Bill > HB944

This bill modifies existing Pennsylvania law regarding the fees paid to utility valuation experts during water and wastewater system acquisitions. Currently, these experts' fees can be included in transaction costs, but the bill changes how those fees are calculated and approved. Instead of a previously undefined fee structure, the bill now specifies that utility valuation experts will be paid at an hourly rate deemed reasonable by the Public Utility Commission (PUC). The experts must submit detailed documentation for each hour billed, and the total fees are subject to PUC review and approval before payment. Importantly, the bill caps the total fees at 5% of the fair market value of the selling utility, providing a clear maximum limit. The new provisions aim to bring more transparency and oversight to the process of evaluating utility acquisitions by ensuring that expert fees are documented, reasonable, and within a defined limit. The bill will take effect 60 days after its enactment.

Government Affairs

https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/bill_history.cfm?syear=2025&sind=0&body=H&type=B&bn=944