HB4953 HFAT Shott 2-26

Casto 3264

Delegate Shott moved to amend the bill by striking out the title and substituting therefor a new title, to read as follows:

Eng. House Bill No. 4953 -- H. B. 4953 -- A Bill to amend and reenact §8-12-17 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; to amend and reenact §8-16-18 of said code; to amend and reenact §8-19-4 of said code; to amend and reenact §8-20-10 of said code; to amend and reenact §16-13-16 of said code; to amend and reenact §16-13A-9 of said code; to amend and reenact §24-2-1, §24-2-4a, and §24-2-11 of said code; and to amend said code by adding thereto a new article, designated §24-2H-1, §24-2H-2, §24-2H-3, §24-2H-4, §24-2H-5, §24-2H-6, §24-2H-7, §24-2H-8, and §24-2H-9; and to amend and reenact §31-15A-9 of said code, all relating to authorizing the Public Service Commission to protect the consumers of distressed and failing water and wastewater utilities by ordering various corrective measures up to and including acquisition of a failing utility by a capable water or wastewater utility; clarifying Public Service Commission jurisdiction over water and sewer utilities owned by political subdivisions; establishing uniformity in the class of publications required by municipalities and public service districts for the revision in rates; providing a time period for the filing of and resolution of complaints filed at the Public Service Commission regarding actions of public service districts and municipalities; cleaning up language regarding reference to other sections of the code regarding notice requirements for municipal utilities; and regarding the time period pertaining to the filing of appeals and the resolution of the appeals for rate and construction projects decided by county commissions; adding language to allow the  commission to order the acquisition of failing water and wastewater utilities; and allowing water and/or wastewater utilities access to public funds at below market rates and grants to repair, replace and improve acquired failing utilities.

Adopted

Rejected