Illinois 2025-2026 Regular Session

Illinois House Bill HB1284 Compare Versions

Only one version of the bill is available at this time.

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1	1	104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2025 and 2026 HB1284 Introduced , by Rep. Kimberly Du Buclet SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED: 220 ILCS 5/16-115A220 ILCS 5/16-118220 ILCS 5/19-115815 ILCS 505/2EE815 ILCS 505/2DDD Amends the Public Utilities Act and the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Prohibits alternative retail electric and gas suppliers from paying incentive-based compensation to people engaged in in-person solicitation or telemarketing. Provides that certain tariffs may be filed by an electric utility with respect to electric utilities providing supply service through an electric aggregation program. Provides that an alternative retail electric utility supplier or alternative gas supplier shall not automatically renew a consumer's enrollment after the current term of the contract expires when the renewed contract provides that the consumer will be charged a rate higher than the current contract rate unless: (i) the alternative retail electric supplier or alternative gas supplier complies with specified notice and disclosure requirements; and (ii) the customer expressly consents to the contract renewal in writing or by electronic signature at least 30 days, but no more than 60 days, before the contract expires. LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b A BILL FOR 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2025 and 2026 HB1284 Introduced , by Rep. Kimberly Du Buclet SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED: 220 ILCS 5/16-115A220 ILCS 5/16-118220 ILCS 5/19-115815 ILCS 505/2EE815 ILCS 505/2DDD 220 ILCS 5/16-115A 220 ILCS 5/16-118 220 ILCS 5/19-115 815 ILCS 505/2EE 815 ILCS 505/2DDD Amends the Public Utilities Act and the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Prohibits alternative retail electric and gas suppliers from paying incentive-based compensation to people engaged in in-person solicitation or telemarketing. Provides that certain tariffs may be filed by an electric utility with respect to electric utilities providing supply service through an electric aggregation program. Provides that an alternative retail electric utility supplier or alternative gas supplier shall not automatically renew a consumer's enrollment after the current term of the contract expires when the renewed contract provides that the consumer will be charged a rate higher than the current contract rate unless: (i) the alternative retail electric supplier or alternative gas supplier complies with specified notice and disclosure requirements; and (ii) the customer expressly consents to the contract renewal in writing or by electronic signature at least 30 days, but no more than 60 days, before the contract expires. LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b A BILL FOR
2	2	104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2025 and 2026 HB1284 Introduced , by Rep. Kimberly Du Buclet SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
3	3	220 ILCS 5/16-115A220 ILCS 5/16-118220 ILCS 5/19-115815 ILCS 505/2EE815 ILCS 505/2DDD 220 ILCS 5/16-115A 220 ILCS 5/16-118 220 ILCS 5/19-115 815 ILCS 505/2EE 815 ILCS 505/2DDD
4	4	220 ILCS 5/16-115A
5	5	220 ILCS 5/16-118
6	6	220 ILCS 5/19-115
7	7	815 ILCS 505/2EE
8	8	815 ILCS 505/2DDD
9	9	Amends the Public Utilities Act and the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Prohibits alternative retail electric and gas suppliers from paying incentive-based compensation to people engaged in in-person solicitation or telemarketing. Provides that certain tariffs may be filed by an electric utility with respect to electric utilities providing supply service through an electric aggregation program. Provides that an alternative retail electric utility supplier or alternative gas supplier shall not automatically renew a consumer's enrollment after the current term of the contract expires when the renewed contract provides that the consumer will be charged a rate higher than the current contract rate unless: (i) the alternative retail electric supplier or alternative gas supplier complies with specified notice and disclosure requirements; and (ii) the customer expressly consents to the contract renewal in writing or by electronic signature at least 30 days, but no more than 60 days, before the contract expires.
10	10	LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
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12	12	A BILL FOR
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15	15	1 AN ACT concerning regulation.
16	16	2 Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
17	17	3 represented in the General Assembly:
18	18	4 Section 5. The Public Utilities Act is amended by changing
19	19	5 Sections 16-115A, 16-118, and 19-115 as follows:
20	20	6 (220 ILCS 5/16-115A)
21	21	7 Sec. 16-115A. Obligations of alternative retail electric
22	22	8 suppliers.
23	23	9 (a) An alternative retail electric supplier:
24	24	10 (i) shall comply with the requirements imposed on
25	25	11 public utilities by Sections 8-201 through 8-207, 8-301,
26	26	12 8-505 and 8-507 of this Act, to the extent that these
27	27	13 Sections have application to the services being offered by
28	28	14 the alternative retail electric supplier;
29	29	15 (ii) shall continue to comply with the requirements
30	30	16 for certification stated in subsection (d) of Section
31	31	17 16-115;
32	32	18 (iii) by May 31, 2020 and every June 30 thereafter,
33	33	19 shall submit to the Commission and the Office of the
34	34	20 Attorney General the rates the retail electric supplier
35	35	21 charged to residential customers in the prior year,
36	36	22 including each distinct rate charged and whether the rate
37	37	23 was a fixed or variable rate, the basis for the variable
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41	41	104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2025 and 2026 HB1284 Introduced , by Rep. Kimberly Du Buclet SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
42	42	220 ILCS 5/16-115A220 ILCS 5/16-118220 ILCS 5/19-115815 ILCS 505/2EE815 ILCS 505/2DDD 220 ILCS 5/16-115A 220 ILCS 5/16-118 220 ILCS 5/19-115 815 ILCS 505/2EE 815 ILCS 505/2DDD
43	43	220 ILCS 5/16-115A
44	44	220 ILCS 5/16-118
45	45	220 ILCS 5/19-115
46	46	815 ILCS 505/2EE
47	47	815 ILCS 505/2DDD
48	48	Amends the Public Utilities Act and the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Prohibits alternative retail electric and gas suppliers from paying incentive-based compensation to people engaged in in-person solicitation or telemarketing. Provides that certain tariffs may be filed by an electric utility with respect to electric utilities providing supply service through an electric aggregation program. Provides that an alternative retail electric utility supplier or alternative gas supplier shall not automatically renew a consumer's enrollment after the current term of the contract expires when the renewed contract provides that the consumer will be charged a rate higher than the current contract rate unless: (i) the alternative retail electric supplier or alternative gas supplier complies with specified notice and disclosure requirements; and (ii) the customer expressly consents to the contract renewal in writing or by electronic signature at least 30 days, but no more than 60 days, before the contract expires.
49	49	LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
50	50	LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
51	51	A BILL FOR
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57	57	220 ILCS 5/16-115A
58	58	220 ILCS 5/16-118
59	59	220 ILCS 5/19-115
60	60	815 ILCS 505/2EE
61	61	815 ILCS 505/2DDD
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80	80	1 rate, and any fees charged in addition to the supply rate,
81	81	2 including monthly fees, flat fees, or other service
82	82	3 charges; and
83	83	4 (iv) shall make publicly available on its website,
84	84	5 without the need for a customer login, rate information
85	85	6 for all of its variable, time-of-use, and fixed rate
86	86	7 contracts currently available to residential customers,
87	87	8 including, but not limited to, fixed monthly charges,
88	88	9 early termination fees, and kilowatt-hour charges.
89	89	10 (b) An alternative retail electric supplier shall obtain
90	90	11 verifiable authorization from a customer, in a form or manner
91	91	12 approved by the Commission consistent with Section 2EE of the
92	92	13 Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act, before
93	93	14 the customer is switched from another supplier.
94	94	15 (c) No alternative retail electric supplier, or electric
95	95	16 utility other than the electric utility in whose service area
96	96	17 a customer is located, shall (i) enter into or employ any
97	97	18 arrangements which have the effect of preventing a retail
98	98	19 customer with a maximum electrical demand of less than one
99	99	20 megawatt from having access to the services of the electric
100	100	21 utility in whose service area the customer is located or (ii)
101	101	22 charge retail customers for such access. This subsection shall
102	102	23 not be construed to prevent an arms-length agreement between a
103	103	24 supplier and a retail customer that sets a term of service,
104	104	25 notice period for terminating service and provisions governing
105	105	26 early termination through a tariff or contract as allowed by
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116	116	1 Section 16-119.
117	117	2 (d) An alternative retail electric supplier that is
118	118	3 certified to serve residential or small commercial retail
119	119	4 customers shall not:
120	120	5 (1) deny service to a customer or group of customers
121	121	6 nor establish any differences as to prices, terms,
122	122	7 conditions, services, products, facilities, or in any
123	123	8 other respect, whereby such denial or differences are
124	124	9 based upon race, gender or income, except as provided in
125	125	10 Section 16-115E.
126	126	11 (2) deny service to a customer or group of customers
127	127	12 based on locality nor establish any unreasonable
128	128	13 difference as to prices, terms, conditions, services,
129	129	14 products, or facilities as between localities.
130	130	15 (3) warrant that it has a residential customer or
131	131	16 small commercial retail customer's express consent
132	132	17 agreement to access interval data as described in
133	133	18 subsection (b) of Section 16-122, unless the alternative
134	134	19 retail electric supplier has:
135	135	20 (A) disclosed to the consumer at the outset of the
136	136	21 offer that the alternative retail electric supplier
137	137	22 will access the consumer's interval data from the
138	138	23 consumer's utility with the consumer's express
139	139	24 agreement and the consumer's option to refuse to
140	140	25 provide express agreement to access the consumer's
141	141	26 interval data; and
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152	152	1 (B) obtained the consumer's express agreement for
153	153	2 the alternative retail electric supplier to access the
154	154	3 consumer's interval data from the consumer's utility
155	155	4 in a separate letter of agency, a distinct response to
156	156	5 a third-party verification, or as a separate
157	157	6 affirmative consent during a recorded enrollment
158	158	7 initiated by the consumer. The disclosure by the
159	159	8 alternative retail electric supplier to the consumer
160	160	9 in this Section shall be conducted in, translated
161	161	10 into, and provided in a language in which the consumer
162	162	11 subject to the disclosure is able to understand and
163	163	12 communicate.
164	164	13 (4) release, sell, license, or otherwise disclose any
165	165	14 customer interval data obtained under Section 16-122 to
166	166	15 any third person except as provided for in Section 16-122
167	167	16 and paragraphs (1) through (4) of subsection (d-5) of
168	168	17 Section 2EE of the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business
169	169	18 Practices Act.
170	170	19 (e) An alternative retail electric supplier shall comply
171	171	20 with the following requirements with respect to the marketing,
172	172	21 offering and provision of products or services to residential
173	173	22 and small commercial retail customers:
174	174	23 (i) All marketing materials, including, but not
175	175	24 limited to, electronic marketing materials, in-person
176	176	25 solicitations, and telephone solicitations, shall contain
177	177	26 information that adequately discloses the prices, terms,
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188	188	1 and conditions of the products or services that the
189	189	2 alternative retail electric supplier is offering or
190	190	3 selling to the customer and shall disclose the current
191	191	4 utility electric supply price to compare applicable at the
192	192	5 time the alternative retail electric supplier is offering
193	193	6 or selling the products or services to the customer and
194	194	7 shall disclose the date on which the utility electric
195	195	8 supply price to compare became effective and the date on
196	196	9 which it will expire. The utility electric supply price to
197	197	10 compare shall be the sum of the electric supply charge and
198	198	11 the transmission services charge and shall not include the
199	199	12 purchased electricity adjustment. The disclosure shall
200	200	13 include a statement that the price to compare does not
201	201	14 include the purchased electricity adjustment, and, if
202	202	15 applicable, the range of the purchased electricity
203	203	16 adjustment. All marketing materials, including, but not
204	204	17 limited to, electronic marketing materials, in-person
205	205	18 solicitations, and telephone solicitations, shall include
206	206	19 the following statement:
207	207	20 "(Name of the alternative retail electric
208	208	21 supplier) is not the same entity as your electric
209	209	22 delivery company. You are not required to enroll with
210	210	23 (name of alternative retail electric supplier).
211	211	24 Beginning on (effective date), the electric supply
212	212	25 price to compare is (price in cents per kilowatt
213	213	26 hour). The electric utility electric supply price will
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224	224	1 expire on (expiration date). The utility electric
225	225	2 supply price to compare does not include the purchased
226	226	3 electricity adjustment factor. For more information go
227	227	4 to the Illinois Commerce Commission's free website at
228	228	5 www.pluginillinois.org.".
229	229	6 If applicable, the statement shall also include the
230	230	7 following statement:
231	231	8 "The purchased electricity adjustment factor may
232	232	9 range between +.5 cents and -.5 cents per kilowatt
233	233	10 hour.".
234	234	11 This paragraph (i) does not apply to goodwill or
235	235	12 institutional advertising.
236	236	13 (ii) Before any customer is switched from another
237	237	14 supplier, the alternative retail electric supplier shall
238	238	15 give the customer written information that adequately
239	239	16 discloses, in plain language, the prices, terms and
240	240	17 conditions of the products and services being offered and
241	241	18 sold to the customer. This written information shall be
242	242	19 provided in a language in which the customer subject to
243	243	20 the marketing or solicitation is able to understand and
244	244	21 communicate, and the alternative retail electric supplier
245	245	22 shall not switch a customer who is unable to understand
246	246	23 and communicate in a language in which the marketing or
247	247	24 solicitation was conducted. The alternative retail
248	248	25 electric supplier shall comply with Section 2N of the
249	249	26 Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act.
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260	260	1 (iii) An alternative retail electric supplier shall
261	261	2 provide documentation to the Commission and to customers
262	262	3 that substantiates any claims made by the alternative
263	263	4 retail electric supplier regarding the technologies and
264	264	5 fuel types used to generate the electricity offered or
265	265	6 sold to customers.
266	266	7 (iv) The alternative retail electric supplier shall
267	267	8 provide to the customer (1) itemized billing statements
268	268	9 that describe the products and services provided to the
269	269	10 customer and their prices, and (2) an additional
270	270	11 statement, at least annually, that adequately discloses
271	271	12 the average monthly prices, and the terms and conditions,
272	272	13 of the products and services sold to the customer.
273	273	14 (v) All in-person and telephone solicitations shall be
274	274	15 conducted in, translated into, and provided in a language
275	275	16 in which the consumer subject to the marketing or
276	276	17 solicitation is able to understand and communicate. An
277	277	18 alternative retail electric supplier shall terminate a
278	278	19 solicitation if the consumer subject to the marketing or
279	279	20 communication is unable to understand and communicate in
280	280	21 the language in which the marketing or solicitation is
281	281	22 being conducted. An alternative retail electric supplier
282	282	23 shall comply with Section 2N of the Consumer Fraud and
283	283	24 Deceptive Business Practices Act.
284	284	25 (vi) Each alternative retail electric supplier shall
285	285	26 conduct training for individual representatives engaged in
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296	296	1 in-person solicitation and telemarketing to residential
297	297	2 customers on behalf of that alternative retail electric
298	298	3 supplier prior to conducting any such solicitations on the
299	299	4 alternative retail electric supplier's behalf. Each
300	300	5 alternative retail electric supplier shall submit a copy
301	301	6 of its training material to the Commission on an annual
302	302	7 basis and the Commission shall have the right to review
303	303	8 and require updates to the material. After initial
304	304	9 training, each alternative retail electric supplier shall
305	305	10 be required to conduct refresher training for its
306	306	11 individual representatives every 6 months.
307	307	12 (vii) Alternative retail electric suppliers may not
308	308	13 pay a commission or other incentive-based compensation to
309	309	14 individuals engaged in in-person solicitation or
310	310	15 telemarketing.
311	311	16 (f) An alternative retail electric supplier may limit the
312	312	17 overall size or availability of a service offering by
313	313	18 specifying one or more of the following: a maximum number of
314	314	19 customers, maximum amount of electric load to be served, time
315	315	20 period during which the offering will be available, or other
316	316	21 comparable limitation, but not including the geographic
317	317	22 locations of customers within the area which the alternative
318	318	23 retail electric supplier is certificated to serve. The
319	319	24 alternative retail electric supplier shall file the terms and
320	320	25 conditions of such service offering including the applicable
321	321	26 limitations with the Commission prior to making the service
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332	332	1 offering available to customers.
