2026 -- H 7886 | |
======== | |
LC005723 | |
======== | |
STATE OF RHODE ISLAND | |
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY | |
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026 | |
____________ | |
A N A C T | |
RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- REGULATORY POWERS OF | |
ADMINISTRATION | |
| |
Introduced By: Representatives Morales, Sanchez, Cruz, Potter, and Cotter | |
Date Introduced: February 27, 2026 | |
Referred To: House Corporations | |
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 entity shall read, record and update |
5 | utility billing on a monthly scheduled interval. Bills shall be forwarded within fourteen (14) days |
6 | of the scheduled record. |
7 | (b) A utility company which estimates bills shall file with the Public Utility Commission |
8 | (PUC) a statement of their formula used in preparing estimated bills. The PUC has the discretion |
9 | to approve, reject or modify the proposed formula. Any amendments to the formula shall be |
10 | subjected to the PUC for review and approval. |
11 | (c) Estimated bills for ratepayers shall consist of charges for utility services calculated in |
12 | accordance with the formula approved by the PUC. |
13 | (d) Estimated bills shall be submitted to ratepayers for months when the quarterly reading |
14 | is not scheduled or conducted. |
15 | (e) In the event the utility fails to read the meter on a quarterly basis, they shall not demand, |
16 | collect, or require payment of any balance in excess of the amount required by the prior estimated |
17 | monthly bills. |
18 | (f) Any amount otherwise due for use in excess of the estimated monthly bill shall be |
| |
1 | forfeited for any period in which the electric or natural gas distribution utility failed to read the |
2 | ratepayer’s meter. |
3 | (g) Meter reading conducted by the utility company shall not be passed on to ratepayers. |
4 | SECTION 2. This act shall take effect on July 1, 2026 |
======== | |
LC005723 | |
======== | |
| LC005723 - Page 2 of 3 |
EXPLANATION | |
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL | |
OF | |
A N A C T | |
RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- REGULATORY POWERS OF | |
ADMINISTRATION | |
*** | |
1 | This act would require quarterly reading of electric and gas meters. |
2 | This act would take effect on July 1, 2026 |
======== | |
LC005723 | |
======== | |
| LC005723 - Page 3 of 3 |