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MS HB1404
Bill
Status
Engrossed
2/5/2026
Primary Sponsor
Shanda Yates
Click for details
AI Summary
- Creates the crime of "fraudulent utility conversion" when a person receives utility payments from a tenant, fails to remit those funds to the utility provider, and the tenant's services are interrupted as a result
- Establishes tiered criminal penalties based on conversion amount: up to 20 years imprisonment and $50,000 fine for $25,000+; up to 10 years and $10,000 fine for $5,000-$25,000; up to 5 years and $3,000 fine for $1,000-$5,000; up to 6 months and $1,000 fine for under $1,000
- Requires courts to order reimbursement to tenants for all utility payments not remitted, plus reasonable costs including medical and food expenses caused by the service interruption
- Adds landlord duty to comply with lease requirements for utility payments and allows tenants to terminate leases when landlord failure to pay utilities causes service interruption
- Takes effect July 1, 2026
Legislative Description
Fraudulent Utility Conversion; create crime when landlord fails to pay utilities and tenants' utilities are interrupted.
Last Action
Returned For Concurrence
3/10/2026
Committee Referrals
Judiciary, Division B2/18/2026
Judiciary A1/16/2026
Full Bill Text
No bill text available