S.B. No. 2692 amends Section 13.043(c) of the Water Code to clarify the process for filing an appeal regarding certain water, drainage, or sewer rates with the Public Utility Commission of Texas. The bill specifies that an appeal must be initiated by filing a petition for review within 90 days after the effective date of the rate change or, in cases of appeals under specific subsections, within 90 days after the governing body of the municipality or affected county makes a final decision.

Additionally, the bill introduces new requirements for the petition to be signed by a specified number of ratepayers. It stipulates that the petition must be signed by either the lesser of 10,000 ratepayers or 10 percent of those whose rates have changed and are eligible to appeal, or 10 percent of those in the same customer class whose rates have changed and are eligible to appeal. This change aims to ensure that a significant portion of affected ratepayers supports the appeal before it is filed. The Act will take effect immediately if it receives a two-thirds vote from both houses; otherwise, it will take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Water Code 13.043 (Water Code 13)
Senate Committee Report: Water Code 13.043 (Water Code 13)
Engrossed: Water Code 13.043 (Water Code 13)