333	333	2 (g) Nothing in this Section shall be construed as
334	334	3 preventing an alternative retail electric supplier, which is
335	335	4 an affiliate of, or which contracts with, (i) an industry or
336	336	5 trade organization or association, (ii) a membership
337	337	6 organization or association that exists for a purpose other
338	338	7 than the purchase of electricity, or (iii) another
339	339	8 organization that meets criteria established in a rule adopted
340	340	9 by the Commission, from offering through the organization or
341	341	10 association services at prices, terms and conditions that are
342	342	11 available solely to the members of the organization or
343	343	12 association.
344	344	13 (Source: P.A. 102-459, eff. 8-20-21; 103-237, eff. 6-30-23.)
345	345	14 (220 ILCS 5/16-118)
346	346	15 Sec. 16-118. Services provided by electric utilities to
347	347	16 alternative retail electric suppliers.
348	348	17 (a) It is in the best interest of Illinois energy
349	349	18 consumers to promote fair and open competition in the
350	350	19 provision of electric power and energy and to prevent
351	351	20 anticompetitive practices in the provision of electric power
352	352	21 and energy. Therefore, to the extent an electric utility
353	353	22 provides electric power and energy or delivery services to
354	354	23 alternative retail electric suppliers and such services are
355	355	24 not subject to the jurisdiction of the Federal Energy
356	356	25 Regulatory Commission, and are not competitive services, they
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367	367	1 shall be provided through tariffs that are filed with the
368	368	2 Commission, pursuant to Article IX of this Act. Each electric
369	369	3 utility shall permit alternative retail electric suppliers to
370	370	4 interconnect facilities to those owned by the utility provided
371	371	5 they meet established standards for such interconnection, and
372	372	6 may provide standby or other services to alternative retail
373	373	7 electric suppliers. The alternative retail electric supplier
374	374	8 shall sign a contract setting forth the prices, terms and
375	375	9 conditions for interconnection with the electric utility and
376	376	10 the prices, terms and conditions for services provided by the
377	377	11 electric utility to the alternative retail electric supplier
378	378	12 in connection with the delivery by the electric utility of
379	379	13 electric power and energy supplied by the alternative retail
380	380	14 electric supplier.
381	381	15 (b) An electric utility shall file a tariff pursuant to
382	382	16 Article IX of the Act that would allow alternative retail
383	383	17 electric suppliers or electric utilities providing supply
384	384	18 service through an electric aggregation program other than the
385	385	19 electric utility in whose service area retail customers are
386	386	20 located to issue single bills to the retail customers for both
387	387	21 the services provided by such alternative retail electric
388	388	22 supplier or other electric utility and the delivery services
389	389	23 provided by the electric utility to such customers. The tariff
390	390	24 filed pursuant to this subsection shall (i) require partial
391	391	25 payments made by retail customers to be credited first to the
392	392	26 electric utility's tariffed services, (ii) impose commercially
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403	403	1 reasonable terms with respect to credit and collection,
404	404	2 including requests for deposits, (iii) retain the electric
405	405	3 utility's right to disconnect the retail customers, if it does
406	406	4 not receive payment for its tariffed services, in the same
407	407	5 manner that it would be permitted to if it had billed for the
408	408	6 services itself, and (iv) require the alternative retail
409	409	7 electric supplier or other electric utility providing supply
410	410	8 service through an electric aggregation program that elects
411	411	9 the billing option provided by this tariff to include on each
412	412	10 bill to retail customers an identification of the electric
413	413	11 utility providing the delivery services and a listing of the
414	414	12 charges applicable to such services. The tariff filed pursuant
415	415	13 to this subsection may also include other just and reasonable
416	416	14 terms and conditions. In addition, an electric utility, an
417	417	15 alternative retail electric supplier or electric utility other
418	418	16 than the electric utility in whose service area the customer
419	419	17 is located, and a customer served by such alternative retail
420	420	18 electric supplier or other electric utility, may enter into an
421	421	19 agreement pursuant to which the alternative retail electric
422	422	20 supplier or other electric utility pays the charges specified
423	423	21 in Section 16-108, or other customer-related charges,
424	424	22 including taxes and fees, in lieu of such charges being
425	425	23 recovered by the electric utility directly from the customer.
426	426	24 (c) An electric utility with more than 100,000 customers
427	427	25 shall file a tariff pursuant to Article IX of this Act that
428	428	26 provides alternative retail electric suppliers, and electric
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439	439	1 utilities providing supply service through an electric
440	440	2 aggregation program other than the electric utility in whose
441	441	3 service area the retail customers are located, with the option
442	442	4 to have the electric utility purchase their receivables for
443	443	5 power and energy service provided to residential retail
444	444	6 customers and non-residential retail customers with a
445	445	7 non-coincident peak demand of less than 400 kilowatts through
446	446	8 an electric aggregation program. Receivables for power and
447	447	9 energy service of alternative retail electric suppliers or
448	448	10 electric utilities providing supply service through an
449	449	11 electric aggregation program other than the electric utility
450	450	12 in whose service area the retail customers are located shall
451	451	13 be purchased by the electric utility at a just and reasonable
452	452	14 discount rate to be reviewed and approved by the Commission
453	453	15 after notice and hearing. The discount rate shall be based on
454	454	16 the electric utility's historical bad debt and any reasonable
455	455	17 start-up costs and administrative costs associated with the
456	456	18 electric utility's purchase of receivables. The discounted
457	457	19 rate for purchase of receivables shall be included in the
458	458	20 tariff filed pursuant to this subsection (c). The discount
459	459	21 rate filed pursuant to this subsection (c) shall be subject to
460	460	22 periodic Commission review. The electric utility retains the
461	461	23 right to impose the same terms on retail customers with
462	462	24 respect to credit and collection, including requests for
463	463	25 deposits, and retain the electric utility's right to
464	464	26 disconnect the retail customers, if it does not receive
465	465
466	466
467	467
468	468
469	469
470	470	HB1284 - 12 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
471	471
472	472
473	473	HB1284- 13 -LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b HB1284 - 13 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
474	474	HB1284 - 13 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
475	475	1 payment for its tariffed services or purchased receivables, in
476	476	2 the same manner that it would be permitted to if the retail
477	477	3 customers purchased power and energy from the electric
478	478	4 utility. The tariff filed pursuant to this subsection (c)
479	479	5 shall permit the electric utility to recover from retail
480	480	6 customers any uncollected receivables that may arise as a
481	481	7 result of the purchase of receivables under this subsection
482	482	8 (c), may also include other just and reasonable terms and
483	483	9 conditions, and shall provide for the prudently incurred costs
484	484	10 associated with the provision of this service pursuant to this
485	485	11 subsection (c). Nothing in this subsection (c) permits the
486	486	12 double recovery of bad debt expenses from customers.
487	487	13 (d) An electric utility with more than 100,000 customers
488	488	14 shall file a tariff pursuant to Article IX of this Act that
489	489	15 would provide alternative retail electric suppliers or
490	490	16 electric utilities providing supply service through an
491	491	17 electric aggregation program other than the electric utility
492	492	18 in whose service area retail customers are located with the
493	493	19 option to have the electric utility produce and provide single
494	494	20 bills to the retail customers for both the electric power and
495	495	21 energy service provided by the alternative retail electric
496	496	22 supplier or other electric utility providing supply service
497	497	23 through an electric aggregation program and the delivery
498	498	24 services provided by the electric utility to the customers.
499	499	25 The tariffs filed pursuant to this subsection shall require
500	500	26 the electric utility to collect and remit customer payments
501	501
502	502
503	503
504	504
505	505
506	506	HB1284 - 13 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
507	507
508	508
509	509	HB1284- 14 -LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b HB1284 - 14 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
510	510	HB1284 - 14 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
511	511	1 for electric power and energy service provided by alternative
512	512	2 retail electric suppliers or electric utilities providing
513	513	3 supply service through an electric aggregation program other
514	514	4 than the electric utility in whose service area retail
515	515	5 customers are located. The tariff filed pursuant to this
516	516	6 subsection shall require the electric utility to include on
517	517	7 each bill to retail customers an identification of the
518	518	8 alternative retail electric supplier or other electric utility
519	519	9 that elects the billing option. The tariff filed pursuant to
520	520	10 this subsection (d) may also include other just and reasonable
521	521	11 terms and conditions and shall provide for the recovery of
522	522	12 prudently incurred costs associated with the provision of
523	523	13 service pursuant to this subsection (d). The costs associated
524	524	14 with the provision of service pursuant to this Section shall
525	525	15 be subject to periodic Commission review.
526	526	16 (e) An electric utility with more than 100,000 customers
527	527	17 in this State shall file a tariff pursuant to Article IX of
528	528	18 this Act that provides alternative retail electric suppliers,
529	529	19 and electric utilities providing supply service through an
530	530	20 electric aggregation program other than the electric utility
531	531	21 in whose service area the retail customers are located, with
532	532	22 the option to have the electric utility purchase 2 billing
533	533	23 cycles worth of uncollectible receivables for power and energy
534	534	24 service provided to residential retail customers and to
535	535	25 non-residential retail customers with a non-coincident peak
536	536	26 demand of less than 400 kilowatts participating in a municipal
537	537
538	538
539	539
540	540
541	541
542	542	HB1284 - 14 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
543	543
544	544
545	545	HB1284- 15 -LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b HB1284 - 15 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
546	546	HB1284 - 15 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
547	547	1 aggregation program upon returning that customer to that
548	548	2 electric utility for delivery and energy service after that
549	549	3 alternative retail electric supplier, or an electric utility
550	550	4 other than the electric utility in whose service area the
551	551	5 retail customer is located, has made reasonable collection
552	552	6 efforts on that account. Uncollectible receivables for power
553	553	7 and energy service of alternative retail electric suppliers,
554	554	8 or electric utilities providing supply service through an
555	555	9 electric aggregation program other than the electric utility
556	556	10 in whose service area the retail customers are located, shall
557	557	11 be purchased by the electric utility at a just and reasonable
558	558	12 discount rate to be reviewed and approved by the Commission,
559	559	13 after notice and hearing. The discount rate shall be based on
560	560	14 the electric utility's historical bad debt for receivables
561	561	15 that are outstanding for a similar length of time and any
562	562	16 reasonable start-up costs and administrative costs associated
563	563	17 with the electric utility's purchase of receivables. The
564	564	18 discounted rate for purchase of uncollectible receivables
565	565	19 shall be included in the tariff filed pursuant to this
566	566	20 subsection (e). The electric utility retains the right to
567	567	21 impose the same terms on these retail customers with respect
568	568	22 to credit and collection, including requests for deposits, and
569	569	23 retains the right to disconnect these retail customers, if it
570	570	24 does not receive payment for its tariffed services or
571	571	25 purchased receivables, in the same manner that it would be
572	572	26 permitted to if the retail customers had purchased power and
573	573
574	574
575	575
576	576
577	577
578	578	HB1284 - 15 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
579	579
580	580
581	581	HB1284- 16 -LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b HB1284 - 16 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
582	582	HB1284 - 16 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
583	583	1 energy from the electric utility. The tariff filed pursuant to
584	584	2 this subsection (e) shall permit the electric utility to
585	585	3 recover from retail customers any uncollectible uncollectable
586	586	4 receivables that may arise as a result of the purchase of
587	587	5 uncollectible receivables under this subsection (e), may also
588	588	6 include other just and reasonable terms and conditions, and
589	589	7 shall provide for the prudently incurred costs associated with
590	590	8 the provision of this service pursuant to this subsection (e).
591	591	9 Nothing in this subsection (e) permits the double recovery of
592	592	10 utility bad debt expenses from customers. The electric utility
593	593	11 may file a joint tariff for this subsection (e) and subsection
594	594	12 (c) of this Section.
595	595	13 (f) Every alternative retail electric supplier or electric
596	596	14 utility other than the electric utility in whose service area
597	597	15 retail customers are located that issues single bills to the
598	598	16 retail customers for the services provided by the alternative
599	599	17 retail electric supplier or other electric utility to the
600	600	18 customers shall include on the single bills issued to
601	601	19 residential customers the current utility electric supply
602	602	20 price to compare that would apply to the customer for the
603	603	21 billing period if the customer obtained supply from the
604	604	22 utility. The current utility electric supply price shall be
605	605	23 the sum of the electric supply charge and the transmission
606	606	24 services charge and shall disclose that the price does not
607	607	25 include the monthly purchased electricity adjustment.
608	608	26 (g) Every electric utility that provides delivery and
609	609
610	610
611	611
612	612
613	613
614	614	HB1284 - 16 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
615	615
616	616
617	617	HB1284- 17 -LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b HB1284 - 17 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
618	618	HB1284 - 17 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
619	619	1 supply services shall include on each bill issued to
620	620	2 residential customers who obtain supply from an alternative
621	621	3 retail electric supplier the current utility electric supply
622	622	4 price to compare that would apply to the customer for the
623	623	5 billing period if the customer obtained supply from the
624	624	6 utility. The current utility electric supply price to compare
625	625	7 shall be the sum of the electric supply charge and the
626	626	8 transmission services charge and shall disclose that the price
627	627	9 does not include the monthly purchased electricity adjustment.
628	628	10 (Source: P.A. 101-590, eff. 1-1-20.)
629	629	11 (220 ILCS 5/19-115)
630	630	12 Sec. 19-115. Obligations of alternative gas suppliers.
631	631	13 (a) The provisions of this Section shall apply only to
632	632	14 alternative gas suppliers serving or seeking to serve
633	633	15 residential or small commercial customers and only to the
634	634	16 extent such alternative gas suppliers provide services to
635	635	17 residential or small commercial customers.
636	636	18 (b) An alternative gas supplier:
637	637	19 (1) shall comply with the requirements imposed on
638	638	20 public utilities by Sections 8-201 through 8-207, 8-301,
639	639	21 8-505 and 8-507 of this Act, to the extent that these
640	640	22 Sections have application to the services being offered by
641	641	23 the alternative gas supplier;
642	642	24 (2) shall continue to comply with the requirements for
643	643	25 certification stated in Section 19-110;
644	644
645	645
646	646
647	647
648	648
649	649	HB1284 - 17 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
650	650
651	651
652	652	HB1284- 18 -LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b HB1284 - 18 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
653	653	HB1284 - 18 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
654	654	1 (3) shall comply with complaint procedures established
655	655	2 by the Commission;
656	656	3 (4) except as provided in subsection (h) of this
657	657	4 Section, shall file with the Chief Clerk of the
658	658	5 Commission, within 20 business days after the effective
659	659	6 date of this amendatory Act of the 95th General Assembly,
660	660	7 a copy of bill formats, standard customer contract and
661	661	8 customer complaint and resolution procedures, and the name
662	662	9 and telephone number of the company representative whom
663	663	10 Commission employees may contact to resolve customer
664	664	11 complaints and other matters. In the case of a gas
665	665	12 supplier that engages in door-to-door solicitation, the
666	666	13 company shall file with the Commission the consumer
667	667	14 information disclosure required by item (3) of subsection
668	668	15 (c) of Section 2DDD of the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive
669	669	16 Business Practices Act and shall file updated information
670	670	17 within 10 business days after changes in any of the
671	671	18 documents or information required to be filed by this item
672	672	19 (4);
673	673	20 (5) shall maintain a customer call center where
674	674	21 customers can reach a representative and receive current
675	675	22 information. At least once every 6 months, each
676	676	23 alternative gas supplier shall provide written information
677	677	24 to customers explaining how to contact the call center.
