SB1446 - Relating to the discontinuation, reduction, or impairment of water service during drought conditions.

  89R5768 SCR-D     By: Menéndez S.B. No. 1446       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the discontinuation, reduction, or impairment of water   service during drought conditions.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Sections 13.250(b) and (d), Water Code, are   amended to read as follows:          (b)  Unless the utility commission issues a certificate that   neither the present nor future convenience and necessity will be   adversely affected, the holder of a certificate or a person who   possesses facilities used to provide utility service shall not   discontinue, reduce, or impair service to a certified service area   or part of a certified service area except [ for ]:                (1)   for nonpayment of charges for services provided by   the certificate holder or a person who possesses facilities used to   provide utility service;                (2)   for nonpayment of charges for sewer service   provided by another retail public utility under an agreement   between the retail public utility and the certificate holder or a   person who possesses facilities used to provide utility service or   under a utility commission-ordered arrangement between the two   service providers;                (3)   for nonuse; [ or ]                (4)   as necessary to maintain adequate water supplies   during drought conditions; or                 (5)  for other similar reasons in the usual course of   business.          (d)  Except as provided by this subsection, a retail public   utility that has not been granted a certificate of public   convenience and necessity may not discontinue, reduce, or impair   retail water or sewer service to any ratepayer without approval of   the regulatory authority. Except as provided by this subsection, a   utility or water supply corporation that is allowed to operate   without a certificate of public convenience and necessity under   Section 13.242(c) may not discontinue, reduce, or impair retail   water or sewer service to any ratepayer without the approval of the   regulatory authority. Subject to rules of the regulatory   authority, a retail public utility, utility, or water supply   corporation described in this subsection may discontinue, reduce,   or impair retail water or sewer service [ for ]:                (1)   for nonpayment of charges;                (2)   for nonuse; [ or ]                (3)   as necessary to maintain adequate water supplies   during drought conditions; or                 (4)  for other similar reasons in the usual course of   business.          SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.