Bill
SB 873
85(R) - 2017
Senate Agriculture, Water, & Rural Affairs
House Natural Resources
Senate Agriculture, Water, & Rural Affairs
House Natural Resources
Utilities
Vote Recommendation
Yes
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Neutral
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Positive
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Neutral
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Positive
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Neutral
Author(s)
Brandon Creighton
Sponsor(s)
Jim Murphy
Bill Caption
Relating to the authority and liability of owners and managers of apartment houses, manufactured home rental communities, condominiums, and multiple use facilities in charging tenants for submetered and nonsubmetered master metered water and wastewater services.
Fiscal Notes
From the Legislative Budget Board: no significant fiscal implication to the state is anticipated.
Bill Analysis
SB 873 would amend the Water Code to add that if an owner or manager of an apartment house, condominium, or other multiple use facility violates a rule of the Public Utility Commission regarding utility costs, the claimant may file a complaint with the commission. If the commission determines the owner or manager overcharged the claimant for water or wastewater service from the public utility, the commission can require repayment.
Vote Recommendation Notes
This bill enhances our limited government and private property rights principles by requiring a water billing dispute between a tenant and owner to be handled through the Public Utility Commission's complaint process rather than using costly lawsuits to settle these disputes. This protects the property rights of the owner and the tenant while also preventing the courts from unnecessarily being clogged up by frivolous lawsuits. We support SB 873.
Organizations Supporting
Independent Bankers Association of Texas
Texans for Lawsuit Reform
Texas Apartment Association
Texas Association of Builders
Texas Association of Business
Texas Civil Justice League
Organizations Opposed
Texas Trial Lawyers Association
Texas Watch
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