HB278 Summary

• Amends Alabama Code Sections 22-25B-2 and 37-4-1 to bring privately owned sewer systems that use public rights-of-way under Alabama Public Service Commission jurisdiction for rate and consumer protection regulation.

• Defines a new category of regulated utilities to include any privately owned plant, property, or facility for collection, treatment, or disposal of sewage that uses public rights-of-way of public roads and has residential or commercial customers billed a flat service fee or fee based on water usage.

• Removes the previous exemption for entities that assume or acquire ownership or management of wastewater systems from state, county, or local governments, renumbering subsequent exemptions accordingly.

• Maintains existing exemptions for municipalities, county governments, cooperatives, small-flow cluster systems, and wastewater systems owned by industrial facilities.

• Act becomes effective on the first day of the third month following passage and approval by the Governor.