678	678	25 The average answer time for calls placed to the call
679	679	26 center shall not exceed 60 seconds where a representative
680	680
681	681
682	682
683	683
684	684
685	685	HB1284 - 18 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
686	686
687	687
688	688	HB1284- 19 -LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b HB1284 - 19 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
689	689	HB1284 - 19 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
690	690	1 or automated system is ready to render assistance and/or
691	691	2 accept information to process calls. The abandon rate for
692	692	3 calls placed to the call center shall not exceed 10%. Each
693	693	4 alternative gas supplier shall maintain records of the
694	694	5 call center's telephone answer time performance and
695	695	6 abandon call rate. These records shall be kept for a
696	696	7 minimum of 2 years and shall be made available to
697	697	8 Commission personnel upon request. In the event that
698	698	9 answer times and/or abandon rates exceed the limits
699	699	10 established above, the reporting alternative gas supplier
700	700	11 may provide the Commission or its personnel with
701	701	12 explanatory details. At a minimum, these records shall
702	702	13 contain the following information in monthly increments:
703	703	14 (A) total number of calls received;
704	704	15 (B) number of calls answered;
705	705	16 (C) average answer time;
706	706	17 (D) number of abandoned calls; and
707	707	18 (E) abandon call rate.
708	708	19 Alternative gas suppliers that do not have electronic
709	709	20 answering capability that meets these requirements shall
710	710	21 notify the Manager of the Commission's Consumer Services
711	711	22 Division or its successor within 30 days following the
712	712	23 effective date of this amendatory Act of the 95th General
713	713	24 Assembly and work with Staff to develop individualized
714	714	25 reporting requirements as to the call volume and
715	715	26 responsiveness of the call center.
716	716
717	717
718	718
719	719
720	720
721	721	HB1284 - 19 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
722	722
723	723
724	724	HB1284- 20 -LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b HB1284 - 20 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
725	725	HB1284 - 20 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
726	726	1 On or before March 1 of every year, each entity shall
727	727	2 file a report with the Chief Clerk of the Commission for
728	728	3 the preceding calendar year on its answer time and abandon
729	729	4 call rate for its call center. A copy of the report shall
730	730	5 be sent to the Manager of the Consumer Services Division
731	731	6 or its successor;
732	732	7 (6) by January 1, 2020 and every September 30
733	733	8 thereafter, shall submit to the Commission and the Office
734	734	9 of the Attorney General the rates the alternative gas
735	735	10 supplier charged to residential customers in the prior
736	736	11 year, including each distinct rate charged and whether the
737	737	12 rate was a fixed or variable rate, the basis for the
738	738	13 variable rate, and any fees charged in addition to the
739	739	14 supply rate, including monthly fees, flat fees, or other
740	740	15 service charges; and
741	741	16 (7) shall make publicly available on its website,
742	742	17 without the need for a customer login, rate information
743	743	18 for all of its variable, time-of-use, and fixed rate
744	744	19 contracts currently available to residential customers,
745	745	20 including but not limited to, fixed monthly charges, early
746	746	21 termination fees, and per therm charges.
747	747	22 (c) An alternative gas supplier shall not submit or
748	748	23 execute a change in a customer's selection of a natural gas
749	749	24 provider unless and until (i) the alternative gas supplier
750	750	25 first discloses all material terms and conditions of the
751	751	26 offer, including price, to the customer; (ii) the alternative
752	752
753	753
754	754
755	755
756	756
757	757	HB1284 - 20 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
758	758
759	759
760	760	HB1284- 21 -LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b HB1284 - 21 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
761	761	HB1284 - 21 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
762	762	1 gas supplier has obtained the customer's express agreement to
763	763	2 accept the offer after the disclosure of all material terms
764	764	3 and conditions of the offer; and (iii) the alternative gas
765	765	4 supplier has confirmed the request for a change in accordance
766	766	5 with one of the following procedures:
767	767	6 (1) The alternative gas supplier has obtained the
768	768	7 customer's written or electronically signed authorization
769	769	8 in a form that meets the following requirements:
770	770	9 (A) An alternative gas supplier shall obtain any
771	771	10 necessary written or electronically signed
772	772	11 authorization from a customer for a change in natural
773	773	12 gas service by using a letter of agency as specified in
774	774	13 this Section. Any letter of agency that does not
775	775	14 conform with this Section is invalid.
776	776	15 (B) The letter of agency shall be a separate
777	777	16 document (or an easily separable document containing
778	778	17 only the authorization language described in item (E)
779	779	18 of this paragraph (1)) whose sole purpose is to
780	780	19 authorize a natural gas provider change. The letter of
781	781	20 agency must be signed and dated by the customer
782	782	21 requesting the natural gas provider change.
783	783	22 (C) The letter of agency shall not be combined
784	784	23 with inducements of any kind on the same document.
785	785	24 (D) Notwithstanding items (A) and (B) of this
786	786	25 paragraph (1), the letter of agency may be combined
787	787	26 with checks that contain only the required letter of
788	788
789	789
790	790
791	791
792	792
793	793	HB1284 - 21 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
794	794
795	795
796	796	HB1284- 22 -LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b HB1284 - 22 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
797	797	HB1284 - 22 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
798	798	1 agency language prescribed in item (E) of this
799	799	2 paragraph (1) and the necessary information to make
800	800	3 the check a negotiable instrument. The letter of
801	801	4 agency check shall not contain any promotional
802	802	5 language or material. The letter of agency check shall
803	803	6 contain in easily readable, bold face type on the face
804	804	7 of the check a notice that the consumer is authorizing
805	805	8 a natural gas provider change by signing the check.
806	806	9 The letter of agency language also shall be placed
807	807	10 near the signature line on the back of the check.
808	808	11 (E) At a minimum, the letter of agency must be
809	809	12 printed with a print of sufficient size to be clearly
810	810	13 legible and must contain clear and unambiguous
811	811	14 language that confirms:
812	812	15 (i) the customer's billing name and address;
813	813	16 (ii) the decision to change the natural gas
814	814	17 provider from the current provider to the
815	815	18 prospective alternative gas supplier;
816	816	19 (iii) the terms, conditions, and nature of the
817	817	20 service to be provided to the customer, including,
818	818	21 but not limited to, the rates for the service
819	819	22 contracted for by the customer; and
820	820	23 (iv) that the customer understands that any
821	821	24 natural gas provider selection the customer
822	822	25 chooses may involve a charge to the customer for
823	823	26 changing the customer's natural gas provider.
824	824
825	825
826	826
827	827
828	828
829	829	HB1284 - 22 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
830	830
831	831
832	832	HB1284- 23 -LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b HB1284 - 23 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
833	833	HB1284 - 23 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
834	834	1 (F) Letters of agency shall not suggest or require
835	835	2 that a customer take some action in order to retain the
836	836	3 customer's current natural gas provider.
837	837	4 (G) If any portion of a letter of agency is
838	838	5 translated into another language, then all portions of
839	839	6 the letter of agency must be translated into that
840	840	7 language.
841	841	8 (2) An appropriately qualified independent third party
842	842	9 has obtained, in accordance with the procedures set forth
843	843	10 in this paragraph (2), the customer's oral authorization
844	844	11 to change natural gas providers that confirms and includes
845	845	12 appropriate verification data. The independent third party
846	846	13 must (i) not be owned, managed, controlled, or directed by
847	847	14 the alternative gas supplier or the alternative gas
848	848	15 supplier's marketing agent; (ii) not have any financial
849	849	16 incentive to confirm provider change requests for the
850	850	17 alternative gas supplier or the alternative gas supplier's
851	851	18 marketing agent; and (iii) operate in a location
852	852	19 physically separate from the alternative gas supplier or
853	853	20 the alternative gas supplier's marketing agent. Automated
854	854	21 third-party verification systems and 3-way conference
855	855	22 calls may be used for verification purposes so long as the
856	856	23 other requirements of this paragraph (2) are satisfied. An
857	857	24 alternative gas supplier or alternative gas supplier's
858	858	25 sales representative initiating a 3-way conference call or
859	859	26 a call through an automated verification system must drop
860	860
861	861
862	862
863	863
864	864
865	865	HB1284 - 23 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
866	866
867	867
868	868	HB1284- 24 -LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b HB1284 - 24 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
869	869	HB1284 - 24 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
870	870	1 off the call once the 3-way connection has been
871	871	2 established. All third-party verification methods shall
872	872	3 elicit, at a minimum, the following information:
873	873	4 (A) the identity of the customer;
874	874	5 (B) confirmation that the person on the call is
875	875	6 authorized to make the provider change;
876	876	7 (C) confirmation that the person on the call wants
877	877	8 to make the provider change;
878	878	9 (D) the names of the providers affected by the
879	879	10 change;
880	880	11 (E) the service address of the service to be
881	881	12 switched; and
882	882	13 (F) the price of the service to be provided and the
883	883	14 material terms and conditions of the service being
884	884	15 offered, including whether any early termination fees
885	885	16 apply.
886	886	17 Third-party verifiers may not market the alternative
887	887	18 gas supplier's services by providing additional
888	888	19 information. All third-party verifications shall be
889	889	20 conducted in the same language that was used in the
890	890	21 underlying sales transaction and shall be recorded in
891	891	22 their entirety. Submitting alternative gas suppliers shall
892	892	23 maintain and preserve audio records of verification of
893	893	24 customer authorization for a minimum period of 2 years
894	894	25 after obtaining the verification. Automated systems must
895	895	26 provide customers with an option to speak with a live
896	896
897	897
898	898
899	899
900	900
901	901	HB1284 - 24 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
902	902
903	903
904	904	HB1284- 25 -LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b HB1284 - 25 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
905	905	HB1284 - 25 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
906	906	1 person at any time during the call.
907	907	2 (3) The alternative gas supplier has obtained the
908	908	3 customer's authorization via an automated verification
909	909	4 system to change natural gas service via telephone. An
910	910	5 automated verification system is an electronic system
911	911	6 that, through pre-recorded prompts, elicits voice
912	912	7 responses, touchtone responses, or both, from the customer
913	913	8 and records both the prompts and the customer's responses.
914	914	9 Such authorization must elicit the information in
915	915	10 paragraph (2)(A) through (F) of this subsection (c).
916	916	11 Alternative gas suppliers electing to confirm sales
917	917	12 electronically through an automated verification system
918	918	13 shall establish one or more toll-free telephone numbers
919	919	14 exclusively for that purpose. Calls to the number or
920	920	15 numbers shall connect a customer to a voice response unit,
921	921	16 or similar mechanism, that makes a date-stamped,
922	922	17 time-stamped recording of the required information
923	923	18 regarding the alternative gas supplier change.
924	924	19 The alternative gas supplier shall not use such
925	925	20 electronic authorization systems to market its services.
926	926	21 (4) When a consumer initiates the call to the
927	927	22 prospective alternative gas supplier, in order to enroll
928	928	23 the consumer as a customer, the prospective alternative
929	929	24 gas supplier must, with the consent of the customer, make
930	930	25 a date-stamped, time-stamped audio recording that elicits,
931	931	26 at a minimum, the following information:
932	932
933	933
934	934
935	935
936	936
937	937	HB1284 - 25 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
938	938
939	939
940	940	HB1284- 26 -LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b HB1284 - 26 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
941	941	HB1284 - 26 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
942	942	1 (A) the identity of the customer;
943	943	2 (B) confirmation that the person on the call is
944	944	3 authorized to make the provider change;
945	945	4 (C) confirmation that the person on the call wants
946	946	5 to make the provider change;
947	947	6 (D) the names of the providers affected by the
948	948	7 change;
949	949	8 (E) the service address of the service to be
950	950	9 switched; and
951	951	10 (F) the price of the service to be supplied and the
952	952	11 material terms and conditions of the service being
953	953	12 offered, including whether any early termination fees
954	954	13 apply.
955	955	14 Submitting alternative gas suppliers shall maintain
956	956	15 and preserve the audio records containing the information
957	957	16 set forth above for a minimum period of 2 years.
958	958	17 (5) In the event that a customer enrolls for service
959	959	18 from an alternative gas supplier via an Internet website,
960	960	19 the alternative gas supplier shall obtain an
961	961	20 electronically signed letter of agency in accordance with
962	962	21 paragraph (1) of this subsection (c) and any customer
963	963	22 information shall be protected in accordance with all
964	964	23 applicable statutes and regulations. In addition, an
965	965	24 alternative gas supplier shall provide the following when
966	966	25 marketing via an Internet website:
967	967	26 (A) The Internet enrollment website shall, at a
968	968
969	969
970	970
971	971
972	972
973	973	HB1284 - 26 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
974	974
975	975
976	976	HB1284- 27 -LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b HB1284 - 27 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
977	977	HB1284 - 27 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
978	978	1 minimum, include:
979	979	2 (i) a copy of the alternative gas supplier's
980	980	3 customer contract that clearly and conspicuously
981	981	4 discloses all terms and conditions; and
982	982	5 (ii) a conspicuous prompt for the customer to
983	983	6 print or save a copy of the contract.
984	984	7 (B) Any electronic version of the contract shall
985	985	8 be identified by version number, in order to ensure
986	986	9 the ability to verify the particular contract to which
987	987	10 the customer assents.
988	988	11 (C) Throughout the duration of the alternative gas
989	989	12 supplier's contract with a customer, the alternative
990	990	13 gas supplier shall retain and, within 3 business days
991	991	14 of the customer's request, provide to the customer an
992	992	15 e-mail, paper, or facsimile of the terms and
993	993	16 conditions of the numbered contract version to which
994	994	17 the customer assents.
995	995	18 (D) The alternative gas supplier shall provide a
996	996	19 mechanism by which both the submission and receipt of
997	997	20 the electronic letter of agency are recorded by time
998	998	21 and date.
999	999	22 (E) After the customer completes the electronic
1000	1000	23 letter of agency, the alternative gas supplier shall
1001	1001	24 disclose conspicuously through its website that the
1002	1002	25 customer has been enrolled, and the alternative gas
1003	1003	26 supplier shall provide the customer an enrollment
1004	1004
1005	1005
1006	1006
1007	1007
1008	1008
1009	1009	HB1284 - 27 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
1010	1010
1011	1011
1012	1012	HB1284- 28 -LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b HB1284 - 28 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
1013	1013	HB1284 - 28 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
1014	1014	1 confirmation number.
1015	1015	2 (6) When a customer is solicited in person by the
1016	1016	3 alternative gas supplier's sales agent, the alternative
1017	1017	4 gas supplier may only obtain the customer's authorization
1018	1018	5 to change natural gas service through the method provided
1019	1019	6 for in paragraph (2) of this subsection (c).
1020	1020	7 Alternative gas suppliers must be in compliance with this
1021	1021	8 subsection (c) within 90 days after the effective date of this
1022	1022	9 amendatory Act of the 95th General Assembly.
1023	1023	10 (d) Complaints may be filed with the Commission under this
1024	1024	11 Section by a customer whose natural gas service has been
1025	1025	12 provided by an alternative gas supplier in a manner not in
1026	1026	13 compliance with subsection (c) of this Section. If, after
1027	1027	14 notice and hearing, the Commission finds that an alternative
1028	1028	15 gas supplier has violated subsection (c), then the Commission
1029	1029	16 may in its discretion do any one or more of the following:
1030	1030	17 (1) Require the violating alternative gas supplier to
1031	1031	18 refund the customer charges collected in excess of those
1032	1032	19 that would have been charged by the customer's authorized
1033	1033	20 natural gas provider.
1034	1034	21 (2) Require the violating alternative gas supplier to
1035	1035	22 pay to the customer's authorized natural gas provider the
1036	1036	23 amount the authorized natural gas provider would have
1037	1037	24 collected for natural gas service. The Commission is
1038	1038	25 authorized to reduce this payment by any amount already
1039	1039	26 paid by the violating alternative gas supplier to the
1040	1040
1041	1041
1042	1042
1043	1043
1044	1044
1045	1045	HB1284 - 28 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
1046	1046
1047	1047
1048	1048	HB1284- 29 -LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b HB1284 - 29 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
1049	1049	HB1284 - 29 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
1050	1050	1 customer's authorized natural gas provider.
