Bill Text: TX HB1083 | 2017-2018 | 85th Legislature | Enrolled

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Bill Title: Relating to authorizing a regulatory authority to establish reduced water utility rates funded by donations for the benefit of certain elderly customers.

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-1)

Status: (Passed) 2017-05-26 - Effective on 9/1/17 [HB1083 Detail]

Download: Texas-2017-HB1083-Enrolled.html

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H.B. No. 1083

AN ACT
relating to authorizing a regulatory authority to establish reduced
water utility rates funded by donations for the benefit of certain
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 65 years of age or older 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.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 1083 was passed by the House on April
20, 2017, by the following vote: Yeas 130, Nays 12, 3 present, not
voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 1083 was passed by the Senate on May
19, 2017, by the following vote: Yeas 29, Nays 2.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: _____________________
Date
_____________________
Governor