UTILITIES CODE

CHAPTER 183. UTILITY DEPOSITS


	§ 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, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.                    


	§ 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, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.                    


	§ 183.003.  RATE OF INTEREST.  (a)  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.
	(b)  The commission may not set the rate at an amount that 
exceeds the lesser of:
		(1)  85 percent of the average rate paid over the 
previous 12-month period on United States treasury bills with a 
12-month maturity date;  or
		(2)  12 percent.                                                              
	(c)  The commission may not set the rate at an amount that is 
less than six percent.

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


	§ 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, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.                    


	§ 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, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.                    


	§ 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, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.