Senate committee substitute to the 1st edition makes the following changes. Makes technical change to GS 62-111. Changes the deadline for the Utilities Commission (Commission) to issue an order approving the application if certain findings are made from 180 days to 210 days of the filing of the application. 

Inserts new Section 1(b) to the act that requires the Commission to issue an order approving applications for (1) transfer or certificates of public convenience and necessity for the transfer of a water or wastewater franchise under GS 62-111, or (2) for a certificate of public convenience and necessity to acquire control of or operate a water or wastewater system pursuant to GS 62-110, within 180 days if the following conditions are met: (i) the applications were pending when the act becomes law; (ii) the Commission finds that the proposed transfer, including adoption of the transferring utility's currently approved rates, or the requested certificate of convenience and necessity, as applicable, is in the public interest, will not  adversely affect service to the public under any existing franchise, and the person acquiring said franchise or certificate of public convenience and necessity has the technical, managerial, and financial capabilities necessary to provide public utility service to the public; and (iii) the water or wastewater system has an unresolved notice of violation issued by the Department of Environmental Quality.

Makes technical changes to the effective date and organizational changes to account for new subsection 1(b).