Legislation regarding municipal utilities signed into law

Legislation authored by State Representative Ron Bacon (R-Chandler) regarding municipal utility services was signed into law by Governor Pence.

House Enrolled Act (HEA) 1187 arose from constituent concerns in Warrick County and specifies in Indiana Code that a municipal utility’s offering or providing of water or wastewater service in an area outside of their corporate boundaries is under the jurisdiction of the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC).

“HEA 1187 is a preemptive measure that prevents communities from having to turn to the courts when conflicts arise as to who provides sewage services to overlapping areas,” said Rep. Bacon. “Historically, such conflicts like in Chandler and Newburgh have negatively impacted both ratepayers and taxpayers, so my goal in authoring this legislation is to provide a shorter, clearer path to resolving these problems.”

HEA 1187 also establishes the specific criteria that the IURC must consider in resolving service disputes involving municipal utilities.

“This is not about alleviating just one confined disagreement,” said Rep. Bacon. “Rather, this is about enacting good policy that ensures the well-being of Indiana’s communities, customers and businesses alike.”