HB480 Alabama 2019 Session

Updated Feb 26, 2026

High Interest

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Rich Wingo
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2019
Title: Tuscaloosa Co, privately owned sewer systems that use public rights-of-way in city limits, under jurisdiction of PSC, const. amend.
Summary: HB 480 would amend the Alabama Constitution to bring certain privately owned sewer systems in Lake View, Tuscaloosa County, under Public Service Commission oversight for rates and consumer protections.
What This Bill Does
It establishes a local constitutional amendment for Tuscaloosa County to regulate privately owned sewer systems that use public rights-of-way of public roads within the Lake View city limits. If approved, the PSC would certify and regulate those systems for all customers located in Lake View and in the surrounding unincorporated areas, focusing on rates and consumer protections (not just treatment). This represents a shift from the current regime, where most privately owned sewer systems are regulated by the Alabama Department of Environmental Management for treatment but not by the PSC for rates.

Who It Affects
Residents and businesses in Lake View who are customers of these privately owned sewer systems, as their rates and consumer protections would be regulated by the Public Service Commission.
Privately owned sewer system operators in Tuscaloosa County that use public rights-of-way in Lake View, who would be certified and regulated by the PSC for those Lake View and unincorporated area customers.

Key Provisions
Applies only in Tuscaloosa County and to privately owned sewer systems that use public rights-of-way of public roads in the Lake View city limits.
These systems with Lake View residential or commercial customers billed a flat service fee or based on water usage would be certified and regulated by the PSC for all such customers in Lake View and the county's unincorporated areas.
Requires an election to approve the amendment, with ballot language describing the change and effect.
Shifts regulatory focus from current treatment-centered oversight by ADEM to PSC oversight on rates and consumer protections for the affected customers.

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