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Topic: Texas state rules for electricity, gas, water, phone, and sewer servicesSource: Texas Utilities Code — official state lawWho It Helps: Residents, businesses, local governments, and lawyersCost to Access: Free to read and search onlineReading Time: 2 minutes for this summary
The Texas Utilities Code is the official state law that spells out rules for electric, gas, water, sewer, and telecommunications services across Texas. It also lays out your rights as a utility customer. The full text is free to read and search online anytime.
The Code is organized into four main titles. Title 2, the Public Utility Regulatory Act (PURA), covers electric and telecommunications utilities, rates, and customer protections. Title 3 covers gas pipelines and rates, overseen by the Texas Railroad Commission. Title 4 covers electric and telephone cooperatives, metering, utility deposits, and customer rights. Together they form the legal backbone for how utility companies must treat customers in Texas.
Use the free online search at the Texas Constitution and Statutes website to look up a specific topic, such as deposit limits or disconnection rules. If you have a billing dispute or service complaint, reading the relevant section can help you know exactly what your utility provider is required to do. Local governments, small businesses, and legal professionals can also use the Code to check what certificates or permits apply to their situation.
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The Public Utility Commission of Texas uses this Code to regulate electric, telecommunications, and water and sewer utilities statewide. The Texas Railroad Commission relies on it for gas regulation. If you have a complaint, those agencies are your next stop after reviewing the law.
Utility bills, deposits, service disputes, and rate questions all connect back to this law. Knowing what the Code says can help you push back on an unfair charge, understand what a utility company is allowed to do, or figure out who regulates a service in your area.
