Patton Announces Passing of House Bill 364

COLUMBUS – State Rep. Tom Patton (R-Strongsville) announces that House Bill 364 has passed out of the House of Representatives this week. 

House Bill 364 is legislation that is tailored to address shortcomings of legislation passed in the 129th General Assembly as House Bill 379. House Bill 379 when passed permitted waterworks and sewage disposal companies to request up to three SIC (System Improvement Charges) filings spaced one year apart between full rate cases.

Although House Bill 379 made great progress three general assemblies ago House Bill 364 was introduced to address some of its shortcomings.

 The legislation will benefit customers, regulators and utilities alike. From the utility customers’ perspective House Bill 364 reduces the frequency of expensive and time-consuming rate cases while ensuring prudent regulatory oversight. For regulators and the utilities, the SIC (System Improvement Charges) litigation process is more straightforward and less demanding on resources.

“This bill is simple and will address several needed improvements to the current revised code in section 4909.172 which will allow waterworks and sewage disposal companies the ability to address needed quality and safety improvements on an ongoing basis without going through a rate case,” said Patton.

The legislation has passed out of the Ohio House and will now head to the Senate for further consideration.