Texas Utilities Code 186.051 – Definitions
Terms Used In Texas Utilities Code 186.051
- Assets: (1) The property comprising the estate of a deceased person, or (2) the property in a trust account.
- Contract: A legal written agreement that becomes binding when signed.
- Corporation: A legal entity owned by the holders of shares of stock that have been issued, and that can own, receive, and transfer property, and carry on business in its own name.
- Person: includes corporation, organization, government or governmental subdivision or agency, business trust, estate, trust, partnership, association, and any other legal entity. See Texas Government Code 311.005
- Property: means real and personal property. See Texas Government Code 311.005
- Real property: Land, and all immovable fixtures erected on, growing on, or affixed to the land.
In this subchapter:
(1) “Cable operator” means an entity that owns or operates a cable system, as that term is defined by 47 U.S.C. § 522, as amended.
(2) “Common carrier” means a common carrier as described by Section 111.002, Natural Resources Code, or a person who submits to regulation by the state as a common carrier under Article 2.01, Texas Business Corporation Act.
(3) “Energy transporter” means a person who gathers or transports oil, gas, or oil and gas products by pipeline.
(4) “Railroad” means an entity that owns, operates, or controls a railroad or property or assets owned or previously owned by a railroad in this state, including agents, assignees, or parties that by contract own, control, or manage railroad rights-of-way, easements, or other real property rights belonging to a railroad. The term includes interurban and street railroads owned by a private entity but excludes a terminal railroad and a railroad or interurban and street railroad owned by a governmental entity, including a navigation district or port authority, or a wharf.
(5) “Railroad right-of-way” means the real property rights owned or controlled by a railroad, including fee and easement interests used or previously used as a railroad operating corridor.
(6) “Utility” means:
(A) a gas, water, electric, or telecommunications entity that is defined as a utility under the laws of this state;
(B) an electric cooperative; or
(C) a municipally owned utility.