HB5197 - Relating to the eligibility of ratepayers to file an appeal regarding water, drainage, or sewer rates with the Public Utility Commission of Texas.

      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.