HB278 Alabama 2018 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Arnold MooneyRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2018

Title

Private sewer systems, regulation by Public Service Commission authorized, Secs. 22-25B-2, 37-4-1 am'd.

Summary

HB 278 would bring certain privately owned sewer systems that use public road rights-of-way under Public Service Commission oversight for rates and consumer protections.

What This Bill Does

The bill amends existing law to subject privately owned sewer systems that use public rights-of-way of public roads to Public Service Commission regulation. Currently, these systems are regulated by the Alabama Department of Environmental Management mainly for sewage treatment, not PSC rates or consumer protections. The bill defines such systems as utilities under PSC rules, enabling PSC to regulate their rates, service standards, and consumer protections. It also sets an effective date (the first day of the third month after approval).

Who It Affects

• Private sewer system owners/operators that use public road rights-of-way and serve residential or commercial customers (would become subject to PSC rate and service regulation).
• Residential and commercial customers served by these private sewer systems (could see PSC oversight of charges and service standards).
• Alabama Public Service Commission (gains jurisdiction over these systems as regulated utilities).

Key Provisions

• Adds privately owned sewer plants that use public rights-of-way of public roads and bill residential or commercial customers (flat fees or fees based on water usage) to the definition of utilities under PSC regulation.
• Allows these systems to be regulated by the PSC for rates, service regulation, and consumer protections, aligning them with other utilities.
• Maintains the existing exemption framework in Section 22-25B-2, while creating a new category that would be regulated if not exempt.
• Sets the act’s effective date as the first day of the third month following passage and governor approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Sewage Treatment