West Virginia sets inflation-based annual rate increases for public water and sewer utilities under House Bill 4508

Original title: Public Utility Stability Act.

Last action · February 3, 2026: Markup DiscussionSponsors: John Paul Hott and 8 others

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What This Bill Proposed

House Bill 4508 establishes the Public Utility Stability Act, allowing publicly owned water and sewer utilities in West Virginia to implement annual inflation-based rate increases starting July 1, 2026, without standard commission application or municipal ordinance approval if they match the federal index.

Why it matters

Changes the approval process for water and sewer utility rates across the state, permitting utilities to adjust prices annually up to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Water and Sewerage Maintenance Index without undergoing traditional regulatory hearings.

Background

Publicly owned water and sewer utilities in West Virginia are traditionally regulated under Chapter 24 of the West Virginia Code by the Public Service Commission. context

Who It Would Have Affected

Groups the bill's text would have affected, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

publicly owned water and/or sewer utilities

Eligible to implement annual inflation-based rate increases up to four times before seeking standard statutory approvals.

Directly affected

water and sewer utility customers

Subject to annual rate adjustments tied to the federal Water and Sewerage Maintenance Index without traditional rate hearings.

Directly affected

Public Service Commission

Required to issue annual general orders detailing the inflation factor and review challenged rate increases.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is the maximum rate increase calculated?

The increase is capped at the percentage change in the United States Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics over the relevant time period.

Can utilities implement these indexed increases indefinitely without a full review?

No, utilities are restricted to implementing up to four annual indexed rate increases before they must file for rate adjustments under standard statutory provisions.

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Where This Stands

This bill did not become law - Died at adjournment · in House committee.

Procedural history

6 actions

Feb 3, 2026House
Markup Discussion
Jan 19, 2026HouseCommittee
To House Environment, Infrastructure, and Technology
Jan 19, 2026HouseCommittee
To House Energy and Public Works
Jan 19, 2026HouseIntroduced
Introduced in House
Jan 19, 2026HouseCommittee
To Energy and Public Works
Jan 19, 2026HouseIntroduced
Filed for introduction

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.

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