| |
| |
|
|
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
|
|
|
AN ACT
|
|
|
relating to the appeal of rates charged for water or sewer service |
|
|
by certain retail public utilities. |
|
|
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
|
|
SECTION 1. Section 13.043(j), Water Code, is amended to |
|
|
read as follows: |
|
|
(j) In an appeal under this section, the utility commission |
|
|
shall ensure that every appealed rate is [made, demanded, or |
|
|
received by any retail public utility or by any two or more retail |
|
|
public utilities jointly shall be] just and reasonable. Rates |
|
|
shall not be unreasonably preferential, prejudicial, or |
|
|
discriminatory but shall be sufficient, equitable, and consistent |
|
|
in application to each class of customers. The utility commission |
|
|
shall use a methodology that preserves the financial integrity of |
|
|
the retail public utility. For agreements between municipalities |
|
|
the utility commission shall consider the terms of any wholesale |
|
|
water or sewer service agreement in an appellate rate proceeding. |
|
|
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021. |