HB 2471
AN ACT relating to security deposits collected by a municipal utility
89th Regular Session
Jan 14, 2025 - Jun 2, 2025 • Session ended
Awaiting Committee Assignment
Bill filed, pending referral to House committee
Committee
Not yet assigned
Fiscal Note
Not available
What This Bill Does
Prevents municipal utility districts from arbitrarily deducting damages or service charges from a security deposit that does not belong to the person responsible for those damages. Specifically, if a district collects separate security deposits from both a landlord and a tenant, they can only deduct damages or charges from the deposit of the specific party directly responsible for those damages. The law aims to protect tenants and landlords from unfair utility deposit practices by ensuring that each party's security deposit remains separate and protected.
Subject Areas
Bill Text
relating to security deposits collected by a municipal utility BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subchapter D, Chapter 54, Water Code, is amended by adding Section 54.2053 to read as follows: Sec. 54.2053. RESTRICTIONS ON USE OF CERTAIN DEPOSITS FOR SERVICES. A district that collects a separate security deposit from a landlord and a tenant of the landlord for services or facilities furnished by the district may deduct damages and charges only from the security deposit of the person who is directly responsible for the damages or charges. 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, 2025.
Bill History
Bill filed: AN ACT relating to security deposits collected by a municipal utility
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