Honorable Lyle Larson, Chair, House Committee on Natural Resources
FROM:
John McGeady, Assistant Director Sarah Keyton, Assistant Director Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB4246 by Nevárez (Relating to nonsubmetered billing for water or wastewater service.), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend the Water Code to set forth requirements governing non-submetered master metered utility service billing by municipally owned utilities. The bill provides that a municipally owned utility may not charge a dwelling unit base charge for nonsubmetered master metered utility service.
According to the Public Utility Commission (PUC), the bill would have no significant fiscal impact and the provisions of the bill could be implemented using existing resources.
Local Government Impact
According to PUC, the bill may have a local impact as it affects municipally owned utilities; however, the agency cannot determine any impact at this time.
According to the Texas Municipal League, there would be a fiscal impact for any municipally owned utility that currently charges a dwelling unit base charge for nonsubmetered master metered utility service because those charges would not be allowed under the bill. Provisions of the bill that provide an appeal to PUC could also result in cities incurring costs in regard to those appeals.