Sec. 67.017. VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS ON BEHALF OF EMERGENCY SERVICES. (a) A corporation may as part of its billing process collect from its customers a voluntary contribution, including a voluntary membership or subscription fee, on behalf of a volunteer fire department or an emergency medical service.

(b) A corporation that collects contributions under this section shall provide each customer at the time that the customer first subscribes to the water or sewer service, and at least annually thereafter, a written statement:

(1) describing the procedure by which the customer may make a contribution with the customer's bill payment;

(2) designating the volunteer fire department or emergency medical service to which the corporation will deliver the contribution;

(3) informing the customer that a contribution is voluntary; and

(4) describing the deductibility status of the contribution under federal income tax law.

(c) A billing by the corporation that includes a voluntary contribution under this section must clearly state that the contribution is voluntary and that it may be deducted from the billed amount.

(d) The corporation shall promptly deliver contributions that it collects under this section to the designated volunteer fire department or emergency medical service, except that the corporation may keep from the contributions an amount equal to the lesser of:

(1) the corporation's expenses in administering the contribution program; or

(2) five percent of the amount collected as contributions.

Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 166, Sec. 2, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.