| |
| |
|
|
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
|
|
|
AN ACT
|
|
|
relating to rate change proceedings for certain water and sewer |
|
|
utilities. |
|
|
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
|
|
SECTION 1. Section 13.18715, Water Code, is amended by |
|
|
adding Subsection (d) to read as follows: |
|
|
(d) Notwithstanding Section 13.1871, when the regulatory |
|
|
authority sets a complaint for hearing under Section 13.1871(i): |
|
|
(1) the regulatory authority shall suspend the |
|
|
effective date of the rate change; and |
|
|
(2) until a final determination is made on the |
|
|
utility's proposed rate, the utility may not charge or collect a |
|
|
rate other than the rate the utility charged immediately before the |
|
|
utility filed the rate change application. |
|
|
SECTION 2. Section 13.1872, Water Code, is amended by |
|
|
adding Subsection (g) to read as follows: |
|
|
(g) Notwithstanding Section 13.1871, when the regulatory |
|
|
authority sets a complaint for hearing under Section 13.1871(i): |
|
|
(1) the regulatory authority shall suspend the |
|
|
effective date of the rate change; and |
|
|
(2) until a final determination is made on the |
|
|
utility's proposed rate, the utility may not charge or collect a |
|
|
rate other than the rate the utility charged immediately before the |
|
|
utility filed the rate change application. |
|
|
SECTION 3. The changes in law made by this Act apply only to |
|
|
a proceeding affecting the rates of a Class C or Class D utility, as |
|
|
defined by Section 13.002, Water Code, that commences on or after |
|
|
the effective date of this Act. A proceeding affecting the rates of |
|
|
a Class C or Class D utility that commenced before the effective |
|
|
date of this Act is governed by the law in effect on the date the |
|
|
proceeding is commenced, and that law is continued in effect for |
|
|
that purpose. |
|
|
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021. |