TX SB2161

Allows ratepayers of municipally owned water or sewer utilities who reside outside the municipality's corporate limits to challenge rates they allege are excessive

Enables prevailing ratepayers represented by an attorney to recover reasonable attorney fees, expert witness fees, and other costs if the regulatory authority finds the utility's rate increase had no basis in fact or law

Requires the utility commission to determine and fix the amount of attorney's fees to be recovered

Applies only to appeals filed on or after September 1, 2025; appeals filed before that date remain governed by prior law

Amends Section 13.043 of the Texas Water Code by adding Subsection (e-1)