bill would authorize a written agreement to require the political subdivision to pay costs incurred by the utility in an agreement.
A political subdivision's liability would also be limited in amounts not to exceed $350,000 for each person, $700,000 for each single occurrence for bodily
injury or death, $100,000 for each single occurrence for injury to or destruction of property,
court costs, reasonable attorney's fees, and any other expense incurred in filing a cause of action.
Vote Recommendation Notes
This legislation supports property rights. We support HB 931.
Organizations Supporting
Association of Electric Companies of Texas
Texas Municipal League
Organizations Opposed
Texas Trial Lawyers Association