Tex.
Health & Safety Code Section 361.652
Liability of Fiduciaries
(a)
Except as otherwise provided by Subchapter I (Purpose), Chapter 26 (Water Quality Control), Water Code, or rules adopted under that subchapter, the liability of a fiduciary under this code or the Water Code for the release or threatened release of solid waste at, from, or in connection with a solid waste facility held in a fiduciary capacity does not exceed the assets held in the fiduciary capacity.(b)
Subsection (a) does not apply to the extent that a person is liable independently of the person’s ownership of a solid waste facility as a fiduciary or actions taken in a fiduciary capacity.(c)
Subsections (a) and (d) do not limit the liability pertaining to a release or threatened release of solid waste if negligence, gross negligence, or wilful misconduct of a fiduciary causes or contributes to the release or threatened release.(d)
Except as otherwise provided by Subchapter I (Purpose), Chapter 26 (Water Quality Control), Water Code, or rules adopted under that subchapter, a fiduciary is not liable in the fiduciary’s personal capacity under this code or the Water Code for:(1)
undertaking or directing another person to undertake a response action under the national contingency plan adopted under 42 U.S.C. Section 9605, under a commission-approved cleanup plan, or under the direction of an on-scene coordinator designated under the national contingency plan or a commission-approved cleanup plan;(2)
undertaking or directing another person to undertake any other lawful means of addressing solid waste in connection with the solid waste facility;(3)
terminating the fiduciary relationship;(4)
including in the terms of the fiduciary agreement a covenant, warranty, or other term or condition that relates to compliance with an environmental law or monitoring or enforcing the term or condition;(5)
monitoring or undertaking one or more inspections of the solid waste facility;(6)
providing financial or other advice or counseling to other parties to the fiduciary relationship, including the settlor or beneficiary;(7)
restructuring, renegotiating, or otherwise altering the terms and conditions of the fiduciary relationship;(8)
administering, as a fiduciary, a solid waste facility that was contaminated before the fiduciary relationship began; or(9)
declining to take an action described by Subdivisions (2)-(8).(e)
This section does not:(1)
affect a right, immunity, or defense available under this code or the Water Code that is applicable to a person subject to this section;(2)
create any liability for a person; or(3)
create a private right of action against a fiduciary or any other person.(f)
This section does not apply to a person if the person:(1)
acts in a capacity other than that of a fiduciary or in a beneficiary capacity and, in that capacity, directly or indirectly benefits from a trust or fiduciary relationship; or(2)
is a beneficiary and a fiduciary with respect to the same fiduciary estate and, as a fiduciary, receives benefits that exceed customary or reasonable compensation, and incidental benefits, permitted under other applicable law.(g)
This section does not preclude a claim under this code or the Water Code against:(1)
the assets of the estate or trust administered by the fiduciary; or(2)
a nonemployee agent or independent contractor retained by a fiduciary.
Source:
Section 361.652 — Liability of Fiduciaries, https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/HS/htm/HS.361.htm#361.652 (accessed Jun. 5, 2024).
