AB 532: Water rate assistance program.

This bill aims to provide assistance to low-income households that pay a high proportion of their income for drinking water and wastewater services. The assistance will be provided by public urban retail water suppliers to eligible ratepayers, including those with annual household incomes at or below 200% of the federal poverty guideline level. The assistance can take the form of reduced water bills, percentage reductions, water account credits, or crisis assistance to reduce or eliminate water bills. The water suppliers can use their available funding, including voluntary contributions from other ratepayers, to provide the assistance. The state board will conduct a voluntary survey of water suppliers by July 1, 2026, and require them to report on their water rate assistance programs starting January 1, 2028.