By: Nichols, Gallegos, Patrick S.B. No. 636

(In the Senate - Filed February 14, 2011; February 23, 2011, read first time and referred to Committee on Natural Resources; April 13, 2011, reported favorably by the following vote: Yeas 10, Nays 0; April 13, 2011, sent to printer.)

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the consolidation of more than one water or sewer system under a single tariff by an investor-owned utility.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Subsection (a), Section 13.145, Water Code, is amended to read as follows:

(a) A utility may consolidate more than one system under a single tariff only if:

(1) the regulatory authority finds that, at the time the utility applies for a uniform tariff, all of the systems under the tariff are substantially similar in terms of facilities, quality of service, and cost of service; and

(2) the tariff provides for rates that promote water conservation for single-family residences and landscape irrigation.

SECTION 2. The changes in law made by this Act apply only to applications for a uniform tariff filed on or after the effective date of this Act. An application filed before the effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect on the date the application is filed, and that law is continued in effect for this purpose.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2011.

* * * * *