Amended IN Senate April 10, 2025 Amended IN Senate March 24, 2025 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION Senate Bill No. 636Introduced by Senator MenjivarFebruary 20, 2025An act to add Section 779.8 to the Public Utilities Code, relating to public utilities. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTSB 636, as amended, Menjivar. Electrical or gas corporations: deferment of payments: hardship.Existing law vests the Public Utilities Commission with regulatory jurisdiction over public utilities, including electrical corporations and gas corporations. Existing law prohibits an electrical or gas corporation from disconnecting service for nonpayment by a residential customer receiving a medical baseline allowance, financially unable to pay for service within the normal payment period, willing to enter into an amortization agreement with the corporation with respect to all charges that the customer is unable to pay, and meets certain other requirements.This bill would prohibit an electrical or gas corporation from disconnecting service of a customer for 6 3 months, if the customer meets certain requirements, as provided. The bill would require the corporation to grant that customer a 6-month 3-month deferment for any and all payments due from the date that the deferment is granted. Upon the expiration of the deferment period, the bill would require the customer to enroll in the electrical or gas corporations arrearage management program or be enrolled in an available payment plan for which the customer is eligible, if the customer is not eligible for the arrearage management plan, for any and all debts on the customers account. The bill would prohibit a customer who participates in the payment deferral from being eligible for a subsequent 3-month payment deferral within 18 months of their participation in the payment deferral. The bill would authorize the commission to adopt rules to implement these provisions.Under existing law, a violation of the Public Utilities Act or an order, decision, rule, direction, demand, or requirement of the commission is a crime.Because the provisions of this bill would be a part of the act, a violation of which, or a violation of an order, decision, rule, direction, demand, or requirement of the commission implementing those provisions, would be a crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: YES Bill TextThe people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. Section 779.8 is added to the Public Utilities Code, to read:779.8. (a) An electrical or gas corporation shall not disconnect service of a customer for six three months, subject to the provisions of this section, if the customer meets all of the following requirements:(1) The customer is enrolled in the California Alternative Rates for Energy program or the Family Electric Rate Assistance program at the time of the hardship request.(2) The customer makes a hardship request pursuant to applicable rules adopted by the commission.(3) The customers hardship request is due to a hardship that is any of the of the following:(A) A death in the family or of someone living within the same residence.(B) The loss of full-time employment within 60 days of the hardship request.(C) Medical care of the customer, a family member, or someone living within the same residence.(D) The customers residence, employment, or education is impacted by a wildfire or other natural disaster declared by the Governor to be an emergency pursuant to Section 8558 of the Government Code.(b) An electrical or gas corporation shall grant to a customer who meets the requirements of subdivision (a), a six-month three-month deferment of any and all payments due from the date of the deferment until the end of the six-month three-month period.(c) At the conclusion of the six-month three-month deferment period, the eligible customers shall enroll in the arrearage management program of the electrical or gas corporation for any and all debts on the customers account. If the customers are not eligible for the arrearage management program, they will be enrolled in an available payment plan for which they are eligible.(d) During the six-month three-month deferment period, the customer shall not be charged any interest or additional fees for requesting the deferment.(e)An electrical or gas corporation shall not request any supportive documents pertaining to the basis of the hardship request. A customer shall be permitted to self-attest.(f)(e) This section is in addition to other relief or debt forgiveness that may be applicable.(f) A customer who participates in the payment deferral shall not be eligible for a subsequent three-month payment deferral within 18 months of their participation in the payment deferral.(g) The commission may adopt rules to implement this section.SEC. 2. No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution because the only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school district will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution.
