2026 -- S 2641

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LC005292

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- DUTIES OF UTILITIES AND

CARRIERS

     Introduced By: Senator Samuel D. Zurier

     Date Introduced: February 27, 2026

     Referred To: Senate Commerce

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 39-2 of the General Laws entitled "Duties of Utilities and Carriers"

is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

     39-2-1.5. Electric utility billing and metering standards.

     (a) The division of public utilities and carriers shall promulgate rules and regulations

establishing minimum statewide standards governing electric utility meter reading and billing

practices, which shall include, at a minimum, the following:

     (1) Regular meter reading. All electric service meters shall be read at regular intervals and,

to the extent practicable, on approximately the same calendar day of each meter reading period.

     (2) Billing transparency. Bills shall be rendered at regular intervals and shall clearly state:

     (i) The date of the current meter reading; and

     (ii) The amount or quantity of electric service provided during the billing period.

     (3) Customer billing records. Each electric utility shall maintain accurate accounts of all

charges billed to each customer and shall retain records sufficient to demonstrate how each bill

rendered was calculated.

     (4) Limit on estimated billing. No electric utility shall render estimated bills for more than

six (6) consecutive billing periods on any residential, commercial, or industrial account, except

where access to the meter is unavailable due to customer action or safety concerns, as determined

by the division pursuant to the provisions of subsection (a)(5) of this section.

     (5) Once the electric utility has used estimated bills for a six (6) month period, the company

shall act to correct the problem within two (2) months. Absent a waiver the electric utility shall not

be allowed to recover billing beyond two (2) months after the use of estimated bills for a six (6)

month period. However, the division shall permit the electric utility to seek a waiver from the

division with respect to the foregoing billing prohibition. The waiver request shall include details

of the electric utility’s efforts and experienced difficulties in accessing the customer’s property in

order to obtain an actual reading. The waiver shall be filed with the division prior to the expiration

of the two (2) month billing deadline.

     (6) Billing issuance standards. The division shall establish reasonable standards governing

the relationship between the billing date and the date of issuance or mailing of a bill, including

allowances for electronic billing and circumstances beyond the control of the utility. In

promulgating regulations pursuant to this section, the division shall consider:

     (i) Existing utility tariffs approved by the public utilities commission; and

     (ii) The deployment of advanced metering or automated meter reading technology.

     (b) Nothing in this section shall be construed to impair the authority of the public utilities

commission to approve tariffs or rates, provided such tariffs and rates are consistent with the

standards established pursuant to this section.

     (c) The provisions of this section shall, unless extended by the general assembly, sunset

upon the adoption of rules and regulations promulgated by the division that satisfy the conditions

of this section, or on January 30, 2028, whichever shall occur first.

     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 -- DUTIES OF UTILITIES AND

CARRIERS

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     This act would establish statewide standards governing electric meter reading and billing

practices.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC005292

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