Texas Local Government Code 232.037 – Enforcement
(a) The attorney general, or the district attorney, criminal district attorney, county attorney with felony responsibilities, or county attorney of the county may take any action necessary in a court of competent jurisdiction on behalf of the state or on behalf of residents to:
(1) enjoin the violation or threatened violation of the model rules adopted under § 16.343, Water Code;
(2) enjoin the violation or threatened violation of a requirement of this subchapter or a rule adopted by the commissioners court under this subchapter;
(3) recover civil or criminal penalties, attorney’s fees, litigation costs, and investigation costs; and
(4) require platting or replatting under § 232.040.
(b) The attorney general, at the request of the district or county attorney with jurisdiction, may conduct a criminal prosecution under § 232.033(h) or 232.036.
Terms Used In Texas Local Government Code 232.037
- Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
- Litigation: A case, controversy, or lawsuit. Participants (plaintiffs and defendants) in lawsuits are called litigants.
- Rule: includes regulation. See Texas Government Code 311.005
(c) During the pendency of any enforcement action brought, any resident of the affected subdivision, or the attorney general, district attorney, or county attorney on behalf of a resident, may file a motion against the provider of utilities to halt termination of pre-existing utility services. The services may not be terminated if the court makes an affirmative finding after hearing the motion that termination poses a threat to public health, safety, or welfare of the residents.
(d) This subchapter is subject to the applicable enforcement provisions prescribed by Sections 16.352, 16.353, 16.354, and 16.3545, Water Code.