Prohibiting certain utility service disconnections for nonpayment

What it would have done

Summary by the Legislative Reference Bureau, the Legislature's nonpartisan drafting office. It's their wording, not ours.

This bill prohibits a public utility from disconnecting, between November 1 and April 15, a utility service that provides the primary heat source or energy source affecting the primary heat source for a residential dwelling occupied by a household whose gross quarterly income is 250 percent or less of the federal poverty guidelines or with an individual whose health and safety would be endangered by disconnection because of old age or youth. The bill applies to disconnections for nonpayment of utility services but allows disconnections for any of the following reasons: 1) for remodeling or repairs; 2) for violating rules by using the service in a manner that interferes with the service of others or by using nonstandard equipment; 3) if a dangerous conditions exists; or 4) upon reasonable evidence that service is obtained by potentially unsafe devices or methods that interfere with proper metering of the service.

Under current law, the Public Service Commission is authorized to promulgate rules establishing service requirements for public utility services, and PSC has exercised that authority to promulgate rules similar to the bill's prohibition on utility service disconnections between November 1 and April 15.

Who's behind it

15 lawmakers are its authors⁠. All 15 are Democrats.

3 more lawmakers signed on in support⁠.