HF 4704

as introduced - 93rd Legislature (2023 - 2024) Posted on 03/07/2024 02:43pm

A bill for an act
relating to utilities; requiring water utilities to allow residential customers to decline
installation of an advanced water meter; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota
Statutes, chapter 444.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

new text begin [444.0751] ADVANCED WATER METERS; CUSTOMER OPT-OUT
OPTION.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

new text begin (a) For the purposes of this section, the following terms have
the meanings given.
new text end

new text begin (b) "Advanced meter" means a meter that records a customer's water usage in real time
and uses wireless communications technology to transmit water usage data to a central
server to be analyzed and used for billing or other purposes.
new text end

new text begin (c) "Water utility" has the meaning given in section 444.25, subdivision 1.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Required opt-out option. new text end

new text begin Before installing an advanced meter on a residential
customer's property, a water utility must provide written notice to the customer of the
customer's right to decline to have an advanced meter installed. The notice must specify the
impacts on the customer's bill of a decision to decline an advanced water meter, including
(1) additional payments and how additional payments are calculated, and (2) the customer's
ineligibility to participate in any advanced rate design programs offered by the water utility
that require operation of an advanced meter.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end