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MN HF2537

Bill

Status

Introduced

2/27/2014

Primary Sponsor

Paul Marquart

Click for details

Origin

House of Representatives

88th Legislature 2013-2014

AI Summary

  • Establishes regulatory framework for propane distributors serving residential heating customers, requiring registration with the state and annual reporting on fees, contracts, payment options, and storage capacity.

  • Mandates propane distributors offer budget payment plans that levelized annual bills into 12 equal monthly payments and reasonable payment agreements for low-income customers with delinquent accounts, with terms of at least 6 months and capped at 10% of monthly household income.

  • Prohibits service discontinuance during heating season (October 15 - April 15) for low-income customers making timely payments under a payment agreement, with required 14-20 day written notice before any discontinuance.

  • Limits minimum purchase requirements during heating season to 150 gallons (tanks under 500 gallons) or 200 gallons (tanks 500+ gallons), and prohibits minimum usage fees and certain security deposit requirements for LIHEAP-eligible customers.

  • Requires price and fee disclosure to customers, prohibits discrimination in payment options, restricts third-party sharing of delinquent customer information, and mandates acceptance of LIHEAP payments with full propane delivery.

Legislative Description

Propane; terms of sale and service regulated and service during the heating season discontinued with respect to residential propane customers, and registration of and reporting by propane distributors required.

Last Action

Committee report, to adopt as amended and re-refer to Commerce and Consumer Protection Finance and Policy

3/12/2014

Committee Referrals

Commerce and Consumer Protection Finance and Policy3/12/2014
Energy Policy2/27/2014

Full Bill Text

No bill text available