bill adding a petition route for water rate appeals

The text as introduced · 232 words

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.