Sec. 341.041.  FEES.  (a)  The commission by rule may charge fees to a person who owns, operates, or maintains a public drinking water supply system. The commission may establish a schedule of fees.  The amount of the fees must be sufficient to cover the reasonable costs of administering the programs and services in this subchapter or the federal Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. Section 300f et seq.). Among other factors, the commission shall consider equity among persons required to pay the fees as a factor in determining the amount of the fees.  The commission may also use the fees to cover any other costs incurred to protect water resources in this state, including assessment of water quality, reasonably related to the activities of any of the persons required to pay a fee under the statutes listed in Section 5.701(q), Water Code.
(b)  The commission by rule may assess penalties and interest for late payment of fees owed by persons who own, operate, or maintain public drinking water supply systems.  Penalties and interest established under this section may not exceed the rates established for delinquent taxes under Sections 111.060 and 111.061, Tax Code.
(c)  Revenues collected by the commission under this subchapter shall be deposited to the credit of the water resource management account.
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 353, Sec. 2, eff. Sept. 1, 1993.  Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 333, Sec. 34, eff. Sept. 1, 1997;  Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 965, Sec. 3.07, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.