UTILITY DEPOSITS

Tex. UTIL Code ch. 183
in effect

Tex. UTIL Code § 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.

Tex. UTIL Code § 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.

Tex. UTIL Code § 183.003. RATE OF INTEREST.

The commission on or before each December 1 shall set the annual interest rate for the next calendar year on deposits governed by this chapter at the average rate paid over the previous 12-month period on United States treasury bills with a 26-week maturity.

Tex. UTIL Code § 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.

Tex. UTIL Code § 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.

Tex. UTIL Code § 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.
Source: TX Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Fetched: 6/29/2026

Starting a business in Texas? Texas LLC guide: costs and requirements