WV HB5642

Establishes the State Utility Accountability and Improvement Program to provide proactive intervention for struggling water and wastewater utilities, administered by a newly created State Utility Management Corps housed within the Water Development Authority

Creates a four-tier classification system for utilities (Stable, At Risk, Declining, Critical) based on annual risk assessments evaluating financial stability, regulatory compliance, infrastructure condition, and management capacity

Authorizes the Public Service Commission to appoint conservators with full operational control over Tier 4 critical utilities, with conservatorship lasting up to 24 months and extendable for an additional 12 months

Requires mandatory training of at least 6 hours initially and every 2 years thereafter for governing body members, board members, and senior managers of public water and wastewater utilities, effective January 1, 2027

Establishes a Priority Utility Docket for expedited PSC proceedings involving distressed utilities, with rate cases to be decided within 180 days and emergency matters within 72 hours