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