AGREEMENTS WITH OTHER POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS FOR COLLECTION OF PAST DUE UTILITY OR SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL SERVICE FEES

(a) A municipality that operates a utility system, as defined by Section 552.001, or provides solid waste disposal services may enter an agreement for the collection of unpaid utility charges or solid waste disposal services fees with: (1) another municipality that operates a utility system; (2) a county or public agency that provides solid waste disposal services; or (3) another political subdivision acting on behalf of a municipality, county, or public agency to assist in the collection of unpaid utility charges or solid waste disposal fees. (b) The agreement may provide that a municipality: (1) may refuse to provide utility service to a person if the person is past due on utility charges or solid waste disposal services fees owed to another party to the agreement; or (2) may collect an amount equal to the past due utility charges or solid waste disposal services fees owed to another party to the agreement plus a service charge and provide the utility service the person requests. (c) The agreement shall provide for: (1) the confidentiality of a person's utility or solid waste disposal account information and the prevention of disclosure to a person or other entity that is not a party to the agreement; and (2) the apportionment of any past due charges, fees, and service charges authorized by Subsection (b)(2) between the collecting entity and the entity to which the fees are owed.