Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel

Legislation to change water and sewer utilities rates and regulations (House Bill 379)

The Ohio House of Representatives has introduced legislation that would allow water and sewer companies more leeway in how they collect certain costs from their customers.

House Bill 379 would allow water and sewer utilities to seek collection of more costs in rate cases, establish a surcharge on customers’ bills to collect state and federal taxes on a more timely basis, and increase customers’ rates by up to 15 percent outside of filing a formal rate case by applying a system improvement charge to customer’s bills.

The Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel is working with the legislature to encourage amendments that would better protect customers from these increases to their water and sewer bills.

Legislation

• Download House Bill 379

Testimony

• Testimony of Amy Kurt, Director of Government Affairs – March 14, 2012
  Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel

OCC has had to cancel many of its services, including its consumer call center, due to recent budget cuts. We realize you may continue to need assistance with your utility services. OCC's website provides free access to publications and resources.

You may seek assistance with utility complaints from the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio:
800-686-7826. For complaints about non-utility related services, you may call the Ohio Attorney General
at 800-282-0515.