Bill > AB532

This bill establishes a voluntary water rate assistance program for urban retail water suppliers in California, allowing them to provide financial support to low-income ratepayers. The bill defines water rate assistance as any reduction in water service costs, such as bill discounts, account credits, or crisis assistance to help with water bill arrearages. Public urban retail water suppliers can provide assistance to residential ratepayers with annual household incomes at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty guideline, or to other ratepayers based on community needs. Suppliers can use available funding for these programs, excluding funds from certain constitutional fees, and may seek voluntary contributions from ratepayers to support the assistance. Starting January 1, 2028, water suppliers must include details about their water rate assistance programs in their technical reports to the State Water Resources Control Board, including the amount of funding used, number of eligible households helped, and voluntary contributions collected. The bill also requires the state board to conduct a voluntary survey of urban retail water suppliers by July 1, 2026. Notably, this bill repeals previous requirements related to the Low Income Household Water Assistance Program and aims to support the state's established policy that every human being has the right to safe, clean, affordable, and accessible water.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance, Government Affairs, Transportation and Infrastructure

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB532