On May 12th the House Committee on Natural Resources accepted invited testimony and public testimony regarding Interim Charge 4 relating to the evaluation of the regulatory model for investor-owned water and sewer utilities, including rate case process and timing, consultant fee recovery, overall cost reductions, and more effective consumer participation.

 

During the hearing it was suggested that the water utility oversight and rate review functions currently under jurisdiction of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) be transferred over to the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC). HillCo has learned the committee is strongly considering putting together a stakeholder group to discuss common points of interest for potential legislative solutions. After the recommendations have been established, a subcommittee may be formed to address the issues raised by the stakeholder committee which may include, but not limited to, working on bill language for the 82nd Session.