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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to authorizing a regulatory authority to establish reduced |
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water and sewer utility rates funded by donations for the benefit of |
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certain low-income customers. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 13.182, Water Code, is amended by |
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amending Subsection (b-1) and adding Subsection (b-2) to read as |
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follows: |
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(b-1) In establishing a utility's rates, the regulatory |
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authority may authorize the utility to establish reduced water and |
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sewer rates for a minimal level of service to be provided solely to |
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a class of [elderly] customers who are 65 years of age or older, who |
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receive medical assistance under the medical assistance program |
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established under Chapter 32, Human Resources Code, or who receive |
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benefits under the supplemental nutrition assistance program |
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established under Chapter 33, Human Resources Code, to ensure that |
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those customers receive that level of service at more affordable |
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rates. The regulatory authority may establish requirements for |
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determining the eligibility of customers to receive reduced rates |
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under this subsection. |
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(b-2) The regulatory authority shall allow a utility to |
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establish a fund to receive donations to recover the costs of |
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providing the reduced rates under Subsection (b-1). A utility may |
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not recover those costs through charges to the utility's other |
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customer classes. |
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SECTION 2. (a) The changes in law made by this Act to |
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Section 13.182, Water Code, apply only to proceedings before a |
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regulatory authority regarding rates concerning an application |
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filed on or after January 1, 2020. Proceedings before a regulatory |
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authority regarding rates concerning an application filed before |
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January 1, 2020, are governed by the law in effect when 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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(b) The Public Utility Commission of Texas and other |
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regulatory authorities shall adopt rules as necessary to implement |
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the changes in law made by this Act not later than December 31, |
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2019. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019. |