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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to rates applied to certain water or sewer systems after a |
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sale or purchase of the system. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter H, Chapter 13, Water Code, is amended |
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by adding Section 13.3011 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 13.3011. INITIAL RATES FOR CERTAIN WATER OR SEWER |
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SYSTEMS AFTER PURCHASE OR ACQUISITION. (a) A person who files an |
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application described by Section 13.301(a) for the purchase or |
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acquisition of a water or sewer system may request that the |
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regulatory authority with original jurisdiction over the rates for |
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water or sewer service provided by the person to the customers of |
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the system authorize the person to charge initial rates for the |
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service that are: |
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(1) shown in a tariff filed with a regulatory |
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authority by the person for another water or sewer system; and |
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(2) in force for the other water or sewer system on the |
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date the application described by Section 13.301(a) is filed. |
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(b) The regulatory authority may not require a person who |
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makes a request under Subsection (a) to initiate a new rate |
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proceeding to establish the initial rates for service the person |
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will provide to the customers of the purchased or acquired system. |
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SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies only |
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to a purchase or acquisition of a water or sewer system the |
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application for which is filed under Section 13.301(a), Water Code, |
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on or after the effective date of this Act. A purchase or |
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acquisition of a water or sewer system the application for which is |
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filed under Section 13.301(a), Water Code, before the effective |
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date of this Act is governed by the law in effect on the date the |
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application was filed, and the former law is continued in effect for |
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that purpose. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021. |