starlocalnews.comIn The Community, With The Community, For the Community

Your Hometown:


Archives > Southlake Times > News

Legislation protecting property rights advances

Published: Tuesday, March 5, 2013 11:16 AM CST
The Senate Committee on Natural Resources on Tuesday approved SB 291 by Texas State Senator Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, to protect property owners by requiring gas utilities to notify residents in writing five days before accessing its right-of-way on residents' property.


SB 291 ensures that residents stay informed about gas utilities' activities that may affect or damage their property. Currently, gas utilities may enter property without warning to conduct business that may negatively impact a person's home.

The bill authorizes the Railroad Commission to assess $200 penalty for each entry without proper notification, with exceptions for emergencies, service restoration and regularly scheduled service readings.

"During the interim, Denton County residents learned a local gas provider intended to clear a 50-foot easement over a 12 mile stretch of right of way [in Flower Mound] to make it easier for the company to conduct aerial safety inspections," Nelson said. "Throughout this process, we were told that residents were only being notified of the project as a courtesy – that there was no legal requirement to notify residents in writing in advance of entering their property. This legislation simply puts into law a requirement that residents be notified in advance of entry to their property."



Share this Article
Bookmark and Share




Article Rating
Current Rating: 0 of 0 votes!Rate File:
Reader Comments
The following are comments from the readers.
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
You must register with a valid email to post comments.
Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.
Registered users sign in here:

*Member ID:
*Password:
Remember login?
(requires cookies)
  Forgot Your Password?
 
Become a Registered User

Do not use usernames or passwords from your financial accounts!

Note: Fields marked with an asterisk (*) are required!

*Create a Member ID:
*Choose a password:
*Re-enter password:
*E-mail Address:
*Year of Birth:
 

(children under 13 cannot register)

 
facebook twitter Click here to subscribe to our newspaper
Submit a story Submit a photo Send a Letter
May 2013
Su M Tu W Th F S
1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8 9 10 11
12 13 14 15 16 17 18
19 20 21 22 23 24 25
26 27 28 29 30 31
Event Date:
May 24th, 2013
Event Time:
9:00am - 8:00pm
Event Date:
May 26th, 2013
Event Time:
9:00am - 11:30am
Event Date:
May 27th, 2013
Event Time:
10:30am - 6:00pm