SECOND REGULAR SESSION

HOUSE BILL NO. 1673

92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE STEVENSON.

         Read 1^st time March 15, 2004, and copies ordered printed.

STEPHEN S. DAVIS, Chief Clerk

4307L.01I

AN ACT

To amend chapter 71, RSMo, by adding thereto one new section relating to water providers.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the state of Missouri, as follows:

            Section A. Chapter 71, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto one new section, to be known as section 71.543, to read as follows:

            71.543. Any fire protection service rate, private fire service rate, or similar rate charged by a water provider to its customers for providing water service and fire hydrants to a city, town, or village for the purpose of fire protection service shall be approved by the governing body of the city, town, or village. The governing body shall hold a public hearing to consider evidence on the relation between the rate to be charged and cost of providing the water service and fire hydrants. If the governing body determines that the rate is rationally related to such cost it shall approve the rate. Before the rate may be changed the governing body shall hold a public hearing to consider evidence on the rationality of the proposed rate to the cost of providing the water service and fire hydrants and approve the new rate if it is rationally related to such cost.