HF4558 Bill Summary

• Establishes comprehensive regulations for shared-metered utility service in residential buildings where building utility service is measured by fewer meters than separate living units, effective January 1, 2025.

• Requires landlords to be bill payers and customers of record for utility providers; prohibits disconnection of tenant utility service by landlords for non-payment and prohibits removing directly metered tenants from existing accounts.

• Mandates submeters meet American National Standards Institute standards as of January 1, 2025, with landlords required to investigate tenant concerns about inaccurate meters and refund overcharges within six months.

• Establishes billing requirements including actual submeter readings, specific bill information disclosures, and prohibits most submeter-related fees; allows only an $8 maximum administrative billing fee for all separately billed utilities.

• Creates dispute resolution procedures through the Public Utilities Commission consumer affairs office and prohibits utility non-payment as grounds for eviction during cold weather periods, heat emergencies, or medical emergencies requiring life-sustaining electrical equipment.