Miscellaneous Expenditures — Utility Services
Gas Utilities
Advance payments
A gas utility or a municipally owned utility may not require a state agency or institution to pay for service before the service is provided.
However, the utility may enter into an agreement with a state agency to establish a level or average monthly service billing plan. The agreement must require quarterly reconciliation of the leveled or equalized bills.
Definitions:
- Gas utility
- Has the meaning assigned by the Texas Utilities Code Section 101.003(7).
- Municipally owned utility
- A utility owned, operated and controlled by a municipality or by a nonprofit corporation, the directors of which are appointed by one or more municipalities.
- Service
- Has the meaning assigned by the Texas Utilities Code Section 101.003(14).
- State agency
- Has the meaning assigned by Texas Government Code Section 572.002(10) to the extent the agency must obtain the approval described by Texas Natural Resources Code Section 31.401(a).
Sources [+]
Texas Utilities Code Sections 101.003(7)–(8),(14)–(15), 104.255(a),(c).
Certain assessments
The rates a gas utility or a municipally owned utility charges a state agency may not include an amount representing a:
- Gross receipts assessment,
- Regulatory assessment, or
- Similar expense of the utility.
Definitions:
- Gas utility
- Has the meaning assigned by the Texas Utilities Code Section 101.003(7).
- Municipally owned utility
- A utility owned, operated and controlled by a municipality or by a nonprofit corporation, the directors of which are appointed by one or more municipalities.
- State agency
- Has the meaning assigned by Texas Government Code Section 572.002(10) to the extent the agency must obtain the approval described by Texas Natural Resources Code Section 31.401(a).
Sources [+]
Texas Utilities Code Sections 101.003(7)–(8),(15), 104.202(a).
Late payments
The Railroad Commission of Texas is required to adopt rules on the payment of bills by a state agency to a gas utility or a municipally owned utility. The rules must be consistent with the prompt payment law.
Definitions:
- Gas utility
- Has the meaning assigned by the Texas Utilities Code Section 101.003(7).
- Municipally owned utility
- A utility owned, operated and controlled by a municipality or by a nonprofit corporation, the directors of which are appointed by one or more municipalities.
- State agency
- Has the meaning assigned by Texas Government Code Section 572.002(10) to the extent the agency must obtain the approval described by Texas Natural Resources Code Section 31.401(a).
Sources [+]
Texas Utilities Code Section 101.003(7)–(8),(15), Section 104.255(b).