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.