1051	1051	2 (3) Require the violating alternative gas supplier to
1052	1052	3 pay a fine of up to $1,000 into the Public Utility Fund for
1053	1053	4 each repeated and intentional violation of this Section.
1054	1054	5 (4) Issue a cease and desist order.
1055	1055	6 (5) For a pattern of violation of this Section or for
1056	1056	7 intentionally violating a cease and desist order, revoke
1057	1057	8 the violating alternative gas supplier's certificate of
1058	1058	9 service authority.
1059	1059	10 (e) No alternative gas supplier shall:
1060	1060	11 (1) enter into or employ any arrangements which have
1061	1061	12 the effect of preventing any customer from having access
1062	1062	13 to the services of the gas utility in whose service area
1063	1063	14 the customer is located;
1064	1064	15 (2) charge customers for such access;
1065	1065	16 (3) bill for goods or services not authorized by the
1066	1066	17 customer; or
1067	1067	18 (4) bill for a disputed amount where the alternative
1068	1068	19 gas supplier has been provided notice of such dispute. The
1069	1069	20 supplier shall attempt to resolve a dispute with the
1070	1070	21 customer. When the dispute is not resolved to the
1071	1071	22 customer's satisfaction, the supplier shall inform the
1072	1072	23 customer of the right to file an informal complaint with
1073	1073	24 the Commission and provide contact information. While the
1074	1074	25 pending dispute is active at the Commission, an
1075	1075	26 alternative gas supplier may bill only for the undisputed
1076	1076
1077	1077
1078	1078
1079	1079
1080	1080
1081	1081	HB1284 - 29 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
1082	1082
1083	1083
1084	1084	HB1284- 30 -LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b HB1284 - 30 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
1085	1085	HB1284 - 30 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
1086	1086	1 amount until the Commission has taken final action on the
1087	1087	2 complaint.
1088	1088	3 (f) An alternative gas supplier that is certified to serve
1089	1089	4 residential or small commercial customers shall not:
1090	1090	5 (1) deny service to a customer or group of customers
1091	1091	6 nor establish any differences as to prices, terms,
1092	1092	7 conditions, services, products, facilities, or in any
1093	1093	8 other respect, whereby such denial or differences are
1094	1094	9 based upon race, gender, or income, except as provided in
1095	1095	10 Section 19-116;
1096	1096	11 (2) deny service based on locality, nor establish any
1097	1097	12 unreasonable difference as to prices, terms, conditions,
1098	1098	13 services, products, or facilities as between localities;
1099	1099	14 (3) include in any agreement a provision that
1100	1100	15 obligates a customer to the terms of the agreement if the
1101	1101	16 customer (i) moves outside the State of Illinois; (ii)
1102	1102	17 moves to a location without a transportation service
1103	1103	18 program; or (iii) moves to a location where the customer
1104	1104	19 will not require natural gas service, provided that
1105	1105	20 nothing in this subsection precludes an alternative gas
1106	1106	21 supplier from taking any action otherwise available to it
1107	1107	22 to collect a debt that arises out of service provided to
1108	1108	23 the customer before the customer moved; or
1109	1109	24 (4) assign the agreement to any alternative natural
1110	1110	25 gas supplier, unless:
1111	1111	26 (A) the supplier is an alternative gas supplier
1112	1112
1113	1113
1114	1114
1115	1115
1116	1116
1117	1117	HB1284 - 30 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
1118	1118
1119	1119
1120	1120	HB1284- 31 -LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b HB1284 - 31 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
1121	1121	HB1284 - 31 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
1122	1122	1 certified by the Commission;
1123	1123	2 (B) the rates, terms, and conditions of the
1124	1124	3 agreement being assigned do not change during the
1125	1125	4 remainder of the time covered by the agreement;
1126	1126	5 (C) the customer is given no less than 30 days
1127	1127	6 prior written notice of the assignment and contact
1128	1128	7 information for the new supplier; and
1129	1129	8 (D) the supplier assigning the contract provides
1130	1130	9 contact information that a customer can use to resolve
1131	1131	10 a dispute; or .
1132	1132	11 (5) pay a commission or other incentive-based
1133	1133	12 compensation to individuals or agents engaged in in-person
1134	1134	13 solicitation or telemarketing.
1135	1135	14 (g) An alternative gas supplier shall comply with the
1136	1136	15 following requirements with respect to the marketing,
1137	1137	16 offering, and provision of products or services:
1138	1138	17 (1) All marketing materials, including, but not
1139	1139	18 limited to, electronic marketing materials, in-person
1140	1140	19 solicitations, and telephone solicitations, concerning
1141	1141	20 prices, terms, and conditions of service shall contain
1142	1142	21 information that adequately discloses the prices, terms,
1143	1143	22 and conditions of the products or services and shall
1144	1144	23 disclose the utility gas supply cost rates per therm price
1145	1145	24 available from the Illinois Commerce Commission website
1146	1146	25 applicable at the time the alternative gas supplier is
1147	1147	26 offering or selling the products or services to the
1148	1148
1149	1149
1150	1150
1151	1151
1152	1152
1153	1153	HB1284 - 31 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
1154	1154
1155	1155
1156	1156	HB1284- 32 -LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b HB1284 - 32 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
1157	1157	HB1284 - 32 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
1158	1158	1 customer and shall disclose the date on which the utility
1159	1159	2 gas supply cost rates per therm became effective and the
1160	1160	3 date on which they will expire. All marketing materials,
1161	1161	4 including, but not limited to, electronic marketing
1162	1162	5 materials, in-person solicitations, and telephone
1163	1163	6 solicitations, shall include the following statement:
1164	1164	7 "(Name of the alternative gas supplier) is not the
1165	1165	8 same entity as your gas delivery company. You are not
1166	1166	9 required to enroll with (name of alternative gas
1167	1167	10 supplier). Beginning on (effective date), the utility
1168	1168	11 gas supply cost rate per therm is (cost). The utility
1169	1169	12 gas supply cost will expire on (expiration date). For
1170	1170	13 more information go to the Illinois Commerce
1171	1171	14 Commission's free website at
1172	1172	15 www.icc.illinois.gov/ags/consumereducation.aspx.".
1173	1173	16 This paragraph (1) does not apply to goodwill or
1174	1174	17 institutional advertising.
1175	1175	18 (2) Before any customer is switched from another
1176	1176	19 supplier, the alternative gas supplier shall give the
1177	1177	20 customer written information that clearly and
1178	1178	21 conspicuously discloses, in plain language, the prices,
1179	1179	22 terms, and conditions of the products and services being
1180	1180	23 offered and sold to the customer. This written information
1181	1181	24 shall be provided in a language in which the customer
1182	1182	25 subject to the marketing or solicitation is able to
1183	1183	26 understand and communicate, and the alternative gas
1184	1184
1185	1185
1186	1186
1187	1187
1188	1188
1189	1189	HB1284 - 32 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
1190	1190
1191	1191
1192	1192	HB1284- 33 -LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b HB1284 - 33 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
1193	1193	HB1284 - 33 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
1194	1194	1 supplier shall not switch a customer who is unable to
1195	1195	2 understand and communicate in a language in which the
1196	1196	3 marketing or solicitation was conducted. The alternative
1197	1197	4 gas supplier shall comply with Section 2N of the Consumer
1198	1198	5 Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Nothing in
1199	1199	6 this paragraph (2) may be read to relieve an alternative
1200	1200	7 gas supplier from the duties imposed on it by item (3) of
1201	1201	8 subsection (c) of Section 2DDD of the Consumer Fraud and
1202	1202	9 Deceptive Business Practices Act.
1203	1203	10 (3) The alternative gas supplier shall provide to the
1204	1204	11 customer:
1205	1205	12 (A) accurate, timely, and itemized billing
1206	1206	13 statements that describe the products and services
1207	1207	14 provided to the customer and their prices and that
1208	1208	15 specify the gas consumption amount and any service
1209	1209	16 charges and taxes; provided that this item (g)(3)(A)
1210	1210	17 does not apply to small commercial customers;
1211	1211	18 (B) billing statements that clearly and
1212	1212	19 conspicuously discloses the name and contact
1213	1213	20 information for the alternative gas supplier;
1214	1214	21 (C) an additional statement, at least annually,
1215	1215	22 that adequately discloses the average monthly prices,
1216	1216	23 and the terms and conditions, of the products and
1217	1217	24 services sold to the customer; provided that this item
1218	1218	25 (g)(3)(C) does not apply to small commercial
1219	1219	26 customers;
1220	1220
1221	1221
1222	1222
1223	1223
1224	1224
1225	1225	HB1284 - 33 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
1226	1226
1227	1227
1228	1228	HB1284- 34 -LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b HB1284 - 34 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
1229	1229	HB1284 - 34 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
1230	1230	1 (D) refunds of any deposits with interest within
1231	1231	2 30 days after the date that the customer changes gas
1232	1232	3 suppliers or discontinues service if the customer has
1233	1233	4 satisfied all of his or her outstanding financial
1234	1234	5 obligations to the alternative gas supplier at an
1235	1235	6 interest rate set by the Commission which shall be the
1236	1236	7 same as that required of gas utilities; and
1237	1237	8 (E) refunds, in a timely fashion, of all
1238	1238	9 undisputed overpayments upon the oral or written
1239	1239	10 request of the customer.
1240	1240	11 (4) An alternative gas supplier and its sales agents
1241	1241	12 shall refrain from any direct marketing or soliciting to
1242	1242	13 consumers on the gas utility's "Do Not Contact List",
1243	1243	14 which the alternative gas supplier shall obtain on the
1244	1244	15 15th calendar day of the month from the gas utility in
1245	1245	16 whose service area the consumer is provided with gas
1246	1246	17 service. If the 15th calendar day is a non-business day,
1247	1247	18 then the alternative gas supplier shall obtain the list on
1248	1248	19 the next business day following the 15th calendar day of
1249	1249	20 that month.
1250	1250	21 (5) Early Termination.
1251	1251	22 (A) Any agreement that contains an early
1252	1252	23 termination clause shall disclose the amount of the
1253	1253	24 early termination fee, provided that any early
1254	1254	25 termination fee or penalty shall not exceed $50 total,
1255	1255	26 regardless of whether or not the agreement is a
1256	1256
1257	1257
1258	1258
1259	1259
1260	1260
1261	1261	HB1284 - 34 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
1262	1262
1263	1263
1264	1264	HB1284- 35 -LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b HB1284 - 35 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
1265	1265	HB1284 - 35 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
1266	1266	1 multiyear agreement.
1267	1267	2 (B) In any agreement that contains an early
1268	1268	3 termination clause, an alternative gas supplier shall
1269	1269	4 provide the customer the opportunity to terminate the
1270	1270	5 agreement without any termination fee or penalty
1271	1271	6 within 10 business days after the date of the first
1272	1272	7 bill issued to the customer for products or services
1273	1273	8 provided by the alternative gas supplier. The
1274	1274	9 agreement shall disclose the opportunity and provide a
1275	1275	10 toll-free phone number that the customer may call in
1276	1276	11 order to terminate the agreement. Beginning January 1,
1277	1277	12 2020, residential and small commercial customers shall
1278	1278	13 have a right to terminate their agreements with
1279	1279	14 alternative gas suppliers at any time without any
1280	1280	15 termination fees or penalties.
1281	1281	16 (6) Within 2 business days after electronic receipt of
1282	1282	17 a customer switch from the alternative gas supplier and
1283	1283	18 confirmation of eligibility, the gas utility shall provide
1284	1284	19 the customer written notice confirming the switch. The gas
1285	1285	20 utility shall not switch the service until 10 business
1286	1286	21 days after the date on the notice to the customer.
1287	1287	22 (7) The alternative gas supplier shall provide each
1288	1288	23 customer the opportunity to rescind its agreement without
1289	1289	24 penalty within 10 business days after the date on the gas
1290	1290	25 utility notice to the customer. The alternative gas
1291	1291	26 supplier shall disclose all of the following:
1292	1292
1293	1293
1294	1294
1295	1295
1296	1296
1297	1297	HB1284 - 35 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
1298	1298
1299	1299
1300	1300	HB1284- 36 -LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b HB1284 - 36 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
1301	1301	HB1284 - 36 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
1302	1302	1 (A) that the gas utility shall send a notice
1303	1303	2 confirming the switch;
1304	1304	3 (B) that from the date the utility issues the
1305	1305	4 notice confirming the switch, the customer shall have
1306	1306	5 10 business days to rescind the switch without
1307	1307	6 penalty;
1308	1308	7 (C) that the customer shall contact the gas
1309	1309	8 utility or the alternative gas supplier to rescind the
1310	1310	9 switch; and
1311	1311	10 (D) the contact information for the gas utility.
1312	1312	11 The alternative gas supplier disclosure shall be
1313	1313	12 included in its sales solicitations, contracts, and all
1314	1314	13 applicable sales verification scripts.
1315	1315	14 (8) All in-person and telephone solicitations shall be
1316	1316	15 conducted in, translated into, and provided in a language
1317	1317	16 in which the consumer subject to the marketing or
1318	1318	17 solicitation is able to understand and communicate. An
1319	1319	18 alternative gas supplier shall terminate a solicitation if
1320	1320	19 the consumer subject to the marketing or communication is
1321	1321	20 unable to understand and communicate in the language in
1322	1322	21 which the marketing or solicitation is being conducted. An
1323	1323	22 alternative gas supplier shall comply with Section 2N of
1324	1324	23 the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act.
1325	1325	24 (h) An alternative gas supplier may limit the overall size
1326	1326	25 or availability of a service offering by specifying one or
1327	1327	26 more of the following:
1328	1328
1329	1329
1330	1330
1331	1331
1332	1332
1333	1333	HB1284 - 36 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
1334	1334
1335	1335
1336	1336	HB1284- 37 -LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b HB1284 - 37 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
1337	1337	HB1284 - 37 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
1338	1338	1 (1) a maximum number of customers and maximum amount
1339	1339	2 of gas load to be served;
1340	1340	3 (2) time period during which the offering will be
1341	1341	4 available; or
1342	1342	5 (3) other comparable limitation, but not including the
1343	1343	6 geographic locations of customers within the area which
1344	1344	7 the alternative gas supplier is certificated to serve.
1345	1345	8 The alternative gas supplier shall file the terms and
1346	1346	9 conditions of such service offering including the applicable
1347	1347	10 limitations with the Commission prior to making the service
1348	1348	11 offering available to customers.
1349	1349	12 (i) Nothing in this Section shall be construed as
1350	1350	13 preventing an alternative gas supplier that is an affiliate
1351	1351	14 of, or which contracts with, (i) an industry or trade
1352	1352	15 organization or association, (ii) a membership organization or
1353	1353	16 association that exists for a purpose other than the purchase
1354	1354	17 of gas, or (iii) another organization that meets criteria
1355	1355	18 established in a rule adopted by the Commission from offering
1356	1356	19 through the organization or association services at prices,
1357	1357	20 terms and conditions that are available solely to the members
1358	1358	21 of the organization or association.
1359	1359	22 (Source: P.A. 101-590, eff. 1-1-20; 102-459, eff. 8-20-21.)
1360	1360	23 Section 10. The Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business
1361	1361	24 Practices Act is amended by changing Sections 2EE and 2DDD as
1362	1362	25 follows:
1363	1363
1364	1364
1365	1365
1366	1366
1367	1367
1368	1368	HB1284 - 37 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
1369	1369
1370	1370
1371	1371	HB1284- 38 -LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b HB1284 - 38 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
1372	1372	HB1284 - 38 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
1373	1373	1 (815 ILCS 505/2EE)
1374	1374	2 Sec. 2EE. Alternative retail electric supplier selection.
