85R5510 GRM-D     By: Perez, Guillen H.B. No. 1083       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to authorizing a regulatory authority to establish reduced   water utility rates funded by donations for the benefit of 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 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.