| |
| |
|
|
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
|
|
|
AN ACT
|
|
|
relating to notice to ratepayers regarding a water rate increase. |
|
|
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
|
|
SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 13, Water Code, is amended |
|
|
by adding Section 13.005 to read as follows: |
|
|
Sec. 13.005. NOTICE OF RATE INCREASE AND FINANCIAL |
|
|
ASSISTANCE RESOURCES. (a) A retail public utility that intends to |
|
|
increase its rates must provide notice to each ratepayer of: |
|
|
(1) the reason or reasons for the proposed rate |
|
|
increase; and |
|
|
(2) any bill payment assistance program available to |
|
|
low-income ratepayers. |
|
|
(b) A retail public utility shall provide the notice |
|
|
required by Subsection (a): |
|
|
(1) with the statement of intent required by Section |
|
|
13.187; or |
|
|
(2) if the retail public utility is not required to |
|
|
provide a statement of intent under Section 13.187, with the first |
|
|
billing statement the retail public utility sends to ratepayers |
|
|
after the date the retail public utility announces its intent to |
|
|
increase rates. |
|
|
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2011. |