Amended IN Senate April 10, 2025 Amended IN Senate March 24, 2025 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION Senate Bill No. 636Introduced by Senator MenjivarFebruary 20, 2025An act to add Section 779.8 to the Public Utilities Code, relating to public utilities. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTSB 636, as amended, Menjivar. Electrical or gas corporations: deferment of payments: hardship.Existing law vests the Public Utilities Commission with regulatory jurisdiction over public utilities, including electrical corporations and gas corporations. Existing law prohibits an electrical or gas corporation from disconnecting service for nonpayment by a residential customer receiving a medical baseline allowance, financially unable to pay for service within the normal payment period, willing to enter into an amortization agreement with the corporation with respect to all charges that the customer is unable to pay, and meets certain other requirements.This bill would prohibit an electrical or gas corporation from disconnecting service of a customer for 6 3 months, if the customer meets certain requirements, as provided. The bill would require the corporation to grant that customer a 6-month 3-month deferment for any and all payments due from the date that the deferment is granted. Upon the expiration of the deferment period, the bill would require the customer to enroll in the electrical or gas corporations arrearage management program or be enrolled in an available payment plan for which the customer is eligible, if the customer is not eligible for the arrearage management plan, for any and all debts on the customers account. The bill would prohibit a customer who participates in the payment deferral from being eligible for a subsequent 3-month payment deferral within 18 months of their participation in the payment deferral. The bill would authorize the commission to adopt rules to implement these provisions.Under existing law, a violation of the Public Utilities Act or an order, decision, rule, direction, demand, or requirement of the commission is a crime.Because the provisions of this bill would be a part of the act, a violation of which, or a violation of an order, decision, rule, direction, demand, or requirement of the commission implementing those provisions, would be a crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: YES
Amended IN Senate April 10, 2025 Amended IN Senate March 24, 2025
Amended IN Senate April 10, 2025
Amended IN Senate March 24, 2025
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION
Senate Bill
No. 636
Introduced by Senator MenjivarFebruary 20, 2025
Introduced by Senator Menjivar
February 20, 2025
An act to add Section 779.8 to the Public Utilities Code, relating to public utilities.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
## LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
SB 636, as amended, Menjivar. Electrical or gas corporations: deferment of payments: hardship.
Existing law vests the Public Utilities Commission with regulatory jurisdiction over public utilities, including electrical corporations and gas corporations. Existing law prohibits an electrical or gas corporation from disconnecting service for nonpayment by a residential customer receiving a medical baseline allowance, financially unable to pay for service within the normal payment period, willing to enter into an amortization agreement with the corporation with respect to all charges that the customer is unable to pay, and meets certain other requirements.This bill would prohibit an electrical or gas corporation from disconnecting service of a customer for 6 3 months, if the customer meets certain requirements, as provided. The bill would require the corporation to grant that customer a 6-month 3-month deferment for any and all payments due from the date that the deferment is granted. Upon the expiration of the deferment period, the bill would require the customer to enroll in the electrical or gas corporations arrearage management program or be enrolled in an available payment plan for which the customer is eligible, if the customer is not eligible for the arrearage management plan, for any and all debts on the customers account. The bill would prohibit a customer who participates in the payment deferral from being eligible for a subsequent 3-month payment deferral within 18 months of their participation in the payment deferral. The bill would authorize the commission to adopt rules to implement these provisions.Under existing law, a violation of the Public Utilities Act or an order, decision, rule, direction, demand, or requirement of the commission is a crime.Because the provisions of this bill would be a part of the act, a violation of which, or a violation of an order, decision, rule, direction, demand, or requirement of the commission implementing those provisions, would be a crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.
Existing law vests the Public Utilities Commission with regulatory jurisdiction over public utilities, including electrical corporations and gas corporations. Existing law prohibits an electrical or gas corporation from disconnecting service for nonpayment by a residential customer receiving a medical baseline allowance, financially unable to pay for service within the normal payment period, willing to enter into an amortization agreement with the corporation with respect to all charges that the customer is unable to pay, and meets certain other requirements.
