AN ACT providing that if the utilities commission approves a flat rate to be charged by a water or sewer utility for water or sewer services to contiguous dwelling units, the lessor of the units may pass through and charge the tenants that same flat rate.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.  G.S. 62‑110 reads as rewritten:
"§ 62‑110.  Certificate of convenience and necessity.
…
(g)	In addition to the authority to issue a certificate of public convenience and necessity and establish rates otherwise granted in this Chapter, for the purpose of encouraging water conservation, the Commission may, consistent with the public interest, adopt procedures that allow a lessor to charge for the costs of providing water or sewer service to persons who occupy the leased premises. The following provisions shall apply:
…
(1b)	Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivisions (1) and (1a) of this subsection, if the Commission approves a flat rate to be charged by a water or sewer utility for the provision of water or sewer services to contiguous dwelling units, the lessor may pass through and charge the tenants of the contiguous dwelling units the same flat rate for water or sewer services, rather than a rate based on metered consumption, and an administrative fee as authorized in subdivision (2) of this subsection. Bills for water and sewer service sent by the lessor to the lessee shall contain all the information required by sub‑sub‑subdivisions e.2. through e.5. of subdivision (1a) of this subsection.
…."
SECTION 2.  This act is effective when it becomes law.
In the General Assembly read three times and ratified this the 21st day of June, 2019.

	s/	 Bill Rabon
	 Presiding Officer of the Senate

	s/	 David R. Lewis
	 Presiding Officer of the House of Representatives

	_____________________________________
		 Roy Cooper
	 Governor

Approved __________.m. this ______________ day of ___________________, 2019