By: Bell of Montgomery H.B. No. 5197
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the eligibility of ratepayers to file an appeal
  regarding water, drainage, or sewer rates with the Public Utility
  Commission of Texas.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 13.043(c), Water Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         (c)  An appeal under Subsection (b) must be initiated by
  filing a petition for review with the utility commission and the
  entity providing service within 90 days after the effective day of
  the rate change or, if appealing under Subdivision (b)(2) or (5),
  within 90 days after the date on which the governing body of the
  municipality or affected county makes a final decision. The
  petition must be signed by either:
               (1)  the lesser of 10,000 or 10 percent of those
  ratepayers whose rates have been changed and who are eligible to
  appeal under Subsection (b); or
               (2)  10 percent of ratepayers in a customer class whose
  rates have been changed and who are eligible to appeal under
  Subsection (b).
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
  a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
  provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
  Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
  Act takes effect September 1, 2025.