Bill Text: TX HB693 | 2013-2014 | 83rd Legislature | Enrolled

Texas House Bill 693 (Prior Session Legislation)

Bill Title: Relating to the authority of a water and sewer utility to collect voluntary contributions on behalf of a local library.

Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Republican 2)

Status: (Passed) 2013-06-14 - Effective immediately [HB693 Detail]

Download: Texas-2013-HB693-Enrolled.html



	H.B. No. 693




	AN ACT
	relating to the authority of a water and sewer utility to collect
	voluntary contributions on behalf of a local library.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
	SECTION 1. Sections 13.143(a), (b), and (d), Water Code,
	are amended to read as follows:
	(a) A utility may implement as part of its billing process a
	program under which the utility collects from its customers a
	voluntary contribution, including a voluntary membership or
	subscription fee, on behalf of a local library, a volunteer fire
	department, or an emergency medical service.
	(b) A utility that collects contributions under this
	section shall provide each customer at the time that the customer
	first becomes a customer, and at least annually thereafter, a
	written statement:
	(1) describing the procedure by which the customer may
	make a contribution with the customer's bill payment;
	(2) designating the local library, volunteer fire
	department, or emergency medical service to which the utility will
	deliver the contribution;
	(3) informing the customer that a contribution is
	voluntary; and
	(4) describing the deductibility status of the
	contribution under federal income tax law.
	(d) The utility shall promptly deliver contributions that
	it collects under this section to the designated local library,
	volunteer fire department, or emergency medical service, except
	that the utility may keep from the contributions an amount equal to
	the lesser of:
	(1) the utility's expenses in administering the
	contribution program; or
	(2) five percent of the amount collected as
	contributions.
	SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
	a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
	provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
	Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
	Act takes effect September 1, 2013.


	______________________________	______________________________
	President of the Senate	Speaker of the House


	I certify that H.B. No. 693 was passed by the House on May 2,
	2013, by the following vote: Yeas 145, Nays 2, 2 present, not
	voting.

	______________________________
	Chief Clerk of the House


	I certify that H.B. No. 693 was passed by the Senate on May
	17, 2013, by the following vote: Yeas 29, Nays 0.

	______________________________
	Secretary of the Senate
	APPROVED: _____________________
	Date

	_____________________
	Governor