Bill Text: TX HB2531 | 2023-2024 | 88th Legislature | Introduced

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Bill Title: Relating to notice required after an intentional shutoff of electric and water service.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2023-03-13 - Referred to State Affairs [HB2531 Detail]

Download: Texas-2023-HB2531-Introduced.html

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88R9524 DIO-D
By: Plesa H.B. No. 2531

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to notice required after an intentional shutoff of
electric and water service.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 17.004, Utilities Code, is amended by
adding Subsection (a-1) to read as follows:
(a-1) Not later than three hours after an electric utility
intentionally shuts off electric power to a customer in response to
an emergency event, the utility, or the customer's retail electric
provider, as appropriate, shall notify the customer of the shutoff
by e-mail or text message. The notice must include the following
information:
(1) the estimated time and date that the utility will
restore electric power to the customer; and
(2) whether the shutoff is part of an involuntary load
shedding event.
SECTION 2. Section 17.005, Utilities Code, is amended by
adding Subsection (g) to read as follows:
(g) Not later than three hours after a municipally owned
utility intentionally shuts off electric power to a customer in
response to an emergency event, the utility shall notify the
customer of the shutoff by e-mail or text message. The notice must
include the following information:
(1) the estimated time and date that the utility will
restore electric power to the customer; and
(2) whether the shutoff is part of an involuntary load
shedding event.
SECTION 3. Section 17.006, Utilities Code, is amended by
adding Subsection (g) to read as follows:
(g) Not later than three hours after an electric cooperative
intentionally shuts off electric power to a customer in response to
an emergency event, the utility shall notify the customer of the
shutoff by e-mail or text message. The notice must include the
following information:
(1) the estimated time and date that the utility will
restore electric power to the customer; and
(2) whether the shutoff is part of an involuntary load
shedding event.
SECTION 4. Subchapter E, Chapter 13, Water Code, is amended
by adding Section 13.1397 to read as follows:
Sec. 13.1397. NOTICE REQUIRED FOR INTENTIONAL SHUTOFF OF
SERVICE. Not later than three hours after a retail public utility
intentionally shuts off water service to a customer in response to
an emergency event, the utility shall notify the customer of the
shutoff by e-mail or text message. The notice must include the
estimated time and date that the utility will restore water service
to the customer.
SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.