This bill would prohibit an electrical or gas corporation from disconnecting service of a customer for 6 3 months, if the customer meets certain requirements, as provided. The bill would require the corporation to grant that customer a 6-month 3-month deferment for any and all payments due from the date that the deferment is granted. Upon the expiration of the deferment period, the bill would require the customer to enroll in the electrical or gas corporations arrearage management program or be enrolled in an available payment plan for which the customer is eligible, if the customer is not eligible for the arrearage management plan, for any and all debts on the customers account. The bill would prohibit a customer who participates in the payment deferral from being eligible for a subsequent 3-month payment deferral within 18 months of their participation in the payment deferral. The bill would authorize the commission to adopt rules to implement these provisions.
Under existing law, a violation of the Public Utilities Act or an order, decision, rule, direction, demand, or requirement of the commission is a crime.
Because the provisions of this bill would be a part of the act, a violation of which, or a violation of an order, decision, rule, direction, demand, or requirement of the commission implementing those provisions, would be a crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.
## Digest Key
## Bill Text
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. Section 779.8 is added to the Public Utilities Code, to read:779.8. (a) An electrical or gas corporation shall not disconnect service of a customer for six three months, subject to the provisions of this section, if the customer meets all of the following requirements:(1) The customer is enrolled in the California Alternative Rates for Energy program or the Family Electric Rate Assistance program at the time of the hardship request.(2) The customer makes a hardship request pursuant to applicable rules adopted by the commission.(3) The customers hardship request is due to a hardship that is any of the of the following:(A) A death in the family or of someone living within the same residence.(B) The loss of full-time employment within 60 days of the hardship request.(C) Medical care of the customer, a family member, or someone living within the same residence.(D) The customers residence, employment, or education is impacted by a wildfire or other natural disaster declared by the Governor to be an emergency pursuant to Section 8558 of the Government Code.(b) An electrical or gas corporation shall grant to a customer who meets the requirements of subdivision (a), a six-month three-month deferment of any and all payments due from the date of the deferment until the end of the six-month three-month period.(c) At the conclusion of the six-month three-month deferment period, the eligible customers shall enroll in the arrearage management program of the electrical or gas corporation for any and all debts on the customers account. If the customers are not eligible for the arrearage management program, they will be enrolled in an available payment plan for which they are eligible.(d) During the six-month three-month deferment period, the customer shall not be charged any interest or additional fees for requesting the deferment.(e)An electrical or gas corporation shall not request any supportive documents pertaining to the basis of the hardship request. A customer shall be permitted to self-attest.(f)(e) This section is in addition to other relief or debt forgiveness that may be applicable.(f) A customer who participates in the payment deferral shall not be eligible for a subsequent three-month payment deferral within 18 months of their participation in the payment deferral.(g) The commission may adopt rules to implement this section.SEC. 2. No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution because the only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school district will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution.
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
## The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
SECTION 1. Section 779.8 is added to the Public Utilities Code, to read:779.8. (a) An electrical or gas corporation shall not disconnect service of a customer for six three months, subject to the provisions of this section, if the customer meets all of the following requirements:(1) The customer is enrolled in the California Alternative Rates for Energy program or the Family Electric Rate Assistance program at the time of the hardship request.(2) The customer makes a hardship request pursuant to applicable rules adopted by the commission.(3) The customers hardship request is due to a hardship that is any of the of the following:(A) A death in the family or of someone living within the same residence.(B) The loss of full-time employment within 60 days of the hardship request.(C) Medical care of the customer, a family member, or someone living within the same residence.(D) The customers residence, employment, or education is impacted by a wildfire or other natural disaster declared by the Governor to be an emergency pursuant to Section 8558 of the Government Code.(b) An electrical or gas corporation shall grant to a customer who meets the requirements of subdivision (a), a six-month three-month deferment of any and all payments due from the date of the deferment until the end of the six-month three-month period.(c) At the conclusion of the six-month three-month deferment period, the eligible customers shall enroll in the arrearage management program of the electrical or gas corporation for any and all debts on the customers account. If the customers are not eligible for the arrearage management program, they will be enrolled in an available payment plan for which they are eligible.(d) During the six-month three-month deferment period, the customer shall not be charged any interest or additional fees for requesting the deferment.(e)An electrical or gas corporation shall not request any supportive documents pertaining to the basis of the hardship request. A customer shall be permitted to self-attest.(f)(e) This section is in addition to other relief or debt forgiveness that may be applicable.(f) A customer who participates in the payment deferral shall not be eligible for a subsequent three-month payment deferral within 18 months of their participation in the payment deferral.(g) The commission may adopt rules to implement this section.
