CT HB05201

Effective October 1, 2022, amends section 16-262o of Connecticut General Statutes to modify water company acquisition procedures by the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority in consultation with the Department of Public Health.

Adds public health concerns as an explicit consideration factor when determining the most suitable public or private entity to acquire a water company, specifically including closed or active consent decrees or deficiencies identified by the Department of Public Health.

Requires the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority to consider five factors when selecting an acquiring entity: geographical proximity of the acquiring entity's plant, financial/managerial/technical resources, current customer rates, public health concerns, and any other relevant factors.

Authorizes recovery through rates of all reasonable costs of acquisition and necessary improvements for both public and private acquiring entities.

Permits public entities acquiring water companies beyond their boundaries to charge customers for water service and recover acquisition and improvement costs through rates as determined by the public entity's governing body.