H. B. 2398
(By Delegates Thompson and Kiss)
[Introduced February 8, 1995; referred to the
Committee on the Judiciary.]
A BILL to amend article two, chapter twenty-four of the code of
West Virginia, one thousand nine hundred thirty-one, as
amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated section
eighteen, relating to responsibility for water bills.
Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That article two, chapter twenty-four of the code of West
Virginia, one thousand nine hundred thirty-one, as amended, be
amended by adding thereto a new section, designated section
eighteen, to read as follows:
ARTICLE 2. POWERS AND DUTIES OF PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION.
§24-2-18. Landlord's responsibility or water bills abandoned by
tenant.
The commission shall not enforce, originate, continue,
establish or otherwise authorize or permit a water bill abandoned
by a tenant to be unpaid if the landlord can be ascertained by the water company. In no event shall the landlord be responsible
for the water bill until such time as the water company certifies
all reasonable means have been taken to secure payment from the
tenant.
NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to allow water companies
to collect water bills abandoned by tenants from the landlord.
This section is new; therefore, strike-throughs and
underscoring have been omitted.