SECTION 1. Section 779.8 is added to the Public Utilities Code, to read:
### SECTION 1.
779.8. (a) An electrical or gas corporation shall not disconnect service of a customer for six three months, subject to the provisions of this section, if the customer meets all of the following requirements:(1) The customer is enrolled in the California Alternative Rates for Energy program or the Family Electric Rate Assistance program at the time of the hardship request.(2) The customer makes a hardship request pursuant to applicable rules adopted by the commission.(3) The customers hardship request is due to a hardship that is any of the of the following:(A) A death in the family or of someone living within the same residence.(B) The loss of full-time employment within 60 days of the hardship request.(C) Medical care of the customer, a family member, or someone living within the same residence.(D) The customers residence, employment, or education is impacted by a wildfire or other natural disaster declared by the Governor to be an emergency pursuant to Section 8558 of the Government Code.(b) An electrical or gas corporation shall grant to a customer who meets the requirements of subdivision (a), a six-month three-month deferment of any and all payments due from the date of the deferment until the end of the six-month three-month period.(c) At the conclusion of the six-month three-month deferment period, the eligible customers shall enroll in the arrearage management program of the electrical or gas corporation for any and all debts on the customers account. If the customers are not eligible for the arrearage management program, they will be enrolled in an available payment plan for which they are eligible.(d) During the six-month three-month deferment period, the customer shall not be charged any interest or additional fees for requesting the deferment.(e)An electrical or gas corporation shall not request any supportive documents pertaining to the basis of the hardship request. A customer shall be permitted to self-attest.(f)(e) This section is in addition to other relief or debt forgiveness that may be applicable.(f) A customer who participates in the payment deferral shall not be eligible for a subsequent three-month payment deferral within 18 months of their participation in the payment deferral.(g) The commission may adopt rules to implement this section.
779.8. (a) An electrical or gas corporation shall not disconnect service of a customer for six three months, subject to the provisions of this section, if the customer meets all of the following requirements:(1) The customer is enrolled in the California Alternative Rates for Energy program or the Family Electric Rate Assistance program at the time of the hardship request.(2) The customer makes a hardship request pursuant to applicable rules adopted by the commission.(3) The customers hardship request is due to a hardship that is any of the of the following:(A) A death in the family or of someone living within the same residence.(B) The loss of full-time employment within 60 days of the hardship request.(C) Medical care of the customer, a family member, or someone living within the same residence.(D) The customers residence, employment, or education is impacted by a wildfire or other natural disaster declared by the Governor to be an emergency pursuant to Section 8558 of the Government Code.(b) An electrical or gas corporation shall grant to a customer who meets the requirements of subdivision (a), a six-month three-month deferment of any and all payments due from the date of the deferment until the end of the six-month three-month period.(c) At the conclusion of the six-month three-month deferment period, the eligible customers shall enroll in the arrearage management program of the electrical or gas corporation for any and all debts on the customers account. If the customers are not eligible for the arrearage management program, they will be enrolled in an available payment plan for which they are eligible.(d) During the six-month three-month deferment period, the customer shall not be charged any interest or additional fees for requesting the deferment.(e)An electrical or gas corporation shall not request any supportive documents pertaining to the basis of the hardship request. A customer shall be permitted to self-attest.(f)(e) This section is in addition to other relief or debt forgiveness that may be applicable.(f) A customer who participates in the payment deferral shall not be eligible for a subsequent three-month payment deferral within 18 months of their participation in the payment deferral.(g) The commission may adopt rules to implement this section.
