1. (a)

   1. (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.

   2. (2) “Indirect customer” means an individual who:

      1. (i) receives water service or sewer service or both from the Commission; but
      2. (ii) is not billed by the Commission for the service.
   3. (3) “Ratepayer” means an individual who receives a bill directly from the Commission for water service or sewer service or both.

2. (b)

   1. (1) Notwithstanding any other law, on or before July 1, 2015, the Commission shall establish a Customer Assistance Program to provide financial assistance with water and sewer bills to eligible ratepayers.
   2. (2) The Commission shall establish income eligibility standards for a ratepayer to receive financial assistance under this subsection.
   3. (3) Financial assistance provided under this subsection may include the reduction or waiver of fees, including late fees.

3. (c)

   1. (1) The Commission may establish an Indirect Customer Assistance Program.
   2. (2) The purpose of the program is to provide financial assistance to eligible indirect customers for water and sewer service.
   3. (3) If the Commission establishes a program under this subsection, the Commission shall establish income eligibility standards and a process for an indirect customer to receive financial assistance under the program.

4. (d)

   1. (1) The Customer Assistance Program and the Indirect Customer Assistance Program shall be funded from Commission revenues.
   2. (2) Income eligibility standards for the Customer Assistance Program and the Indirect Customer Assistance Program shall be applied uniformly throughout the sanitary district.

Renumbered from Public Utilities § 25-501(c) and amended by Acts 2019, c. 162, § 1, eff. July 1, 2019; Acts 2021, c. 291, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2021.