MUNICIPAL: Provides relative to municipal water and wastewater systems

HB 601 sets a cap on monthly water and wastewater charges for essential residential use in Louisiana cities with high poverty or low median income. It limits the total cost for basic service (up to 4,000 gallons of water per month) to 4.5% of the municipality’s median household income. The rule applies only to qualifying cities (poverty rate >30% or median income <50% of state average) and does not affect rates for usage beyond essential needs. Municipalities must also provide free meter testing after rate hikes over 10% and establish review processes for billing disputes.