HB 4916 Summary

• Allows utility customers to choose between traditional meters and advanced meters, with utilities prohibited from making service contingent on advanced meter installation.

• Prohibits utilities from charging fees or disincentives for opting out of advanced meter installation or use, except utilities may restrict certain time-of-day tariff discounts for traditional meter customers.

• Requires utilities to provide written notice at least 45 days before installing or upgrading advanced meters, with clear opt-out procedures; customers may refuse installation by posting a sign or verbally informing the worker.

• Permits utilities to charge a one-time fee not exceeding $150 to remove advanced meters and install traditional meters, with no monthly fee unless customer declines self-reporting option; allows up to $5 monthly fee for traditional meter users who refuse to self-report usage.

• Establishes data privacy protections requiring encrypted transmission of meter data, prohibits sharing customer energy usage data except by court order or law, requires secured internet access to energy data, and restricts remote service shutoffs to cases where a utility representative visits the property within 48 hours and the utility has approved cybersecurity safeguards.