Read the full stored bill text
PRINTER'S NO. 2169
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 1761
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY SCOTT, RIGBY, MADDEN, DEASY, PROBST, HILL-EVANS,
FREEMAN, GIRAL, SANCHEZ, NEILSON, CERRATO, CIRESI, BOROWSKI,
GILLEN, GREEN AND MATZIE, JULY 23, 2025
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON CONSUMER PROTECTION, TECHNOLOGY AND
UTILITIES, JULY 23, 2025
AN ACT
Amending Titles 53 (Municipalities Generally) and 66 (Public
Utilities) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in
municipal authorities, further providing for purposes and
powers; and, in rates and distribution systems, further
providing for standby charge prohibited.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Section 5607(e) of Title 53 of the Pennsylvania
Consolidated Statutes is amended by adding paragraphs to read:
§ 5607. Purposes and powers.
* * *
(e) Prohibition.--
* * *
(4) An authority that furnishes water to or for the
public shall not impose a standby charge on volunteer fire
companies, nonprofit rescue squads and nonprofit ambulance
services that are owners or occupants of structures equipped
with automatic fire protection systems and are ratepayers of
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
record for costs associated with automatic fire protection
systems. Charges to volunteer fire companies, nonprofit
rescue squads and nonprofit ambulance services that are in
effect on the effective date of this subparagraph shall
continue to be charged until the conclusion of the next
billing cycle.
(5) As used in this subsection, the following words and
phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this
paragraph unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Cost of service." The actual water usage and capital
investment made by a municipality specifically for the
purpose of rendering fire protection service assessed against
the owner of a residential or commercial structure for the
reason that the structure is equipped with an automatic fire
protection system.
"Standby charge." An amount in addition to the cost of
service.
* * *
Section 2. Section 1326 of Title 66 is amended to read:
§ 1326. Standby charge prohibited.
(a) Prohibition.--A public utility that furnishes water to
or for the public shall not impose a standby charge on [owners]:
(1) Owners of residential structures equipped with
automatic fire protection systems.
(2) Volunteer fire companies, nonprofit rescue squads
and nonprofit ambulance services that are owners or occupants
of structures equipped with automatic fire protection systems
and are ratepayers of record for costs associated with
automatic fire protection systems.
(a.1) Effect on current rates.--Charges to volunteer fire
20250HB1761PN2169 - 2 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
companies, nonprofit rescue squads and nonprofit ambulance
services that are in effect on the effective date of this
subsection shall continue to be charged until conclusion of the
public utility's next general rate proceeding.
(b) [Definition.--As used in this section, the term "standby
charge" means an amount, in addition to the regular rate,
assessed against the owner of a residential structure for the
reason that the residential structure is equipped with an
automatic fire protection system.] Definitions.-- As used in this
section, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings
given to them in this subsection unless the context clearly
indicates otherwise:
"Cost of service." The actual water usage and capital
investment made by a public utility specifically for the purpose
of rendering fire protection service assessed against the owner
of a residential or commercial structure for the reason that the
structure is equipped with an automatic fire protection system.
"Standby charge." An amount, in addition to the cost of
service, under subsection (a.1).
Section 3. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
20250HB1761PN2169 - 3 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20