HB1918 - Relating to Class A water and sewer utility rate increases.

  89R4115 SCR-F     By: Walle H.B. No. 1918       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to Class A water and sewer utility rate increases.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 13.187, Water Code, is amended by   amending Subsection (p) and adding Subsection (q) to read as   follows:          (p)  Except to implement a rate adjustment provision   approved by the regulatory authority by rule or ordinance, as   applicable, or to adjust the rates of a newly acquired utility   system, a utility or two or more utilities under common control and   ownership may not file a statement of intent to increase its rates   more than once in a 36-month [ 12-month ] period, unless the   regulatory authority determines that a financial hardship exists.     If the regulatory authority requires the utility to deliver a   corrected statement of intent, the utility is not considered to be   in violation of the 36-month [ 12-month ] filing requirement.           (q)     A rate change under this section may not result in a rate   increase to any class or category of ratepayer of more than 20   percent.          SECTION 2.  The changes in law made by this Act apply only to   an application for a rate increase that is filed on or after the   effective date of this Act.  An application that is filed before the   effective date of this Act is subject to the law in effect at that   time, and that law is continued in effect for that purpose.          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.