779.8. (a) An electrical or gas corporation shall not disconnect service of a customer for six three months, subject to the provisions of this section, if the customer meets all of the following requirements:(1) The customer is enrolled in the California Alternative Rates for Energy program or the Family Electric Rate Assistance program at the time of the hardship request.(2) The customer makes a hardship request pursuant to applicable rules adopted by the commission.(3) The customers hardship request is due to a hardship that is any of the of the following:(A) A death in the family or of someone living within the same residence.(B) The loss of full-time employment within 60 days of the hardship request.(C) Medical care of the customer, a family member, or someone living within the same residence.(D) The customers residence, employment, or education is impacted by a wildfire or other natural disaster declared by the Governor to be an emergency pursuant to Section 8558 of the Government Code.(b) An electrical or gas corporation shall grant to a customer who meets the requirements of subdivision (a), a six-month three-month deferment of any and all payments due from the date of the deferment until the end of the six-month three-month period.(c) At the conclusion of the six-month three-month deferment period, the eligible customers shall enroll in the arrearage management program of the electrical or gas corporation for any and all debts on the customers account. If the customers are not eligible for the arrearage management program, they will be enrolled in an available payment plan for which they are eligible.(d) During the six-month three-month deferment period, the customer shall not be charged any interest or additional fees for requesting the deferment.(e)An electrical or gas corporation shall not request any supportive documents pertaining to the basis of the hardship request. A customer shall be permitted to self-attest.(f)(e) This section is in addition to other relief or debt forgiveness that may be applicable.(f) A customer who participates in the payment deferral shall not be eligible for a subsequent three-month payment deferral within 18 months of their participation in the payment deferral.(g) The commission may adopt rules to implement this section.
779.8. (a) An electrical or gas corporation shall not disconnect service of a customer for six three months, subject to the provisions of this section, if the customer meets all of the following requirements:
(1) The customer is enrolled in the California Alternative Rates for Energy program or the Family Electric Rate Assistance program at the time of the hardship request.
(2) The customer makes a hardship request pursuant to applicable rules adopted by the commission.
(3) The customers hardship request is due to a hardship that is any of the of the following:
(A) A death in the family or of someone living within the same residence.
(B) The loss of full-time employment within 60 days of the hardship request.
(C) Medical care of the customer, a family member, or someone living within the same residence.
(D) The customers residence, employment, or education is impacted by a wildfire or other natural disaster declared by the Governor to be an emergency pursuant to Section 8558 of the Government Code.
(b) An electrical or gas corporation shall grant to a customer who meets the requirements of subdivision (a), a six-month three-month deferment of any and all payments due from the date of the deferment until the end of the six-month three-month period.
(c) At the conclusion of the six-month three-month deferment period, the eligible customers shall enroll in the arrearage management program of the electrical or gas corporation for any and all debts on the customers account. If the customers are not eligible for the arrearage management program, they will be enrolled in an available payment plan for which they are eligible.
(d) During the six-month three-month deferment period, the customer shall not be charged any interest or additional fees for requesting the deferment.
(e)An electrical or gas corporation shall not request any supportive documents pertaining to the basis of the hardship request. A customer shall be permitted to self-attest.
(f)
(e) This section is in addition to other relief or debt forgiveness that may be applicable.
(f) A customer who participates in the payment deferral shall not be eligible for a subsequent three-month payment deferral within 18 months of their participation in the payment deferral.
(g) The commission may adopt rules to implement this section.
SEC. 2. No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution because the only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school district will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution.
SEC. 2. No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution because the only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school district will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution.
SEC. 2. No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution because the only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school district will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution.
### SEC. 2.