Bill
Bill > HB5642
summary
Introduced
02/17/2026
02/17/2026
In Committee
02/17/2026
02/17/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
The purpose of this bill is to create the State Utility Accountability and Improvement Program to proactively identify and assist struggling water and wastewater utilities; establish the State Utility Management Corps within the Water Development Authority; provide for expedited Public Service Commission proceedings through a Priority Utility Docket; establish a rate case appeal mechanism for conservator utilities; create a clear tier reclassification and de-escalation pathway; provide for phased program implementation; expand the Distressed Utilities Account from $5 million to $15 million; coordinate annual utility assessments between the team and the commission; clarify the relationship between conservatorship and existing receivership authority; protect existing bond covenants during conservatorship; require training for public service district board members; authorize the Water Development Authority to house and support the team; establish transparency and accountability requirements; and declare an emergency.
AI Summary
This bill, titled the West Virginia Water and Wastewater Utility Sustainability Act, aims to proactively identify and assist struggling water and wastewater utilities by establishing the State Utility Accountability and Improvement Program. This program will create a State Utility Management Corps, housed within the Water Development Authority, to assess utilities and develop improvement plans. It also introduces an expedited "Priority Utility Docket" for regulatory proceedings involving distressed utilities and a clear pathway for utilities to improve their status and return to local control. The bill significantly increases funding for the Distressed Utilities Account from $5 million to $15 million to support these efforts, mandates training for public service district board members, and clarifies the relationship between conservatorship (temporary operational control) and existing receivership authority, while protecting bond covenants during conservatorship. The program will be implemented in phases, starting with pilot interventions before a statewide rollout.
Committee Categories
Transportation and Infrastructure
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
To House Energy and Public Works (on 02/17/2026)
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/Bills_history.cfm?input=5642&year=2026&sessiontype=RS&btype=bill |
| Fiscal Note - Public Service Commission | http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Fiscalnotes/FN(2)/fnsubmit_recordview1.cfm?RecordID=957534065 |
| Fiscal Note - Public Service Commission | http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Fiscalnotes/FN(2)/fnsubmit_recordview1.cfm?RecordID=957012679 |
| BillText | http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/bills_text.cfm?billdoc=hb5642%20intr.htm&yr=2026&sesstype=RS&i=5642 |
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