OR HB3179

Public Utility Commission must consider cumulative economic impact on residential ratepayers when evaluating rate increases, and utilities must submit detailed impact analyses including average bills, disconnection data, overdue balances, and cost-of-living comparisons

Residential rate increases may not take effect from November 1 to March 31 (winter heating season), and rate increases subject to return-on-equity review cannot take effect within 18 months of the previous such increase

PUC must establish rules requiring electric and natural gas utilities to file multiyear rate plans (3-7 year intervals) and limiting the number of utilities allowed to request rate increases in any given year

Rate suspension period extended from 9 to 10 months; PUC gains authority to adjust rates to mitigate increases that would affect residential customers' ability to maintain adequate utility service

Utilities must annually publish visual breakdowns of residential rate cost categories and file public reports on expected rate adjustments within the next 12 months, including cumulative impacts across all pending requests