1375	1375	3 (a) An alternative retail electric supplier shall not
1376	1376	4 submit or execute a change in a consumer's selection of a
1377	1377	5 provider of electric service unless and until:
1378	1378	6 (i) the alternative retail electric supplier first
1379	1379	7 discloses all material terms and conditions of the offer
1380	1380	8 to the consumer;
1381	1381	9 (ii) if the consumer is a small commercial retail
1382	1382	10 customer as that term is defined in subsection (c) of this
1383	1383	11 Section or a residential consumer, the alternative retail
1384	1384	12 electric supplier discloses the utility electric supply
1385	1385	13 price to compare, which shall be the sum of the electric
1386	1386	14 supply charge and the transmission services charge, and
1387	1387	15 shall not include the purchased electricity adjustment,
1388	1388	16 applicable at the time the offer is made to the consumer;
1389	1389	17 (iii) if the consumer is a small commercial retail
1390	1390	18 customer as that term is defined in subsection (c) of this
1391	1391	19 Section or a residential consumer, the alternative retail
1392	1392	20 electric provider discloses the following statement:
1393	1393	21 "(Name of the alternative retail electric
1394	1394	22 supplier) is not the same entity as your electric
1395	1395	23 delivery company. You are not required to enroll with
1396	1396	24 (name of alternative retail electric supplier). As of
1397	1397	25 (effective date), the electric supply price to compare
1398	1398
1399	1399
1400	1400
1401	1401
1402	1402
1403	1403	HB1284 - 38 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
1404	1404
1405	1405
1406	1406	HB1284- 39 -LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b HB1284 - 39 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
1407	1407	HB1284 - 39 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
1408	1408	1 is currently (price in cents per kilowatt hour). The
1409	1409	2 electric utility electric supply price will expire on
1410	1410	3 (expiration date). The utility electric supply price
1411	1411	4 to compare does not include the purchased electricity
1412	1412	5 adjustment factor. For more information go to the
1413	1413	6 Illinois Commerce Commission's free website at
1414	1414	7 www.pluginillinois.org.".
1415	1415	8 If applicable, the statement shall include the
1416	1416	9 following statement:
1417	1417	10 "The purchased electricity adjustment factor may
1418	1418	11 range between +.5 cents and -.5 cents per kilowatt
1419	1419	12 hour.";
1420	1420	13 (iv) the alternative retail electric supplier has
1421	1421	14 obtained the consumer's express agreement to accept the
1422	1422	15 offer after the disclosure of all material terms and
1423	1423	16 conditions of the offer; and
1424	1424	17 (v) the alternative retail electric supplier has
1425	1425	18 confirmed the request for a change in accordance with one
1426	1426	19 of the following procedures:
1427	1427	20 (A) The new alternative retail electric supplier
1428	1428	21 has obtained the consumer's written or electronically
1429	1429	22 signed authorization in a form that meets the
1430	1430	23 following requirements:
1431	1431	24 (1) An alternative retail electric supplier
1432	1432	25 shall obtain any necessary written or
1433	1433	26 electronically signed authorization from a
1434	1434
1435	1435
1436	1436
1437	1437
1438	1438
1439	1439	HB1284 - 39 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
1440	1440
1441	1441
1442	1442	HB1284- 40 -LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b HB1284 - 40 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
1443	1443	HB1284 - 40 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
1444	1444	1 consumer for a change in electric service by using
1445	1445	2 a letter of agency as specified in this Section.
1446	1446	3 Any letter of agency that does not conform with
1447	1447	4 this Section is invalid.
1448	1448	5 (2) The letter of agency shall be a separate
1449	1449	6 document (an easily separable document containing
1450	1450	7 only the authorization language described in
1451	1451	8 subparagraph (5)) whose sole purpose is to
1452	1452	9 authorize an electric service provider change. The
1453	1453	10 letter of agency must be signed and dated by the
1454	1454	11 consumer requesting the electric service provider
1455	1455	12 change.
1456	1456	13 (3) The letter of agency shall not be combined
1457	1457	14 with inducements of any kind on the same document.
1458	1458	15 (4) Notwithstanding subparagraphs (1) and (2),
1459	1459	16 the letter of agency may be combined with checks
1460	1460	17 that contain only the required letter of agency
1461	1461	18 language prescribed in subparagraph (5) and the
1462	1462	19 necessary information to make the check a
1463	1463	20 negotiable instrument. The letter of agency check
1464	1464	21 shall not contain any promotional language or
1465	1465	22 material. The letter of agency check shall contain
1466	1466	23 in easily readable, bold-face type on the face of
1467	1467	24 the check, a notice that the consumer is
1468	1468	25 authorizing an electric service provider change by
1469	1469	26 signing the check. The letter of agency language
1470	1470
1471	1471
1472	1472
1473	1473
1474	1474
1475	1475	HB1284 - 40 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
1476	1476
1477	1477
1478	1478	HB1284- 41 -LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b HB1284 - 41 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
1479	1479	HB1284 - 41 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
1480	1480	1 also shall be placed near the signature line on
1481	1481	2 the back of the check.
1482	1482	3 (5) At a minimum, the letter of agency must be
1483	1483	4 printed with a print of sufficient size to be
1484	1484	5 clearly legible, and must contain clear and
1485	1485	6 unambiguous language that confirms:
1486	1486	7 (i) The consumer's billing name and
1487	1487	8 address;
1488	1488	9 (ii) The decision to change the electric
1489	1489	10 service provider from the current provider to
1490	1490	11 the prospective provider;
1491	1491	12 (iii) The terms, conditions, and nature of
1492	1492	13 the service to be provided to the consumer
1493	1493	14 must be clearly and conspicuously disclosed,
1494	1494	15 in writing, and an alternative retail electric
1495	1495	16 supplier must directly establish the rates for
1496	1496	17 the service contracted for by the consumer;
1497	1497	18 and
1498	1498	19 (iv) That the consumer understand that any
1499	1499	20 alternative retail electric supplier selection
1500	1500	21 the consumer chooses may involve a charge to
1501	1501	22 the consumer for changing the consumer's
1502	1502	23 electric service provider.
1503	1503	24 (6) Letters of agency shall not suggest or
1504	1504	25 require that a consumer take some action in order
1505	1505	26 to retain the consumer's current electric service
1506	1506
1507	1507
1508	1508
1509	1509
1510	1510
1511	1511	HB1284 - 41 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
1512	1512
1513	1513
1514	1514	HB1284- 42 -LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b HB1284 - 42 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
1515	1515	HB1284 - 42 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
1516	1516	1 provider.
1517	1517	2 (7) If any portion of a letter of agency is
1518	1518	3 translated into another language, then all
1519	1519	4 portions of the letter of agency must be
1520	1520	5 translated into that language.
1521	1521	6 (B) An appropriately qualified independent third
1522	1522	7 party has obtained, in accordance with the procedures
1523	1523	8 set forth in this subsection (b), the consumer's oral
1524	1524	9 authorization to change electric suppliers that
1525	1525	10 confirms and includes appropriate verification data.
1526	1526	11 The independent third party (i) must not be owned,
1527	1527	12 managed, controlled, or directed by the supplier or
1528	1528	13 the supplier's marketing agent; (ii) must not have any
1529	1529	14 financial incentive to confirm supplier change
1530	1530	15 requests for the supplier or the supplier's marketing
1531	1531	16 agent; and (iii) must operate in a location physically
1532	1532	17 separate from the supplier or the supplier's marketing
1533	1533	18 agent.
1534	1534	19 Automated third-party verification systems and
1535	1535	20 3-way conference calls may be used for verification
1536	1536	21 purposes so long as the other requirements of this
1537	1537	22 subsection (b) are satisfied.
1538	1538	23 A supplier or supplier's sales representative
1539	1539	24 initiating a 3-way conference call or a call through
1540	1540	25 an automated verification system must drop off the
1541	1541	26 call once the 3-way connection has been established.
1542	1542
1543	1543
1544	1544
1545	1545
1546	1546
1547	1547	HB1284 - 42 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
1548	1548
1549	1549
1550	1550	HB1284- 43 -LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b HB1284 - 43 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
1551	1551	HB1284 - 43 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
1552	1552	1 All third-party verification methods shall elicit,
1553	1553	2 at a minimum, the following information: (i) the
1554	1554	3 identity of the consumer; (ii) confirmation that the
1555	1555	4 person on the call is the account holder, has been
1556	1556	5 specifically and explicitly authorized by the account
1557	1557	6 holder, or possesses lawful authority to make the
1558	1558	7 supplier change; (iii) confirmation that the person on
1559	1559	8 the call wants to make the supplier change; (iv) the
1560	1560	9 names of the suppliers affected by the change; (v) the
1561	1561	10 service address of the supply to be switched; and (vi)
1562	1562	11 the price of the service to be supplied and the
1563	1563	12 material terms and conditions of the service being
1564	1564	13 offered, including whether any early termination fees
1565	1565	14 apply. Third-party verifiers may not market the
1566	1566	15 supplier's services by providing additional
1567	1567	16 information, including information regarding
1568	1568	17 procedures to block or otherwise freeze an account
1569	1569	18 against further changes.
1570	1570	19 All third-party verifications shall be conducted
1571	1571	20 in the same language that was used in the underlying
1572	1572	21 sales transaction and shall be recorded in their
1573	1573	22 entirety. Submitting suppliers shall maintain and
1574	1574	23 preserve audio records of verification of subscriber
1575	1575	24 authorization for a minimum period of 2 years after
1576	1576	25 obtaining the verification. Automated systems must
1577	1577	26 provide consumers with an option to speak with a live
1578	1578
1579	1579
1580	1580
1581	1581
1582	1582
1583	1583	HB1284 - 43 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
1584	1584
1585	1585
1586	1586	HB1284- 44 -LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b HB1284 - 44 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
1587	1587	HB1284 - 44 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
1588	1588	1 person at any time during the call. Each disclosure
1589	1589	2 made during the third-party verification must be made
1590	1590	3 individually to obtain clear acknowledgment of each
1591	1591	4 disclosure. The alternative retail electric supplier
1592	1592	5 must be in a location where he or she cannot hear the
1593	1593	6 customer while the third-party verification is
1594	1594	7 conducted. The alternative retail electric supplier
1595	1595	8 shall not contact the customer after the third-party
1596	1596	9 verification for a period of 24 hours unless the
1597	1597	10 customer initiates the contact.
1598	1598	11 (C) When a consumer initiates the call to the
1599	1599	12 prospective alternative retail electric supplier, in
1600	1600	13 order to enroll the consumer as a customer, the
1601	1601	14 prospective alternative retail electric supplier must,
1602	1602	15 with the consent of the customer, make a date-stamped,
1603	1603	16 time-stamped audio recording that elicits, at a
1604	1604	17 minimum, the following information:
1605	1605	18 (1) the identity of the customer;
1606	1606	19 (2) confirmation that the person on the call
1607	1607	20 is authorized to make the supplier change;
1608	1608	21 (3) confirmation that the person on the call
1609	1609	22 wants to make the supplier change;
1610	1610	23 (4) the names of the suppliers affected by the
1611	1611	24 change;
1612	1612	25 (5) the service address of the supply to be
1613	1613	26 switched; and
1614	1614
1615	1615
1616	1616
1617	1617
1618	1618
1619	1619	HB1284 - 44 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
1620	1620
1621	1621
1622	1622	HB1284- 45 -LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b HB1284 - 45 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
1623	1623	HB1284 - 45 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
1624	1624	1 (6) the price of the service to be supplied
1625	1625	2 and the material terms and conditions of the
1626	1626	3 service being offered, including whether any early
1627	1627	4 termination fees apply.
1628	1628	5 Submitting suppliers shall maintain and preserve
1629	1629	6 the audio records containing the information set forth
1630	1630	7 above for a minimum period of 2 years.
1631	1631	8 (b)(1) An alternative retail electric supplier shall not
1632	1632	9 utilize the name of a public utility in any manner that is
1633	1633	10 deceptive or misleading, including, but not limited to,
1634	1634	11 implying or otherwise leading a consumer to believe that an
1635	1635	12 alternative retail electric supplier is soliciting on behalf
1636	1636	13 of or is an agent of a utility. An alternative retail electric
1637	1637	14 supplier shall not utilize the name, or any other identifying
1638	1638	15 insignia, graphics, or wording that has been used at any time
1639	1639	16 to represent a public utility company or its services, to
1640	1640	17 identify, label, or define any of its electric power and
1641	1641	18 energy service offers. An alternative retail electric supplier
1642	1642	19 may state the name of a public electric utility in order to
1643	1643	20 accurately describe the electric utility service territories
1644	1644	21 in which the supplier is currently offering an electric power
1645	1645	22 and energy service. An alternative retail electric supplier
1646	1646	23 that is the affiliate of an Illinois public utility and that
1647	1647	24 was doing business in Illinois providing alternative retail
1648	1648	25 electric service on January 1, 2016 may continue to use that
1649	1649	26 public utility's name, logo, identifying insignia, graphics,
1650	1650
1651	1651
1652	1652
1653	1653
1654	1654
1655	1655	HB1284 - 45 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
1656	1656
1657	1657
1658	1658	HB1284- 46 -LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b HB1284 - 46 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
1659	1659	HB1284 - 46 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
1660	1660	1 or wording in its business operations occurring outside the
1661	1661	2 service territory of the public utility with which it is
1662	1662	3 affiliated.
1663	1663	4 (2) An alternative retail electric supplier shall not
1664	1664	5 state or otherwise imply that the alternative retail electric
1665	1665	6 supplier is employed by, representing, endorsed by, or acting
1666	1666	7 on behalf of a utility or utility program, a consumer group or
1667	1667	8 consumer group program, or a governmental body, unless the
1668	1668	9 alternative retail electric supplier has entered into a
1669	1669	10 contractual arrangement with the governmental body and has
1670	1670	11 been authorized by the governmental body to make the
1671	1671	12 statements.
1672	1672	13 (c) An alternative retail electric supplier shall not
1673	1673	14 submit or execute a change in a consumer's selection of a
1674	1674	15 provider of electric service unless the alternative retail
1675	1675	16 electric supplier complies with the following requirements of
1676	1676	17 this subsection (c). It is a violation of this Section for an
1677	1677	18 alternative retail electric supplier to fail to comply with
1678	1678	19 this subsection (c). The requirements of this subsection (c)
1679	1679	20 shall only apply to residential and small commercial retail
1680	1680	21 customers. For purposes of this subsection (c) only, "small
1681	1681	22 commercial retail customer" has the meaning given to that term
1682	1682	23 in Section 16-102 of the Public Utilities Act.
1683	1683	24 (1) During a solicitation an alternative retail
1684	1684	25 electric supplier shall state that he or represents an
1685	1685	26 independent seller of electric power and energy service
1686	1686
1687	1687
1688	1688
1689	1689
1690	1690
1691	1691	HB1284 - 46 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
1692	1692
1693	1693
1694	1694	HB1284- 47 -LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b HB1284 - 47 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
1695	1695	HB1284 - 47 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
1696	1696	1 certified by the Illinois Commerce Commission and that he
1697	1697	2 or she is not employed by, representing, endorsed by, or
1698	1698	3 acting on behalf of, a utility, or a utility program, a
1699	1699	4 consumer group or consumer group program, or a
1700	1700	5 governmental body, unless the alternative retail electric
1701	1701	6 supplier has entered into a contractual arrangement with
1702	1702	7 the governmental body and has been authorized with the
1703	1703	8 governmental body to make the statements.
