The bill amends the Code of West Virginia by adding a new section, 24-2-4i, which establishes a process for publicly owned water and sewer utilities to implement annual rate increases based on the United States Department of Labor Statistics Water and Sewerage Maintenance Index. Effective July 1, 2025, these utilities can increase rates once a year without needing to file an application for approval, seek municipal ordinance passage, or obtain county commission approval, provided the increase does not exceed the percentage increase in the Index from the previous year. Utilities must also file a revised tariff and provide notice as directed by the commission.

Additionally, the bill allows for multiple annual indexed rate increases before a utility must seek further approval under existing provisions. Specifically, utilities with fewer than 4,500 customers and less than $3 million in annual gross revenues can implement up to four annual increases without additional approval. The commission is tasked with issuing a general order each year to state the percentage increase in the Index, and it can challenge rate increases that exceed this amount based on requests from county commissions or city councils. The bill emphasizes that any approved rate increases cannot be applied retroactively.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 24-1-1
Committee Substitute: 24-2-4i
Engrossed Committee Substitute: 24-2-4i