Senate Bill 479 Summary

• Expands utility system improvement charge (USIC) eligibility to include both water and wastewater service providers, replacing the previous distribution system improvement charge (DSIC) that applied only to water utilities.

• Increases the maximum USIC revenue cap from 5% to 10% of a public utility's base revenue level approved in its most recent general rate proceeding.

• Reduces the filing interval for USIC petitions from once every 12 months to once every three months.

• Requires public utilities to conduct annual reconciliation of USIC revenues against USIC costs and recover or refund differences through charge adjustments.

• Effective July 1, 2011, with conforming amendments and repeal of three prior DSIC-related statutory sections.