1704	1704	9 (2) Alternative retail electric suppliers who engage
1705	1705	10 in in-person solicitation for the purpose of selling
1706	1706	11 electric power and energy service offered by the
1707	1707	12 alternative retail electric supplier shall display
1708	1708	13 identification on an outer garment. This identification
1709	1709	14 shall be visible at all times and prominently display the
1710	1710	15 following: (i) the alternative retail electric supplier
1711	1711	16 agent's full name in reasonable size font; (ii) an agent
1712	1712	17 identification number; (iii) a photograph of the
1713	1713	18 alternative retail electric supplier agent; and (iv) the
1714	1714	19 trade name and logo of the alternative retail electric
1715	1715	20 supplier the agent is representing. If the agent is
1716	1716	21 selling electric power and energy services from multiple
1717	1717	22 alternative retail electric suppliers to the consumer, the
1718	1718	23 identification shall display the trade name and logo of
1719	1719	24 the agent, broker, or consultant entity as that entity is
1720	1720	25 defined in Section 16-115C of the Public Utilities Act. An
1721	1721	26 alternative retail electric supplier shall leave the
1722	1722
1723	1723
1724	1724
1725	1725
1726	1726
1727	1727	HB1284 - 47 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
1728	1728
1729	1729
1730	1730	HB1284- 48 -LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b HB1284 - 48 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
1731	1731	HB1284 - 48 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
1732	1732	1 premises at the consumer's, owner's, or occupant's
1733	1733	2 request. A copy of the Uniform Disclosure Statement
1734	1734	3 described in 83 Ill. Adm. Code 412.115 and 412.Appendix A
1735	1735	4 is to be left with the consumer, at the conclusion of the
1736	1736	5 visit unless the consumer refuses to accept a copy. An
1737	1737	6 alternative retail electric supplier may provide the
1738	1738	7 Uniform Disclosure Statement electronically instead of in
1739	1739	8 paper form to a consumer upon that customer's request. The
1740	1740	9 alternative retail electric supplier shall also offer to
1741	1741	10 the consumer, at the time of the initiation of the
1742	1742	11 solicitation, a business card or other material that lists
1743	1743	12 the agent's name, identification number and title, and the
1744	1744	13 alternative retail electric supplier's name and contact
1745	1745	14 information, including phone number. The alternative
1746	1746	15 retail electric supplier shall not conduct any in-person
1747	1747	16 solicitations of consumers at any building or premises
1748	1748	17 where any sign, notice, or declaration of any description
1749	1749	18 whatsoever is posted that prohibits sales, marketing, or
1750	1750	19 solicitations. The alternative retail electric supplier
1751	1751	20 shall obtain consent to enter multi-unit residential
1752	1752	21 dwellings. Consent obtained to enter a multi-unit dwelling
1753	1753	22 from one prospective customer or occupant of the dwelling
1754	1754	23 shall not constitute consent to market to any other
1755	1755	24 prospective consumers without separate consent.
1756	1756	25 (3) An alternative retail electric supplier who
1757	1757	26 contacts consumers by telephone for the purpose of selling
1758	1758
1759	1759
1760	1760
1761	1761
1762	1762
1763	1763	HB1284 - 48 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
1764	1764
1765	1765
1766	1766	HB1284- 49 -LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b HB1284 - 49 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
1767	1767	HB1284 - 49 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
1768	1768	1 electric power and energy service shall provide the
1769	1769	2 agent's name and identification number. Any telemarketing
1770	1770	3 solicitations that lead to a telephone enrollment of a
1771	1771	4 consumer must be recorded and retained for a minimum of 2
1772	1772	5 years. All telemarketing calls of consumers that do not
1773	1773	6 lead to a telephone enrollment, but last at least 2
1774	1774	7 minutes, shall be recorded and retained for a minimum of 6
1775	1775	8 months.
1776	1776	9 (4) During an inbound enrollment call, an alternative
1777	1777	10 retail electric supplier shall state that he or she
1778	1778	11 represents an independent seller of electric power and
1779	1779	12 energy service certified by the Illinois Commerce
1780	1780	13 Commission. All inbound enrollment calls that lead to an
1781	1781	14 enrollment shall be recorded, and the recordings shall be
1782	1782	15 retained for a minimum of 2 years. An inbound enrollment
1783	1783	16 call that does not lead to an enrollment, but lasts at
1784	1784	17 least 2 minutes, shall be retained for a minimum of 6
1785	1785	18 months. The alternative retail electric supplier shall
1786	1786	19 send the Uniform Disclosure Statement and contract to the
1787	1787	20 customer within 3 business days after the electric
1788	1788	21 utility's confirmation to the alternative retail electric
1789	1789	22 supplier of an accepted enrollment.
1790	1790	23 (5) If a direct mail solicitation to a consumer
1791	1791	24 includes a written letter of agency, it shall include the
1792	1792	25 Uniform Disclosure Statement described in 83 Ill. Adm.
1793	1793	26 Code 412.115 and 412.Appendix A. The Uniform Disclosure
1794	1794
1795	1795
1796	1796
1797	1797
1798	1798
1799	1799	HB1284 - 49 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
1800	1800
1801	1801
1802	1802	HB1284- 50 -LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b HB1284 - 50 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
1803	1803	HB1284 - 50 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
1804	1804	1 Statement shall be provided on a separate page from the
1805	1805	2 other marketing materials included in the direct mail
1806	1806	3 solicitation. If a written letter of agency is being used
1807	1807	4 to authorize a consumer's enrollment, the written letter
1808	1808	5 of agency shall comply with this Section. A copy of the
1809	1809	6 contract must be sent to the consumer within 3 business
1810	1810	7 days after the electric utility's confirmation to the
1811	1811	8 alternative retail electric supplier of an accepted
1812	1812	9 enrollment.
1813	1813	10 (6) Online Solicitation.
1814	1814	11 (A) Each alternative retail electric supplier
1815	1815	12 offering electric power and energy service to
1816	1816	13 consumers online shall clearly and conspicuously make
1817	1817	14 all disclosures for any services offered through
1818	1818	15 online enrollment before requiring the consumer to
1819	1819	16 enter any personal information other than zip code,
1820	1820	17 electric utility service territory, or type of service
1821	1821	18 sought.
1822	1822	19 (B) Notwithstanding any requirements in this
1823	1823	20 Section to the contrary, an alternative retail
1824	1824	21 electric supplier may secure consent from the consumer
1825	1825	22 to obtain customer-specific billing and usage
1826	1826	23 information for the sole purpose of determining and
1827	1827	24 pricing a product through a letter of agency or method
1828	1828	25 approved through an Illinois Commerce Commission
1829	1829	26 docket before making all disclosure for services
1830	1830
1831	1831
1832	1832
1833	1833
1834	1834
1835	1835	HB1284 - 50 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
1836	1836
1837	1837
1838	1838	HB1284- 51 -LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b HB1284 - 51 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
1839	1839	HB1284 - 51 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
1840	1840	1 offered through online enrollment. It is a violation
1841	1841	2 of this Act for an alternative retail electric
1842	1842	3 supplier to use a consumer's utility account number to
1843	1843	4 execute or change a consumer's enrollment unless the
1844	1844	5 consumer expressly consents to that enrollment as
1845	1845	6 required by law.
1846	1846	7 (C) The enrollment website of the alternative
1847	1847	8 retail electric supplier shall, at a minimum, include:
1848	1848	9 (i) disclosure of all material terms and conditions of
1849	1849	10 the offer; (ii) a statement that electronic acceptance
1850	1850	11 of the terms and conditions is an agreement to
1851	1851	12 initiate service and begin enrollment; (iii) a
1852	1852	13 statement that the consumer shall review the contract
1853	1853	14 or contact the current supplier to learn if any early
1854	1854	15 termination fees are applicable; and (iv) an email
1855	1855	16 address and toll-free phone number of the alternative
1856	1856	17 retail electric supplier where the customer can
1857	1857	18 express a decision to rescind the contract.
1858	1858	19 (7)(A) Beginning January 1, 2020, an alternative
1859	1859	20 retail electric supplier shall not sell or offer to sell
1860	1860	21 any products or services to a consumer pursuant to a
1861	1861	22 contract in which the contract automatically renews,
1862	1862	23 unless an alternative retail electric supplier provides to
1863	1863	24 the consumer at the outset of the offer, in addition to
1864	1864	25 other disclosures required by law, a separate written
1865	1865	26 statement titled "Automatic Contract Renewal" that clearly
1866	1866
1867	1867
1868	1868
1869	1869
1870	1870
1871	1871	HB1284 - 51 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
1872	1872
1873	1873
1874	1874	HB1284- 52 -LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b HB1284 - 52 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
1875	1875	HB1284 - 52 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
1876	1876	1 and conspicuously discloses in bold lettering in at least
1877	1877	2 12-point font the terms and conditions of the automatic
1878	1878	3 contract renewal provision, including: (i) the estimated
1879	1879	4 bill cycle on which the initial contract term expires and
1880	1880	5 a statement that it could be later based on when the
1881	1881	6 utility accepts the initial enrollment; (ii) the estimated
1882	1882	7 bill cycle on which the new contract term begins and a
1883	1883	8 statement that it will immediately follow the last billing
1884	1884	9 cycle of the current term; (iii) the procedure to
1885	1885	10 terminate the contract before the new contract term
1886	1886	11 applies; and (iv) the cancellation procedure. If the
1887	1887	12 alternative retail electric supplier sells or offers to
1888	1888	13 sell the products or services to a consumer during an
1889	1889	14 in-person solicitation or telemarketing solicitation, the
1890	1890	15 disclosures described in this subparagraph (A) shall also
1891	1891	16 be made to the consumer verbally during the solicitation.
1892	1892	17 Nothing in this subparagraph (A) shall be construed to
1893	1893	18 apply to contracts entered into before January 1, 2020.
1894	1894	19 (B) At least 30 days before, but not more than 60 days
1895	1895	20 prior, to the end of the initial contract term, in any and
1896	1896	21 all contracts that automatically renew after the initial
1897	1897	22 term, the alternative retail electric supplier shall send,
1898	1898	23 in addition to other disclosures required by law, a
1899	1899	24 separate written notice of the contract renewal to the
1900	1900	25 consumer that clearly and conspicuously discloses the
1901	1901	26 following:
1902	1902
1903	1903
1904	1904
1905	1905
1906	1906
1907	1907	HB1284 - 52 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
1908	1908
1909	1909
1910	1910	HB1284- 53 -LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b HB1284 - 53 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
1911	1911	HB1284 - 53 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
1912	1912	1 (i) a statement printed or visible from the
1913	1913	2 outside of the envelope or in the subject line of the
1914	1914	3 email, if the customer has agreed to receive official
1915	1915	4 documents by email, that states "Contract Renewal
1916	1916	5 Notice";
1917	1917	6 (ii) a statement in bold lettering, in at least
1918	1918	7 12-point font, that the contract will automatically
1919	1919	8 renew unless the customer cancels it;
1920	1920	9 (iii) the billing cycle in which service under the
1921	1921	10 current term will expire;
1922	1922	11 (iv) the billing cycle in which service under the
1923	1923	12 new term will begin;
1924	1924	13 (v) the process and options available to the
1925	1925	14 consumer to reject the new contract terms;
1926	1926	15 (vi) the cancellation process if the consumer's
1927	1927	16 contract automatically renews before the consumer
1928	1928	17 rejects the new contract terms;
1929	1929	18 (vii) the terms and conditions of the new contract
1930	1930	19 term;
1931	1931	20 (viii) for a fixed rate contract, a side-by-side
1932	1932	21 comparison of the current price and the new price; for
1933	1933	22 a variable rate contract or time-of-use product in
1934	1934	23 which the first month's renewal price can be
1935	1935	24 determined, a side-by-side comparison of the current
1936	1936	25 price and the price for the first month of the new
1937	1937	26 variable or time-of-use price; or for a variable or
1938	1938
1939	1939
1940	1940
1941	1941
1942	1942
1943	1943	HB1284 - 53 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
1944	1944
1945	1945
1946	1946	HB1284- 54 -LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b HB1284 - 54 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
1947	1947	HB1284 - 54 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
1948	1948	1 time-of-use contract based on a publicly available
1949	1949	2 index, a side-by-side comparison of the current
1950	1950	3 formula and the new formula; and
1951	1951	4 (ix) the phone number and Internet address to
1952	1952	5 submit a consumer inquiry or complaint to the Illinois
1953	1953	6 Commerce Commission and the Office of the Attorney
1954	1954	7 General.
1955	1955	8 (C) An alternative retail electric supplier shall not
1956	1956	9 automatically renew a consumer's enrollment after the
1957	1957	10 current term of the contract expires when the current term
1958	1958	11 of the contract provides that the consumer will be charged
1959	1959	12 a fixed rate and the renewed contract provides that the
1960	1960	13 consumer will be charged a variable rate, unless: (i) the
1961	1961	14 alternative retail electric supplier complies with
1962	1962	15 subparagraphs (A) and (B); and (ii) the customer expressly
1963	1963	16 consents to the contract renewal in writing or by
1964	1964	17 electronic signature at least 30 days, but no more than 60
1965	1965	18 days, before the contract expires.
1966	1966	19 (D) An alternative retail electric supplier shall not
1967	1967	20 automatically renew a consumer's enrollment after the
1968	1968	21 current term of the contract expires when the renewed
1969	1969	22 contract provides that the consumer will be charged a rate
1970	1970	23 higher than the current contract rate unless: (i) the
1971	1971	24 alternative retail electric supplier complies with
1972	1972	25 subparagraphs (A) and (B) of this paragraph (7); and (ii)
1973	1973	26 the customer expressly consents to the contract renewal in
1974	1974
1975	1975
1976	1976
1977	1977
1978	1978
1979	1979	HB1284 - 54 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
1980	1980
1981	1981
1982	1982	HB1284- 55 -LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b HB1284 - 55 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
1983	1983	HB1284 - 55 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
1984	1984	1 writing or by electronic signature at least 30 days, but
1985	1985	2 no more than 60 days, before the contract expires.
1986	1986	3 (E) (D) This paragraph (7) does not apply to customers
1987	1987	4 enrolled in a municipal aggregation program pursuant to
1988	1988	5 Section 1-92 of the Illinois Power Agency Act.
1989	1989	6 (8) All in-person and telephone solicitations shall be
1990	1990	7 conducted in, translated into, and provided in a language
1991	1991	8 in which the consumer subject to the marketing or
1992	1992	9 solicitation is able to understand and communicate. An
1993	1993	10 alternative retail electric supplier shall terminate a
1994	1994	11 solicitation if the consumer subject to the marketing or
1995	1995	12 communication is unable to understand and communicate in
1996	1996	13 the language in which the marketing or solicitation is
1997	1997	14 being conducted. An alternative retail electric supplier
1998	1998	15 shall comply with Section 2N of this Act.
1999	1999	16 (9) Beginning January 1, 2020, consumers shall have
2000	2000	17 the right to terminate their contract with the alternative
2001	2001	18 retail electric supplier at any time without any
2002	2002	19 termination fees or penalties.
2003	2003	20 (10) An alternative retail electric supplier shall not
2004	2004	21 submit a change to a customer's electric service provider
2005	2005	22 in violation of Section 16-115E of the Public Utilities
2006	2006	23 Act.
2007	2007	24 (d) Complaints may be filed with the Illinois Commerce
2008	2008	25 Commission under this Section by a consumer whose electric
2009	2009	26 service has been provided by an alternative retail electric
2010	2010
2011	2011
2012	2012
2013	2013
2014	2014
2015	2015	HB1284 - 55 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
2016	2016
2017	2017
2018	2018	HB1284- 56 -LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b HB1284 - 56 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
2019	2019	HB1284 - 56 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
2020	2020	1 supplier in a manner not in compliance with this Section or by
2021	2021	2 the Illinois Commerce Commission on its own motion when it
2022	2022	3 appears to the Commission that an alternative retail electric
2023	2023	4 supplier has provided service in a manner not in compliance
2024	2024	5 with this Section. If, after notice and hearing, the
2025	2025	6 Commission finds that an alternative retail electric supplier
2026	2026	7 has violated this Section, the Commission may in its
2027	2027	8 discretion do any one or more of the following:
2028	2028	9 (1) Require the violating alternative retail electric
2029	2029	10 supplier to refund to the consumer charges collected in
2030	2030	11 excess of those that would have been charged by the
2031	2031	12 consumer's authorized electric service provider.
