HB2863: UTILITY ACQUISITION NOTICE

Legislative Summary

Amends the Public Utilities Act. Provides that a water or sewer utility owned by the State or any political subdivision thereof and being acquired by a large public utility must inform the public of the terms of its acquisition by the large public utility by (1) holding a public meeting prior to the acquisition, (2) causing to be published, in a newspaper of general circulation in the area that the water or sewer utility operates, information about (rather than a notice setting forth) the public meeting being held prior to the acquisition, the terms of the water or sewer utility's acquisition by the large public utility, and options that shall be available to assist customers to pay their bills after the acquisition, and (3) mailing a notice 30 days prior to the public meeting to customers who will be affected by the acquisition. Provides that the notice shall be sent to the customers in the same manner as the customers' monthly bills, either by mail or electronically. Provides that the notice shall be mailed or electronically delivered with the customers' bills, on a page separate from the bill itself, and in no less than 12-point font. Provides that the notice shall include (i) information about the public meeting being held prior to the acquisition, (ii) information on the public body that will make the decision regarding the sale of the water or sewer utility, and (iii) a comparison of the current rate being charged by the water or sewer utility being acquired, the rate that is expected to be charged immediately following the acquisition, and the effect on rates if the acquisition does not proceed.