HB 3459

Abstract

Prohibits energy utility from disconnecting service to residential customer for failure to pay amount owed for energy services.] Prohibits energy utility from seeking to collect from residential customer who spends six percent or more of household income on energy costs.] Requires energy utility to accept reasonable partial payment or payment plan for overdue amounts. Requires any partial payment or payment plan to be less than six percent of customer's household monthly income.] Permits energy utility to recover costs for overdue amounts in rates to all residential service customers.] Requires energy utility to provide Housing and Community Services Department with contact information for residential customers who have higher than average energy usage. Requires department to contact customers to help customers access programs and resources that may assist with reducing energy usage.] Extends sunset for requirement that Public Utility Commission provide, through rates charged to all customers of electric companies, collection of moneys for low-income electric bill payment and crisis assistance. Removes requirement that assistance be only for customers who lost income due to circumstances arising from disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Reduces amount to be collected per calendar year from $10 million to $5 million.