Bill Summary for S 515 (2023-2024)

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Summary date: 

Apr 18 2023

Bill Information:

View NCGA Bill Details2023-2024 Session
Senate Bill 515 (Public) Filed Monday, April 3, 2023
AN ACT TO LENGTHEN THE TIME FOR WHICH THE UTILITIES COMMISSION MAY SUSPEND PROPOSED RATES OF A PUBLIC UTILITY AND WATER AND SEWER INVESTMENT PLAN IMPLEMENTATION PENDING INVESTIGATION, TO REQUIRE LOCAL GOVERNMENT WATER AND SEWER SERVICE PROVIDERS TO DETERMINE IF THE SALE OF A WATER OR SEWER SYSTEM IS IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST, AND TO REQUIRE A PUBLIC HEARING FOR CERTAIN RATES, FEES, AND CHARGES FOR CUSTOMERS OUTSIDE THE JURISDICTIONAL BOUNDARIES OF THE UNIT OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT PROVIDING THE WATER OR SEWER SERVICE.
Intro. by Sawyer, Perry, Lazzara.

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Bill summary

Senate committee substitute to the 1st edition makes the following changes.

Revises new GS 162A-19.1 to limit the requirement for local government service providers to hold a hearing and determine that the sale of a water and sewer system is in the public interest, to only sales to private companies.

Amends new GS 162A-19.2, revising the limitations set forth for local government service providers establishing an increase in the rates, fees, or charges for water or sewer system customers outside of its jurisdictional boundaries. No longer provides two distinct manners in which local government service providers can establish such an increase that include surcharges and capital fees. Instead generally authorizes the imposition of rates, fees, and charges that exceed the charges to customers inside its boundaries so long as the charges are just and equitable and based on the same factors used in fixing the rates, fees, and charges of customers inside its boundaries. Requires a public hearing when the total of all rates, fees, and charges, excluding tap fees and impact fees, exceeds 25% of those charged to customer inside its boundaries, to demonstrate that the charges are just and equitable and based on the same factors used in fixing that of customers inside its boundaries. Adds that these provisions do not prohibit charging a tap fee or impact fee separately.