85R5510 GRM-D
By: Perez, Guillen H.B. No. 1083
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to authorizing a regulatory authority to establish reduced
water utility rates funded by donations for the benefit of elderly
customers.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 13.182, Water Code, is amended by
amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsection (b-1) to read as
follows:
(b) Except as provided by Subsection (b-1), rates may [Rates
shall] not be unreasonably preferential, prejudicial, or
discriminatory but shall be sufficient, equitable, and consistent
in application to each class of consumers.
(b-1) In establishing a utility's rates, the regulatory
authority may authorize the utility to establish reduced rates for
a minimal level of service to be provided solely to a class of
elderly customers to ensure that those customers receive that level
of service at more affordable rates. The regulatory authority
shall allow a utility to establish a fund to receive donations to
recover the costs of providing the reduced rates. A utility may not
recover those costs through charges to the utility's other customer
classes.
SECTION 2. Section 13.189, Water Code, is amended by adding
Subsection (c) to read as follows:
(c) For purposes of this section, a reduced rate authorized
under Section 13.182(b-1) does not:
(1) make or grant an unreasonable preference or
advantage to any corporation or person;
(2) subject a corporation or person to an unreasonable
prejudice or disadvantage; or
(3) constitute an unreasonable difference as to rates
of service between classes of service.
SECTION 3. (a) The changes in law made by this Act apply
only to proceedings before a regulatory authority regarding water
utility rates concerning an application filed on or after January
1, 2018. Proceedings before a regulatory authority regarding water
utility rates concerning an application filed before January 1,
2018, are governed by the law in effect when the application was
filed, and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose.
(b) The Public Utility Commission of Texas and other
regulatory authorities shall adopt rules as necessary to implement
the changes in law made by this Act not later than December 31,
2017.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.