BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 1778

By: Alvarado

Natural Resources

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Utility customers have raised concerns regarding the methods that customers may use for initiation, transfer, or termination of retail water or sewer service. S.B. 1778 seeks to authorize a retail public utility to initiate, transfer, or terminate a customer's retail water or sewer service on receipt of a customer request.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

S.B. 1778 amends the Water Code to authorize a retail public utility to initiate, transfer, or terminate a customer's retail water or sewer service on receipt of a customer request by mail, by telephone, through a website, or through another electronic transmission.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2023.