Highlights of the 79th Texas Legislature - Senate

NATURAL RESOURCES/GENERAL
Municipalities and Pipeline Companies—S.B. 480
By Senators Hinojosa and Williams—House Sponsor: Representative George "Buddy" West
Some municipalities have recently enacted ordinances that significantly increased the fees charged to pipeline
companies to install, repair, or maintain facilities under, over, or along the public ways in municipalities. The ability of
a municipality to charge gas, water, and electric distribution companies has already been limited by Section 182.025,
Tax Code. This bill:
Allows a municipality to recover costs for the repair of any damage to the streets and alleys.
Allows municipalities an annual fee to recover the cost of regulating the location of the pipeline facility, including
maintaining records and maps of pipeline locations.
Land Development Permits—S.B. 574
By Senator Armbrister—House Sponsor: Representative Pickett
Current statutes related to "vested rights" were created to protect the private property and development rights of
landowners from the application of retroactive rulemaking by cities and other governmental entities. This bill:
Amends existing exemptions to clarify that zoning regulations or other land use regulations, annexation regulations,
or regulations to prevent the imminent destruction of property or injury to persons affecting "landscaping or tree
preservation" or "open space or park dedication" are not exempt from the application of the Act.
Clarifies and updates changes in regard to the language on dormant projects.
Clarifies that political subdivisions are not immune from suit for enforcement of Chapter 245 (Issuance of Local
Permits), Local Government Code.
Energy Efficiency Programs—S.B. 712
By Senator Carona—House Sponsor: Representative Robby Cook
As our population grows, reducing overall energy consumption becomes an important legislative policy issue. This
bill:
Encourages and facilitates the adoption of emerging energy and information-related technologies that either reduce
overall energy consumption or reduce consumption at peak times by proposing modified efficiency goals.
Authorizes permanently retiring old, inefficient household appliances from the market by safely recycling them.
Requires the Public Utility Commission of Texas to establish market transformation programs for schools and
homeowners.
192 HIGHLIGHTS - 79 TH TEXAS LEGISLATURE