CHAPTER 183. UTILITY DEPOSITS - Texas Statutes

UTILITIES CODE

TITLE 4. DELIVERY OF UTILITY SERVICES

SUBTITLE B. PROVISIONS REGULATING DELIVERY OF SERVICES

CHAPTER 183. UTILITY DEPOSITS

Sec. 183.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:

(1) "Commission" means the Public Utility Commission of Texas.

(2) "Utility" means a person, firm, company, corporation,

receiver, or trustee who furnishes water, electric, gas, or

telephone service.

Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 166, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.

Sec. 183.002. INTEREST ON DEPOSIT. A utility that requires the

user of a service to pay a money deposit as a condition to

furnishing the service shall pay interest on the deposit from the

time the deposit is made.

Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 166, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.

Sec. 183.003. RATE OF INTEREST. The commission each December

1, or the next regular workday if December 1 is a Saturday,

Sunday, or legal holiday, shall set the annual interest rate for

the next calendar year on deposits governed by this chapter at

the average rate paid over the previous 12-month period on United

States treasury bills with a 26-week maturity.

Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 166, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.

Amended by:

Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch.

1320, Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2005.

Sec. 183.004. INTEREST PAYMENT TO DEPOSITOR. A utility shall

pay interest on the deposit to the depositor or the depositor's

heirs or assigns annually on demand or sooner if the service is

discontinued.

Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 166, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.

Sec. 183.005. RETURN OF DEPOSIT. (a) When the service is

discontinued, the utility shall return the deposit and any unpaid

interest on the deposit to the depositor or the depositor's heirs

or legal representatives.

(b) The utility company may deduct from the amount returned

under Subsection (a) any payments due for the services.

Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 166, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.

Sec. 183.006. CRIMINAL PENALTY. (a) A person commits an

offense if the person violates this chapter.

(b) An offense under this section is punishable by:

(1) a fine of not less than $25 and not more than $200;

(2) confinement in jail for not less than six months and not

more than one year; or

(3) both the fine and confinement.

Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 166, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.