SB 55 – Authorizes the Public Service Commission, during a general rate proceeding for a water corporation or sewer corporation, to set a separate, lower fixed charge or customer charge for low-income customers of water corporations and sewer corporations

• Sponsor: Crawford
• LR Number: 0297S.01I
• Committee: Commerce, Consumer Protection, Energy and the Environment
• Last Action: 3/13/2019 - SCS Voted Do Pass S Commerce, Consumer Protection, Energy and the Environment Committee (0297S.02C)
• Effective Date: August 28, 2019

Current Bill Summary

SCS/SB 55 - This act authorizes the Public Service Commission, during a general rate proceeding for a water corporation or sewer corporation, to set a separate, lower fixed charge or customer charge for low-income customers of water corporations and sewer corporations. The act also creates a definition for "low-income customer". The aggregate impact of any special low-income rate shall be limited to no more than 0.5% of the total revenue requirement allocated to the residential customer class used to set rates.

Additionally, the Public Service Commission shall not require any water or sewer corporation to verify the financial status of its customers in order to determine eligibility for a low-income program or rate. Such corporations shall be allowed to rely upon a third party or community agency to verify eligibility requirements.

This act is similar to a provision contained in SCS/HCS/HB 160 (2019).

JAMIE ANDREWS

Amendments

No Amendments Found.