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Bill

SB 1566

Relating to connection of utilities by certain entities in certain subdivisions formerly located in a municipality's extraterritorial jurisdiction.

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by Paul Bettencourt and 1 co-sponsor

Bill permits utility connections in subdivisions formerly under municipal extraterritorial jurisdiction, clarifying service provider authority in transitional jurisdictional areas.

Effective immediately
#citygovernment--annexation(i0063) #citygovernment--utilities(i0068) #utilities--general(i0830)
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Bill Summary · SB 1566

Legislative bill overview

SB 1566 allows certain entities to connect utilities in subdivisions that were previously located within a municipality's extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) but are no longer subject to that jurisdiction. The bill addresses situations where development occurred in areas that have since fallen outside municipal control, clarifying utility connection rights for these properties.

Why is this important

This bill resolves a potential gap in utility service authority for properties in transitional jurisdictional areas. Without this clarification, residents and developers in these subdivisions could face unclear or conflicting regulations about who can provide essential services like water, sewer, and electricity, potentially creating service gaps or disputes between municipal and non-municipal utility providers.

Potential points of contention

  • Municipal authority concerns: Municipalities may view this as limiting their control over utility infrastructure in areas they previously had jurisdiction over, potentially reducing their revenue from utility services
  • Definition ambiguity: The bill's reference to "certain entities" and "certain subdivisions" may require additional regulatory interpretation, creating uncertainty about which developments qualify
  • Service coordination: Unclear how this affects existing utility agreements, infrastructure investments, or service standards between municipalities and alternative utility providers in affected areas

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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