2032	2032	13 (2) Require the violating alternative retail electric
2033	2033	14 supplier to pay to the consumer's authorized electric
2034	2034	15 service provider the amount the authorized electric
2035	2035	16 service provider would have collected for the electric
2036	2036	17 service. The Commission is authorized to reduce this
2037	2037	18 payment by any amount already paid by the violating
2038	2038	19 alternative retail electric supplier to the consumer's
2039	2039	20 authorized provider for electric service.
2040	2040	21 (3) Require the violating alternative retail electric
2041	2041	22 supplier to pay a fine of up to $10,000 into the Public
2042	2042	23 Utility Fund for each violation of this Section.
2043	2043	24 (4) Issue a cease and desist order.
2044	2044	25 (5) For a pattern of violation of this Section or for
2045	2045	26 violations that continue after a cease and desist order,
2046	2046
2047	2047
2048	2048
2049	2049
2050	2050
2051	2051	HB1284 - 56 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
2052	2052
2053	2053
2054	2054	HB1284- 57 -LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b HB1284 - 57 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
2055	2055	HB1284 - 57 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
2056	2056	1 revoke the violating alternative retail electric
2057	2057	2 supplier's certificate of service authority.
2058	2058	3 (d-5)(1) Before an alternative retail electric supplier
2059	2059	4 may warrant that it has a residential customer or small
2060	2060	5 commercial retail customer's express consent agreement to
2061	2061	6 access interval data as described in subsection (b) of Section
2062	2062	7 16-122 of the Public Utilities Act, the alternative retail
2063	2063	8 electric supplier shall: (i) disclose to the consumer at the
2064	2064	9 outset of the offer that the alternative retail electric
2065	2065	10 supplier will access the consumer's interval data from the
2066	2066	11 consumer's utility with the consumer's express agreement, and
2067	2067	12 the consumer's option to refuse to provide express agreement
2068	2068	13 to access the consumer's interval data; and (ii) obtain the
2069	2069	14 consumer's express agreement for the alternative retail
2070	2070	15 electric supplier to access the consumer's interval data from
2071	2071	16 the consumer's utility in a separate letter of agency, a
2072	2072	17 distinct response to a third-party verification, or during a
2073	2073	18 recorded enrollment initiated by the consumer with the
2074	2074	19 consumer's consent. The disclosure by the alternative retail
2075	2075	20 electric supplier to the consumer in this Section shall be
2076	2076	21 conducted in, translated into, and provided in a language in
2077	2077	22 which the consumer subject to the disclosure is able to
2078	2078	23 understand and communicate.
2079	2079	24 (2) Before an alternative retail electric supplier may
2080	2080	25 warrant to an electric utility that it has an express
2081	2081	26 agreement from a residential customer or small commercial
2082	2082
2083	2083
2084	2084
2085	2085
2086	2086
2087	2087	HB1284 - 57 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
2088	2088
2089	2089
2090	2090	HB1284- 58 -LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b HB1284 - 58 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
2091	2091	HB1284 - 58 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
2092	2092	1 retail customer who was enrolled with the alternative retail
2093	2093	2 electric supplier prior to the effective date of this
2094	2094	3 amendatory Act of the 103rd General Assembly to access the
2095	2095	4 consumer's interval data as described in subsection (b) of
2096	2096	5 Section 16-122 of the Public Utilities Act, an alternative
2097	2097	6 retail electric supplier shall: (i) disclose to the consumer
2098	2098	7 that the alternative retail electric supplier will access the
2099	2099	8 consumer's interval data from the consumer's utility with the
2100	2100	9 consumer's express agreement, which is a material change to
2101	2101	10 the consumer's existing contract terms, and the consumer's
2102	2102	11 option to refuse to provide express agreement to access the
2103	2103	12 consumer's interval data; and (ii) obtain the consumer's
2104	2104	13 express agreement for the alternative retail electric supplier
2105	2105	14 to change the consumer's material contract terms to access the
2106	2106	15 consumer's interval data from the consumer's utility in a
2107	2107	16 separate letter of agency, a distinct response to a
2108	2108	17 third-party verification, or during a recorded enrollment
2109	2109	18 initiated by the consumer with the consumer's consent. The
2110	2110	19 disclosure by the alternative retail electric supplier to the
2111	2111	20 consumer in this Section shall be conducted in, translated
2112	2112	21 into, and provided in a language in which the consumer subject
2113	2113	22 to the disclosure is able to understand and communicate.
2114	2114	23 (3) An alternative retail electric supplier may refuse to
2115	2115	24 enroll or may disenroll a residential customer or small
2116	2116	25 commercial retail customer in a product or service as
2117	2117	26 described in paragraph (4) of subsection (b) of Section 16-122
2118	2118
2119	2119
2120	2120
2121	2121
2122	2122
2123	2123	HB1284 - 58 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
2124	2124
2125	2125
2126	2126	HB1284- 59 -LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b HB1284 - 59 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
2127	2127	HB1284 - 59 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
2128	2128	1 of the Public Utilities Act if the residential customer or
2129	2129	2 small commercial retail customer does not provide or revokes
2130	2130	3 consent under this subsection.
2131	2131	4 (4) An alternative retail electric supplier shall not
2132	2132	5 warrant that it has a non residential customer's, other than a
2133	2133	6 small commercial retail customer, consent to access interval
2134	2134	7 data as described in subsection (b) of Section 16-122 of the
2135	2135	8 Public Utilities Act unless the contract between the
2136	2136	9 alternative retail electric supplier and the customer
2137	2137	10 explicitly provides the alternative retail electric supplier
2138	2138	11 with permission to access the customer's interval meter usage
2139	2139	12 data. An alternative retail electric supplier shall not
2140	2140	13 release, sell, license, or otherwise disclose any customer
2141	2141	14 interval data obtained under Section 16-122 of the Public
2142	2142	15 Utilities Act to any third person except as provided for in
2143	2143	16 Section 16-122 of the Public Utilities Act.
2144	2144	17 (e) For purposes of this Section:
2145	2145	18 "Electric service provider" shall have the meaning given
2146	2146	19 that phrase in Section 6.5 of the Attorney General Act.
2147	2147	20 "Alternative retail electric supplier" has the meaning
2148	2148	21 given to that term in Section 16-102 of the Public Utilities
2149	2149	22 Act.
2150	2150	23 (Source: P.A. 102-958, eff. 1-1-23; 103-154, eff. 6-30-23;
2151	2151	24 103-237, eff. 6-30-23.)
2152	2152	25 (815 ILCS 505/2DDD)
2153	2153
2154	2154
2155	2155
2156	2156
2157	2157
2158	2158	HB1284 - 59 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
2159	2159
2160	2160
2161	2161	HB1284- 60 -LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b HB1284 - 60 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
2162	2162	HB1284 - 60 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
2163	2163	1 Sec. 2DDD. Alternative gas suppliers.
2164	2164	2 (a) Definitions.
2165	2165	3 (1) "Alternative gas supplier" has the same meaning as
2166	2166	4 in Section 19-105 of the Public Utilities Act.
2167	2167	5 (2) "Gas utility" has the same meaning as in Section
2168	2168	6 19-105 of the Public Utilities Act.
2169	2169	7 (b) It is an unfair or deceptive act or practice within the
2170	2170	8 meaning of Section 2 of this Act for any person to violate any
2171	2171	9 provision of this Section.
2172	2172	10 (c) Solicitation.
2173	2173	11 (1) An alternative gas supplier shall not utilize the
2174	2174	12 name of a public utility in any manner that is deceptive or
2175	2175	13 misleading, including, but not limited to, implying or
2176	2176	14 otherwise leading a customer to believe that an
2177	2177	15 alternative gas supplier is soliciting on behalf of or is
2178	2178	16 an agent of a utility. An alternative gas supplier shall
2179	2179	17 not utilize the name, or any other identifying insignia,
2180	2180	18 graphics, or wording, that has been used at any time to
2181	2181	19 represent a public utility company or its services or to
2182	2182	20 identify, label, or define any of its natural gas supply
2183	2183	21 offers and shall not misrepresent the affiliation of any
2184	2184	22 alternative supplier with the gas utility, governmental
2185	2185	23 bodies, or consumer groups.
2186	2186	24 (2) If any sales solicitation, agreement, contract, or
2187	2187	25 verification is translated into another language and
2188	2188	26 provided to a customer, all of the documents must be
2189	2189
2190	2190
2191	2191
2192	2192
2193	2193
2194	2194	HB1284 - 60 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
2195	2195
2196	2196
2197	2197	HB1284- 61 -LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b HB1284 - 61 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
2198	2198	HB1284 - 61 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
2199	2199	1 provided to the customer in that other language.
2200	2200	2 (2.3) An alternative gas supplier shall state that it
2201	2201	3 represents an independent seller of gas certified by the
2202	2202	4 Illinois Commerce Commission and that he or she is not
2203	2203	5 employed by, representing, endorsed by, or acting on
2204	2204	6 behalf of a utility, or a utility program.
2205	2205	7 (2.5) All in-person and telephone solicitations shall
2206	2206	8 be conducted in, translated into, and provided in a
2207	2207	9 language in which the consumer subject to the marketing or
2208	2208	10 solicitation is able to understand and communicate. An
2209	2209	11 alternative gas supplier shall terminate a solicitation if
2210	2210	12 the consumer subject to the marketing or communication is
2211	2211	13 unable to understand and communicate in the language in
2212	2212	14 which the marketing or solicitation is being conducted. An
2213	2213	15 alternative gas supplier shall comply with Section 2N of
2214	2214	16 this Act.
2215	2215	17 (3) An alternative gas supplier shall clearly and
2216	2216	18 conspicuously disclose the following information to all
2217	2217	19 customers:
2218	2218	20 (A) the prices, terms, and conditions of the
2219	2219	21 products and services being sold to the customer;
2220	2220	22 (B) where the solicitation occurs in person,
2221	2221	23 including through door-to-door solicitation, the
2222	2222	24 salesperson's name;
2223	2223	25 (C) the alternative gas supplier's contact
2224	2224	26 information, including the address, phone number, and
2225	2225
2226	2226
2227	2227
2228	2228
2229	2229
2230	2230	HB1284 - 61 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
2231	2231
2232	2232
2233	2233	HB1284- 62 -LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b HB1284 - 62 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
2234	2234	HB1284 - 62 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
2235	2235	1 website;
2236	2236	2 (D) contact information for the Illinois Commerce
2237	2237	3 Commission, including the toll-free number for
2238	2238	4 consumer complaints and website;
2239	2239	5 (E) a statement of the customer's right to rescind
2240	2240	6 the offer within 10 business days of the date on the
2241	2241	7 utility's notice confirming the customer's decision to
2242	2242	8 switch suppliers, as well as phone numbers for the
2243	2243	9 supplier and utility that the consumer may use to
2244	2244	10 rescind the contract;
2245	2245	11 (F) the amount of the early termination fee, if
2246	2246	12 any; and
2247	2247	13 (G) the utility gas supply cost rates per therm
2248	2248	14 price available from the Illinois Commerce Commission
2249	2249	15 website applicable at the time the alternative gas
2250	2250	16 supplier is offering or selling the products or
2251	2251	17 services to the customer and shall disclose the
2252	2252	18 following statement:
2253	2253	19 "(Name of the alternative gas supplier) is not the
2254	2254	20 same entity as your gas delivery company. You are not
2255	2255	21 required to enroll with (name of alternative retail
2256	2256	22 gas supplier). Beginning on (effective date), the
2257	2257	23 utility gas supply cost rate per therm is (cost). The
2258	2258	24 utility gas supply cost will expire on (expiration
2259	2259	25 date). For more information go to the Illinois
2260	2260	26 Commerce Commission's free website at
2261	2261
2262	2262
2263	2263
2264	2264
2265	2265
2266	2266	HB1284 - 62 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
2267	2267
2268	2268
2269	2269	HB1284- 63 -LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b HB1284 - 63 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
2270	2270	HB1284 - 63 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
2271	2271	1 www.icc.illinois.gov/ags/consumereducation.aspx.".
2272	2272	2 (4) Except as provided in paragraph (5) of this
2273	2273	3 subsection (c), an alternative gas supplier shall send the
2274	2274	4 information described in paragraph (3) of this subsection
2275	2275	5 (c) to all customers within one business day of the
2276	2276	6 authorization of a switch.
2277	2277	7 (5) An alternative gas supplier engaging in
2278	2278	8 door-to-door solicitation of consumers shall provide the
2279	2279	9 information described in paragraph (3) of this subsection
2280	2280	10 (c) during all door-to-door solicitations that result in a
2281	2281	11 customer deciding to switch his or her supplier.
2282	2282	12 (d) Customer Authorization. An alternative gas supplier
2283	2283	13 shall not submit or execute a change in a customer's selection
2284	2284	14 of a natural gas provider unless and until: (i) the
2285	2285	15 alternative gas supplier first discloses all material terms
2286	2286	16 and conditions of the offer to the customer; (ii) the
2287	2287	17 alternative gas supplier has obtained the customer's express
2288	2288	18 agreement to accept the offer after the disclosure of all
2289	2289	19 material terms and conditions of the offer; and (iii) the
2290	2290	20 alternative gas supplier has confirmed the request for a
2291	2291	21 change in accordance with one of the following procedures:
2292	2292	22 (1) The alternative gas supplier has obtained the
2293	2293	23 customer's written or electronically signed authorization
2294	2294	24 in a form that meets the following requirements:
2295	2295	25 (A) An alternative gas supplier shall obtain any
2296	2296	26 necessary written or electronically signed
2297	2297
2298	2298
2299	2299
2300	2300
2301	2301
2302	2302	HB1284 - 63 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
2303	2303
2304	2304
2305	2305	HB1284- 64 -LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b HB1284 - 64 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
2306	2306	HB1284 - 64 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
2307	2307	1 authorization from a customer for a change in natural
2308	2308	2 gas service by using a letter of agency as specified in
2309	2309	3 this Section. Any letter of agency that does not
2310	2310	4 conform with this Section is invalid.
2311	2311	5 (B) The letter of agency shall be a separate
2312	2312	6 document (or an easily separable document containing
2313	2313	7 only the authorization language described in item (E)
2314	2314	8 of this paragraph (1)) whose sole purpose is to
2315	2315	9 authorize a natural gas provider change. The letter of
2316	2316	10 agency must be signed and dated by the customer
2317	2317	11 requesting the natural gas provider change.
2318	2318	12 (C) The letter of agency shall not be combined
2319	2319	13 with inducements of any kind on the same document.
2320	2320	14 (D) Notwithstanding items (A) and (B) of this
2321	2321	15 paragraph (1), the letter of agency may be combined
2322	2322	16 with checks that contain only the required letter of
2323	2323	17 agency language prescribed in item (E) of this
2324	2324	18 paragraph (1) and the necessary information to make
2325	2325	19 the check a negotiable instrument. The letter of
2326	2326	20 agency check shall not contain any promotional
2327	2327	21 language or material. The letter of agency check shall
2328	2328	22 contain in easily readable, bold face type on the face
2329	2329	23 of the check, a notice that the consumer is
2330	2330	24 authorizing a natural gas provider change by signing
2331	2331	25 the check. The letter of agency language also shall be
2332	2332	26 placed near the signature line on the back of the
2333	2333
2334	2334
2335	2335
2336	2336
2337	2337
2338	2338	HB1284 - 64 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
2339	2339
2340	2340
2341	2341	HB1284- 65 -LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b HB1284 - 65 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
2342	2342	HB1284 - 65 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
2343	2343	1 check.
