REGULATED ELECTRIC UTILITIES, AESs, & MUNICIPAL UTILITIES: IMPROPER SHUTOFF REFUNDS
House Bill 4391 (Substitute H-2)
Sponsor: Rep. Terry Brown
Committee: Energy & Technology
Complete to 3-31-09
A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 4391 AS REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE 3-26-09
The bill would add a new Section 9f to the Public Service Commission Law to require electric and natural gas utilities and providers to refund any late fees, fines, or payments related to a shutoff or restoration of service assessed because of the company's failure to provide a notice required by the act or a Public Service Commission rule.
This section would apply to electric utilities, cooperative electric utilities, alternative electric suppliers, municipally-owned gas and electric utilities, and investor-owned, regulated gas utilities.
MCL 460.9f
FISCAL IMPACT:
A fiscal analysis is in process.
POSITIONS:
The Public Service Commission testified in support of the entire shutoff protection package of bills. (3-24-09)
The Attorney General indicated support of the entire package. (3-26-09)
The Department of Human Services indicated support of the entire package. (3-26-09)
ACORN (Michigan) indicated support of the entire package. (3-24-09)
The Center for Civil Justice indicated support of the entire package. (3-24-09)
Clean Water Action testified in support of the entire package, and submitted a letter of support dated 3-24-09, but would also like to see shutoff protections during hot summer weather and a ban on foreclosures due to non-payment of utility bills. (3-24-09)
Consumers Energy indicated support of the entire package. (3-24-09)
DTE Energy indicated support of the entire package. (3-26-09)
Elder Law of Michigan indicated support of the entire package. (3-24-09)
Indiana Michigan Power indicated support of the entire package. (3-26-09)
Michigan Advocacy project indicated support of the entire package. (3-24-09)
The Michigan Catholic Conference indicated support of the entire package. (3-24-09)
The Michigan Electric Cooperative Association indicated support of the entire package. (3-24-09)
The Michigan Electric and Gas Association indicated support of the entire package. (3-26-09)
Michigan Citizen Action indicated support of the entire package. (3-24-09)
The Michigan Municipal Electric Association testified in support of the entire package. (3-26-09)
SEMCO Energy indicated support of the entire package. (3-26-09)
The AARP opposes House Bill 4390 and House Bill 4392 but is supportive of the rest of the package, including this bill. (3-24-09)
Legislative Analyst: Shannan Kane
Fiscal Analyst: Mark Wolf
■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.