In general powers and duties of the Department of Public Welfare, providing for Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program; and making an editorial change.
Summary
HB921 amends Pennsylvania’s Human Services Code to create a new Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program within the Department of Human Services, to be established no later than July 1, 2026. The program is intended to help eligible low-income households pay overdue water or wastewater bills after the temporary federal Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program ends. It would be administered by the department in consultation with the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission.
Under the bill, eligible applicants must own or rent a home in Pennsylvania, be financially responsible for a water or wastewater bill, have arrearages or face termination or service shutoff, and meet income guidelines set by the department. Water or wastewater system entities could apply for grants on behalf of eligible customers, and the department would decide grant amounts and conditions. Grants could be used only to prevent shutoffs, pay past-due bills, or restore service. The bill also requires annual public reporting on program participation, expenditures, and recipients, and directs the department to adopt implementing rules and guidelines.
Impact
HB921 would add a new section to the Human Services Code and make an editorial change updating the department name from Public Welfare to Human Services. Substantively, it would authorize and require the Department of Human Services to create a state-run assistance program for low-income water and wastewater customers, establish eligibility standards, award grants through utilities or system entities, and report annually to the Governor and legislative leaders. The bill would affect low-income households, water utilities, wastewater systems, and the Department of Human Services, while also creating a new state framework to address utility arrearages and shutoffs after the federal program expires.
Sentiment
The available voting history suggests generally favorable committee support, with the House Consumer Protection, Technology and Utilities Committee reporting the bill out by a 17-9 vote. That margin indicates meaningful support for the concept of state assistance for water and wastewater bills, but not unanimous agreement. No committee transcript was provided, so the record reflects support inferred from the committee vote rather than detailed debate.
Contention
The main points of contention are likely to involve whether the Commonwealth should create a permanent or successor assistance program after the federal program ends, how much state funding would be required, and how eligibility and grant administration should be structured. Opponents may be concerned about cost, administrative burden, or whether utilities should be the vehicle for distributing aid, while supporters are likely focused on preventing shutoffs and helping households avoid water insecurity. The 17-9 committee vote suggests the proposal has support but also faces skepticism about implementation and fiscal impact.
In general powers and duties of the Department of Public Welfare, providing for Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program; and making an editorial change.
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