Monitoring the SessionHB 2184
Died in committee
Initial review · graded Oct 20, 2026 · Headline, summary and grade are analysis of the bill text, not a finding about any person · How we grade
relating to a tenant's right to terminate a residential lease following certain outages of essential utilities.
Caption from analyzed text · version I.
Electricity, gas or water out 48 hours after written notice? End the lease, skip future rent.
The bill lets a renter end a home lease early and walk away from future rent if electricity, natural gas, or water goes out because of severe weather and stays out for 48 hours after the renter tells the landlord in writing. It touches residential tenants and landlords on leases signed or renewed on or after January 1, 2026. The right does not apply when a utility company cuts service on purpose, and the tenant still owes any past-due rent and damage beyond normal wear and tear.
Labels: ZOMBIE BILL. Died 2 times: 88R HB 1173 (Died in committee) and this bill (Died in committee). Checked against 88R only.BACK FROM THE DEAD. Same text as a bill filed before that died: 88R HB 1173 (Died in committee). Filed in 2 sessions, counting this one. Checked against 88R only.TRY NO. 2. Filed in 2 sessions: 88R and 89R. Checked against 88R only.NEVER GOT A HEARING. Filed Jan 28, 2025 and referred to the House Trade, Workforce & Economic Development committee. No public hearing. The bill died.
89R-HB2184 · 2025-01-28
relating to a tenant's right to terminate a residential lease following certain outages of essential utilities.
Electricity, gas or water out 48 hours after written notice? End the lease, skip future rent.
The bill lets a renter end a home lease early and walk away from future rent if electricity, natural gas, or water goes out because of severe weather and stays out for 48 hours after the renter tells the landlord in writing. It touches residential tenants and landlords on leases signed or renewed on or after January 1, 2026. The right does not apply when a utility company cuts service on purpose, and the tenant still owes any past-due rent and damage beyond normal wear and tear.
[ ] NONE FOUND
No fiscal note in the loaded record.
DATA CENTERS, WATER AND THE GRID
THE TEXT
…“a tenant of a dwelling that does not have an essential utility due to an outage caused directly or indirectly by severe weather conditions may terminate the tenant's lease”…
Bill text, introduced version (I)
The bill decides who carries the cost of a weather-caused power, gas, or water outage by letting renters leave their lease without owing future rent.
THANK YOU FOR CHECKING THE RECEIPT
CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY
Not tied to this bill.
The author's campaign account only. Own money and internal transfers are separate on the member page.
Derived itemized flow · Nov 1, 2024 to Jun 30, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.
$7,000.00
Also funds 9 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Feb 3, 2026 to Sep 21, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
TEC account match.
TeamDerived itemized flow · on May 26, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.
Report IDs: 101059960.
$4,000.00
Also funds 137 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Jul 24, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
TEC account match.
TeamDerived itemized flow · Dec 13, 2024 to Oct 1, 2025. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.
Report IDs: 100985189, 101032865.
$4,000.00
Also funds 121 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Jul 3, 2024 to Oct 24, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
TEC account match.
TeamDerived itemized flow · on Dec 13, 2024. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.
Report IDs: 100985189.
Missing data does not establish zero giving. Display amounts are rounded.
$7,000.00
Also funds 9 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Feb 3, 2026 to Sep 21, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
TEC account match.
TeamDerived itemized flow · on May 26, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.
Report IDs: 101059960.
$4,000.00
Also funds 137 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Jul 24, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
TEC account match.
TeamDerived itemized flow · Dec 13, 2024 to Oct 1, 2025. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.
Report IDs: 100985189, 101032865.
$4,000.00
Also funds 121 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Jul 3, 2024 to Oct 24, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
TEC account match.
TeamDerived itemized flow · on Dec 13, 2024. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.
Report IDs: 100985189.
No floor vote loaded for this bill.
No fiscal note in the loaded record.
Analysis of text version I by claude-opus-5-5, Oct 20, 2026, against the published rubric.
Filed 2 times: 88R and 89R. Checked against 88R only.
by Rep. Meza, same lead author · Died in committee · same text
Introduced textLast action, Mar 2, 2023: Referred to Business & Industry
Relating to a tenant's right to terminate a residential lease following certain outages of essential utilities.
Caption, 88R bill history
Texas House · Filed Jan 28, 2025
03/14/2025 H Referred to Trade, Workforce & Economic Development: Mar 14 2025 2:36PM
Texas Legislature Online · Introduced
Data snapshot Oct 26, 2026 at 4:19 AM CDT. Grades, charges, quotes and corrections follow the published record.
House committee · Trade, Workforce & Economic Development · Final status: Died in committee
Disaster Preparedness & Relief
Property Interests--Landlord & Tenant
Utilities--General
The text as introduced · 335 words
89R5181 RAL-D By: Meza H.B. No. 2184 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to a tenant's right to terminate a residential lease following certain outages of essential utilities. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 92, Property Code, is amended by adding Section 92.0175 to read as follows: Sec. 92.0175. RIGHT TO VACATE AND AVOID LIABILITY FOLLOWING OUTAGE OF ESSENTIAL UTILITY. (a) In this section, "essential utility" means: (1) electricity; (2) natural gas; or (3) water. (b) Notwithstanding any other law and except as provided by Subsection (c), a tenant of a dwelling that does not have an essential utility due to an outage caused directly or indirectly by severe weather conditions may terminate the tenant's lease, vacate the dwelling, and avoid liability for future rent and any other sums due under the lease for terminating the lease and vacating the dwelling before the end of the lease term if: (1) the tenant notifies the landlord in writing of the interruption of the essential utility; (2) the essential utility has not been restored before 48 hours after the tenant notified the landlord; and (3) the tenant notifies the landlord in writing of the tenant's intent to immediately terminate the lease because the essential utility was not restored. (c) This section does not apply during the period a dwelling does not have an essential utility because a utility service provider intentionally interrupted provision of a utility service. (d) This section does not affect the obligations or liability of the tenant under the lease before the lease is terminated under this section, including the liability of the tenant for: (1) delinquent, unpaid rent; and (2) damages to the leased premises not caused by normal wear and tear. SECTION 2. Section 92.0175, Property Code, as added by this Act, applies only to a lease agreement entered into or renewed on or after the effective date of this Act. SECTION 3. This Act takes effect January 1, 2026.