CHAPTER 183. UTILITY DEPOSITS
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.