2022 -- H 7476

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LC003210

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2022

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Morales, Caldwell, Kazarian, Solomon, Potter, Kennedy,
C Lima, Giraldo, S Lima, and Shallcross Smith

     Date Introduced: February 16, 2022

     Referred To: House Corporations

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Chapter 39-1 of the General Laws entitled "Public Utilities Commission" is

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hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

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     39-1-63. Utility termination moratorium period.

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     The commission shall amend its rules and regulations governing the termination of

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residential electric and gas service as set forth in 810-RICR-10-00-1, and any similar regulation of

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the commission, so that the utility termination moratorium period shall mean the period of time

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between 12:01 a.m. on November 1 and 11:59 p.m. on May 1 of each year.

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     Provided, this section shall not nullify or reduce any extension of the suspension of service

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terminations and collection actions during the COVID-19 emergency already authorized or which

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may be authorized by the commission pursuant to "Docket No. 5022 - Suspension of Service

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Terminations and Certain Collections Activities During the COVID-19 Emergency."

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     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 -- PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION

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     The act would direct the public utilities commission to amend its regulations by extending

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the utility termination moratorium period on electricity and gas from April 15 to May 1 of each

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year. This act would not nullify or reduce any extension of the suspension of service terminations

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and collection actions during the COVID-19 emergency already authorized or which may be

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authorized by the commission pursuant to "Docket No. 5022 - Suspension of Service Terminations

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and Certain Collections Activities During the COVID-19 Emergency."

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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