Bill
Bill > HB3527
OR HB3527
Relating to water utility ratepayer assistance; prescribing an effective date.
summary
Introduced
02/11/2025
02/11/2025
In Committee
03/27/2025
03/27/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2025 Legislative Measures
Bill Summary
The statement includes a measure digest written in compliance with applicable readability standards. Digest: Creates a fund to help households with low incomes with water, stormwater and sewer bill payments. (Flesch Readability Score: 63.6). Digest: Creates a fund to help low-income households with water and sewer bill payments. (Flesch Readability Score: 63.4). Establishes the Public Drinking Water , Stormwater and Sewer Ratepayer Assistance Fund. Directs the Housing and Community Services Department to provide grants from moneys in the fund to qualified organizations to distribute water , stormwater and sewer bill payment assistance to low-income residential households. Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.
AI Summary
This bill establishes the Public Drinking Water, Stormwater and Sewer Ratepayer Assistance Fund to help low-income households pay their water, stormwater, and sewer utility bills. The fund will be housed in the State Treasury and can receive money from various sources, including gifts, grants, and donations. The Housing and Community Services Department will be responsible for providing grants from this fund to qualified organizations, which can include nonprofit community-based organizations like housing authorities, community action agencies, and public utilities that provide water, stormwater, or sewer services. When creating rules for administering the fund, the department will consider other utility bill payment assistance programs, such as the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Act. The bill also appropriates $11 million from the General Fund to the new assistance fund for the 2025-2027 biennium, with the legislation taking effect 91 days after the 2025 regular legislative session adjourns. The primary goal is to provide financial support to low-income residential households struggling to pay essential water and utility services.
Committee Categories
Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance
Sponsors (8)
Annessa Hartman (D)*,
Ken Helm (D)*,
Mark Owens (R)*,
Mark Gamba (D),
David Gomberg (D),
James Manning (D),
Kevin Mannix (R),
Jules Walters (D),
Last Action
Referred to Ways and Means by prior reference. (on 03/27/2025)
Official Document
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