81R5794 TJS-D By: Brown of Kaufman H.B. No. 1245 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to the rates charged by a water and sewer utility. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 13.043(h), Water Code, is amended to read as follows: (h) The commission or executive director may[, on a motion by the executive director or by the appellant under Subsection (a), (b), or (f) of this section,] establish interim rates to be in effect until a final decision is made in an appeal filed under Subsection (a), (b), or (f). SECTION 2. Sections 13.187(b) and (l), Water Code, are amended to read as follows: (b) A copy of the statement of intent shall be mailed or delivered to the appropriate offices of each affected municipality, to the executive director, and to any [other] affected persons as required by the regulatory authority's rules. (l) At any time during the pendency of the rate proceeding the regulatory authority or, if the regulatory authority is the commission, the executive director, may fix interim rates to remain in effect until a final determination is made on the proposed rate. SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.