2025 -- H 6361 | |
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LC002951 | |
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND | |
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY | |
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2025 | |
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A N A C T | |
RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- REGULATORY POWERS OF | |
ADMINISTRATION | |
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Introduced By: Representative Rebecca M. Kislak | |
Date Introduced: May 23, 2025 | |
Referred To: House Corporations | |
(by request) | |
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: | |
1 | SECTION 1. Chapter 39-3 of the General Laws entitled "Regulatory Powers of |
2 | Administration" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section: |
3 | 39-3-37.4. Electric and gas meter reading required quarterly. |
4 | (a) Every electric and natural gas distribution public utility shall read, record and update |
5 | utility billing on quarterly scheduled intervals. Bills shall be forwarded promptly. |
6 | (b) A utility company which estimates bills shall file with the PUC a current, simple, clear |
7 | and concise statement of their formula used in preparing estimated bills. |
8 | (1) Estimated bills for ratepayers shall consist of charges for utility services calculated in |
9 | accordance with the formula approved by the PUC. |
10 | (2) Estimated bills may be submitted to ratepayers for months when the quarterly reading |
11 | is not scheduled or conducted. |
12 | (c) In the event the utility fails to read the meter on a quarterly basis, they shall not demand, |
13 | collect or require payment of any balance in excess of the amount required by the prior estimated |
14 | monthly bills. Any amount otherwise due for use in excess of the estimated monthly bill shall be |
15 | forfeited for any period in which the electric or natural gas distribution utility failed to read the |
16 | ratepayer's meter. |
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1 | SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage. |
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EXPLANATION | |
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL | |
OF | |
A N A C T | |
RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- REGULATORY POWERS OF | |
ADMINISTRATION | |
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1 | This act would require a natural gas and electric utility company to read the meters of all |
2 | ratepayers on a quarterly basis. The utility would be required to provide a formula, used to create |
3 | estimated bills, to the PUC in order to send estimated bills. |
4 | This act would take effect upon passage. |
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