2023 -- H 5411

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LC000553

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Morales, Slater, Cruz, Kazarian, Felix, McEntee,
Sanchez, Potter, Cotter, and McGaw

     Date Introduced: February 08, 2023

     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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     (a) 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, in order that the utility termination moratorium period shall mean the period of

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time 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 any declared state of emergency pursuant to chapter 15

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of title 30 relating to emergency management.

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     (b) The commission shall have the discretion to extend the duration of the moratorium

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described in subsection (a) of this section, to respond to economic conditions and customer needs.

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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 (PUC) to amend its regulations by

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

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

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terminations and collection actions during any declared state of emergency. The PUC would also

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have discretion to adjust the duration of the moratorium to respond to economic conditions and

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customer needs.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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