87R6824 JXC-F
 
  By: Cortez H.B. No. 3689
 
 
 
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.