HB 5877 Summary

• Prohibits electric and natural gas providers from discontinuing residential service when a governor has declared a state of emergency for a communicable disease or infection and the customer files an application.

• Provides shut-off protection for the duration of the declared state of emergency, though customers remain obligated to pay for services unless the provider waives the debt.

• Requires providers to establish repayment plans with minimum monthly payments allowing customers to pay past due amounts over no more than 1 year.

• Mandates providers inform customers of available governmental and provider assistance programs and provide information on ways to minimize or conserve service usage.

• Applies to electric utilities, natural gas utilities, cooperative electric utilities, and municipally owned electric utilities; does not affect existing commission rules on billing standards.