A government-operated utility generally may not disclose a customer's personal information or usage/billing details unless the customer asks for disclosure.
Sec. 182.052. DISCLOSURE OF PERSONAL INFORMATION. (a) Except as provided by Section 182.054, a government-operated utility may not disclose personal information in a customer's account record, or any information relating to the volume or units of utility usage or the amounts billed to or collected from the individual for utility usage, unless the customer requests that the government-operated utility disclose the information. (b) A customer may request disclosure of information described by Subsection (a) by delivering to the government-operated utility an appropriately marked form provided under Subsection (c)(2) or any other written request for disclosure. (c) A government-operated utility shall include with a bill sent to each customer or shall post on the utility's Internet website: (1) a notice of the customer's right to request disclosure under this section; and (2) a form by which the customer may request disclosure by marking an appropriate box on the form and returning it to the government-operated utility, either by mail or electronically. (d) A customer may rescind a request for disclosure under this section by providing the government-operated utility a written request to withhold the customer's personal information beginning on the date the utility receives the request. (e) A governmental body as defined by Section 552.003, Government Code, may withhold information prohibited from being disclosed under this section without the necessity of requesting a decision from the attorney general under Subchapter G, Chapter 552, Government Code. Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 166, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997. Amended by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 966, Sec. 2.59, eff. Sept. 1, 2001. Amended by: Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 692 (H.B. 685), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2015. Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1025 (H.B. 872), Sec. 3, eff. June 18, 2021. Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1025 (H.B. 872), Sec. 4, eff. June 18, 2021.