2344	2344	2 (E) At a minimum, the letter of agency must be
2345	2345	3 printed with a print of sufficient size to be clearly
2346	2346	4 legible, and must contain clear and unambiguous
2347	2347	5 language that confirms:
2348	2348	6 (i) the customer's billing name and address;
2349	2349	7 (ii) the decision to change the natural gas
2350	2350	8 provider from the current provider to the
2351	2351	9 prospective alternative gas supplier;
2352	2352	10 (iii) the terms, conditions, and nature of the
2353	2353	11 service to be provided to the customer, including,
2354	2354	12 but not limited to, the rates for the service
2355	2355	13 contracted for by the customer; and
2356	2356	14 (iv) that the customer understands that any
2357	2357	15 natural gas provider selection the customer
2358	2358	16 chooses may involve a charge to the customer for
2359	2359	17 changing the customer's natural gas provider.
2360	2360	18 (F) Letters of agency shall not suggest or require
2361	2361	19 that a customer take some action in order to retain the
2362	2362	20 customer's current natural gas provider.
2363	2363	21 (G) If any portion of a letter of agency is
2364	2364	22 translated into another language, then all portions of
2365	2365	23 the letter of agency must be translated into that
2366	2366	24 language.
2367	2367	25 (2) An appropriately qualified independent third party
2368	2368	26 has obtained, in accordance with the procedures set forth
2369	2369
2370	2370
2371	2371
2372	2372
2373	2373
2374	2374	HB1284 - 65 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
2375	2375
2376	2376
2377	2377	HB1284- 66 -LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b HB1284 - 66 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
2378	2378	HB1284 - 66 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
2379	2379	1 in this paragraph (2), the customer's oral authorization
2380	2380	2 to change natural gas providers that confirms and includes
2381	2381	3 appropriate verification data. The independent third party
2382	2382	4 must: (i) not be owned, managed, controlled, or directed
2383	2383	5 by the alternative gas supplier or the alternative gas
2384	2384	6 supplier's marketing agent; (ii) not have any financial
2385	2385	7 incentive to confirm provider change requests for the
2386	2386	8 alternative gas supplier or the alternative gas supplier's
2387	2387	9 marketing agent; and (iii) operate in a location
2388	2388	10 physically separate from the alternative gas supplier or
2389	2389	11 the alternative gas supplier's marketing agent. Automated
2390	2390	12 third-party verification systems and 3-way conference
2391	2391	13 calls may be used for verification purposes so long as the
2392	2392	14 other requirements of this paragraph (2) are satisfied. An
2393	2393	15 alternative gas supplier or alternative gas supplier's
2394	2394	16 sales representative initiating a 3-way conference call or
2395	2395	17 a call through an automated verification system must drop
2396	2396	18 off the call once the 3-way connection has been
2397	2397	19 established. All third-party verification methods shall
2398	2398	20 elicit, at a minimum, the following information:
2399	2399	21 (A) the identity of the customer;
2400	2400	22 (B) confirmation that the person on the call is
2401	2401	23 authorized to make the provider change;
2402	2402	24 (C) confirmation that the person on the call wants
2403	2403	25 to make the provider change;
2404	2404	26 (D) the names of the providers affected by the
2405	2405
2406	2406
2407	2407
2408	2408
2409	2409
2410	2410	HB1284 - 66 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
2411	2411
2412	2412
2413	2413	HB1284- 67 -LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b HB1284 - 67 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
2414	2414	HB1284 - 67 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
2415	2415	1 change;
2416	2416	2 (E) the service address of the service to be
2417	2417	3 switched; and
2418	2418	4 (F) the price of the service to be provided and the
2419	2419	5 material terms and conditions of the service being
2420	2420	6 offered, including whether any early termination fees
2421	2421	7 apply.
2422	2422	8 Third-party verifiers may not market the alternative
2423	2423	9 gas supplier's services. All third-party verifications
2424	2424	10 shall be conducted in the same language that was used in
2425	2425	11 the underlying sales transaction and shall be recorded in
2426	2426	12 their entirety. Submitting alternative gas suppliers shall
2427	2427	13 maintain and preserve audio records of verification of
2428	2428	14 customer authorization for a minimum period of 2 years
2429	2429	15 after obtaining the verification. Automated systems must
2430	2430	16 provide customers with an option to speak with a live
2431	2431	17 person at any time during the call. Each disclosure made
2432	2432	18 during the third-party verification must be made
2433	2433	19 individually to obtain clear acknowledgment of each
2434	2434	20 disclosure. The alternative gas supplier must be in a
2435	2435	21 location where he or she cannot hear the customer while
2436	2436	22 the third-party verification is conducted. The alternative
2437	2437	23 gas supplier shall not contact the customer after the
2438	2438	24 third-party verification for a period of 24 hours unless
2439	2439	25 the customer initiates the contact.
2440	2440	26 (3) The alternative gas supplier has obtained the
2441	2441
2442	2442
2443	2443
2444	2444
2445	2445
2446	2446	HB1284 - 67 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
2447	2447
2448	2448
2449	2449	HB1284- 68 -LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b HB1284 - 68 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
2450	2450	HB1284 - 68 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
2451	2451	1 customer's electronic authorization to change natural gas
2452	2452	2 service via telephone. Such authorization must elicit the
2453	2453	3 information in subparagraphs (A) through (F) of paragraph
2454	2454	4 (2) of this subsection (d). Alternative gas suppliers
2455	2455	5 electing to confirm sales electronically shall establish
2456	2456	6 one or more toll-free telephone numbers exclusively for
2457	2457	7 that purpose. Calls to the number or numbers shall connect
2458	2458	8 a customer to a voice response unit, or similar mechanism,
2459	2459	9 that makes a date-stamped, time-stamped recording of the
2460	2460	10 required information regarding the alternative gas
2461	2461	11 supplier change.
2462	2462	12 The alternative gas supplier shall not use such
2463	2463	13 electronic authorization systems to market its services.
2464	2464	14 (4) When a consumer initiates the call to the
2465	2465	15 prospective alternative gas supplier, in order to enroll
2466	2466	16 the consumer as a customer, the prospective alternative
2467	2467	17 gas supplier must, with the consent of the customer, make
2468	2468	18 a date-stamped, time-stamped audio recording that elicits,
2469	2469	19 at a minimum, the following information:
2470	2470	20 (A) the identity of the customer;
2471	2471	21 (B) confirmation that the person on the call is
2472	2472	22 authorized to make the provider change;
2473	2473	23 (C) confirmation that the person on the call wants
2474	2474	24 to make the provider change;
2475	2475	25 (D) the names of the providers affected by the
2476	2476	26 change;
2477	2477
2478	2478
2479	2479
2480	2480
2481	2481
2482	2482	HB1284 - 68 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
2483	2483
2484	2484
2485	2485	HB1284- 69 -LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b HB1284 - 69 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
2486	2486	HB1284 - 69 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
2487	2487	1 (E) the service address of the service to be
2488	2488	2 switched; and
2489	2489	3 (F) the price of the service to be supplied and the
2490	2490	4 material terms and conditions of the service being
2491	2491	5 offered, including whether any early termination fees
2492	2492	6 apply.
2493	2493	7 Submitting alternative gas suppliers shall maintain
2494	2494	8 and preserve the audio records containing the information
2495	2495	9 set forth above for a minimum period of 2 years.
2496	2496	10 (5) In the event that a customer enrolls for service
2497	2497	11 from an alternative gas supplier via an Internet website,
2498	2498	12 the alternative gas supplier shall obtain an
2499	2499	13 electronically signed letter of agency in accordance with
2500	2500	14 paragraph (1) of this subsection (d) and any customer
2501	2501	15 information shall be protected in accordance with all
2502	2502	16 applicable statutes and rules. In addition, an alternative
2503	2503	17 gas supplier shall provide the following when marketing
2504	2504	18 via an Internet website:
2505	2505	19 (A) The Internet enrollment website shall, at a
2506	2506	20 minimum, include:
2507	2507	21 (i) a copy of the alternative gas supplier's
2508	2508	22 customer contract, which clearly and conspicuously
2509	2509	23 discloses all terms and conditions; and
2510	2510	24 (ii) a conspicuous prompt for the customer to
2511	2511	25 print or save a copy of the contract.
2512	2512	26 (B) Any electronic version of the contract shall
2513	2513
2514	2514
2515	2515
2516	2516
2517	2517
2518	2518	HB1284 - 69 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
2519	2519
2520	2520
2521	2521	HB1284- 70 -LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b HB1284 - 70 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
2522	2522	HB1284 - 70 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
2523	2523	1 be identified by version number, in order to ensure
2524	2524	2 the ability to verify the particular contract to which
2525	2525	3 the customer assents.
2526	2526	4 (C) Throughout the duration of the alternative gas
2527	2527	5 supplier's contract with a customer, the alternative
2528	2528	6 gas supplier shall retain and, within 3 business days
2529	2529	7 of the customer's request, provide to the customer an
2530	2530	8 email, paper, or facsimile of the terms and conditions
2531	2531	9 of the numbered contract version to which the customer
2532	2532	10 assents.
2533	2533	11 (D) The alternative gas supplier shall provide a
2534	2534	12 mechanism by which both the submission and receipt of
2535	2535	13 the electronic letter of agency are recorded by time
2536	2536	14 and date.
2537	2537	15 (E) After the customer completes the electronic
2538	2538	16 letter of agency, the alternative gas supplier shall
2539	2539	17 disclose conspicuously through its website that the
2540	2540	18 customer has been enrolled and the alternative gas
2541	2541	19 supplier shall provide the customer an enrollment
2542	2542	20 confirmation number.
2543	2543	21 (6) When a customer is solicited in person by the
2544	2544	22 alternative gas supplier's sales agent, the alternative
2545	2545	23 gas supplier may only obtain the customer's authorization
2546	2546	24 to change natural gas service through the method provided
2547	2547	25 for in paragraph (2) of this subsection (d).
2548	2548	26 Alternative gas suppliers must be in compliance with the
2549	2549
2550	2550
2551	2551
2552	2552
2553	2553
2554	2554	HB1284 - 70 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
2555	2555
2556	2556
2557	2557	HB1284- 71 -LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b HB1284 - 71 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
2558	2558	HB1284 - 71 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
2559	2559	1 provisions of this subsection (d) within 90 days after April
2560	2560	2 10, 2009 (the effective date of Public Act 95-1051).
2561	2561	3 (e) Early Termination.
2562	2562	4 (1) Beginning January 1, 2020, consumers shall have
2563	2563	5 the right to terminate their contract with an alternative
2564	2564	6 gas supplier at any time without any termination fees or
2565	2565	7 penalties.
2566	2566	8 (2) In any agreement that contains an early
2567	2567	9 termination clause, an alternative gas supplier shall
2568	2568	10 provide the customer the opportunity to terminate the
2569	2569	11 agreement without any termination fee or penalty within 10
2570	2570	12 business days after the date of the first bill issued to
2571	2571	13 the customer for products or services provided by the
2572	2572	14 alternative gas supplier. The agreement shall disclose the
2573	2573	15 opportunity and provide a toll-free phone number that the
2574	2574	16 customer may call in order to terminate the agreement.
2575	2575	17 (f) The alternative gas supplier shall provide each
2576	2576	18 customer the opportunity to rescind its agreement without
2577	2577	19 penalty within 10 business days after the date on the gas
2578	2578	20 utility notice to the customer. The alternative gas supplier
2579	2579	21 shall disclose to the customer all of the following:
2580	2580	22 (1) that the gas utility shall send a notice
2581	2581	23 confirming the switch;
2582	2582	24 (2) that from the date the utility issues the notice
2583	2583	25 confirming the switch, the customer shall have 10 business
2584	2584	26 days before the switch will become effective;
2585	2585
2586	2586
2587	2587
2588	2588
2589	2589
2590	2590	HB1284 - 71 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
2591	2591
2592	2592
2593	2593	HB1284- 72 -LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b HB1284 - 72 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
2594	2594	HB1284 - 72 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
2595	2595	1 (3) that the customer may contact the gas utility or
2596	2596	2 the alternative gas supplier to rescind the switch within
2597	2597	3 10 business days; and
2598	2598	4 (4) the contact information for the gas utility and
2599	2599	5 the alternative gas supplier.
2600	2600	6 The alternative gas supplier disclosure shall be included
2601	2601	7 in its sales solicitations, contracts, and all applicable
2602	2602	8 sales verification scripts.
2603	2603	9 (f-5)(1) Beginning January 1, 2020, an alternative gas
2604	2604	10 supplier shall not sell or offer to sell any products or
2605	2605	11 services to a consumer pursuant to a contract in which the
2606	2606	12 contract automatically renews, unless an alternative gas
2607	2607	13 supplier provides to the consumer at the outset of the offer,
2608	2608	14 in addition to other disclosures required by law, a separate
2609	2609	15 written statement titled "Automatic Contract Renewal" that
2610	2610	16 clearly and conspicuously discloses in bold lettering in at
2611	2611	17 least 12-point font the terms and conditions of the automatic
2612	2612	18 contract renewal provision, including: (i) the estimated bill
2613	2613	19 cycle on which the initial contract term expires and a
2614	2614	20 statement that it could be later based on when the utility
2615	2615	21 accepts the initial enrollment; (ii) the estimated bill cycle
2616	2616	22 on which the new contract term begins and a statement that it
2617	2617	23 will immediately follow the last billing cycle of the current
2618	2618	24 term; (iii) the procedure to terminate the contract before the
2619	2619	25 new contract term applies; and (iv) the cancellation
2620	2620	26 procedure. If the alternative gas supplier sells or offers to
2621	2621
2622	2622
2623	2623
2624	2624
2625	2625
2626	2626	HB1284 - 72 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
2627	2627
2628	2628
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2630	2630	HB1284 - 73 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
2631	2631	1 sell the products or services to a consumer during an
2632	2632	2 in-person solicitation or telemarketing solicitation, the
2633	2633	3 disclosures described in this paragraph (1) shall also be made
2634	2634	4 to the consumer verbally during the solicitation. Nothing in
2635	2635	5 this paragraph (1) shall be construed to apply to contracts
2636	2636	6 entered into before January 1, 2020.
2637	2637	7 (2) At least 30 days before, but not more than 60 days
2638	2638	8 prior, to the end of the initial contract term, in any and all
2639	2639	9 contracts that automatically renew after the initial term, the
2640	2640	10 alternative gas supplier shall send, in addition to other
2641	2641	11 disclosures required by law, a separate written notice of the
2642	2642	12 contract renewal to the consumer that clearly and
2643	2643	13 conspicuously discloses the following:
2644	2644	14 (A) a statement printed or visible from the outside of
2645	2645	15 the envelope or in the subject line of the email, if the
2646	2646	16 customer has agreed to receive official documents by
2647	2647	17 email, that states "Contract Renewal Notice";
2648	2648	18 (B) a statement in bold lettering, in at least
2649	2649	19 12-point font, that the contract will automatically renew
2650	2650	20 unless the customer cancels it;
2651	2651	21 (C) the billing cycle in which service under the
2652	2652	22 current term will expire;
2653	2653	23 (D) the billing cycle in which service under the new
2654	2654	24 term will begin;
2655	2655	25 (E) the process and options available to the consumer
2656	2656	26 to reject the new contract terms;
2657	2657
2658	2658
2659	2659
2660	2660
2661	2661
2662	2662	HB1284 - 73 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
2663	2663
2664	2664
2665	2665	HB1284- 74 -LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b HB1284 - 74 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
2666	2666	HB1284 - 74 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
2667	2667	1 (F) the cancellation process if the consumer's
2668	2668	2 contract automatically renews before the consumer rejects
2669	2669	3 the new contract terms;
2670	2670	4 (G) the terms and conditions of the new contract term;
2671	2671	5 (H) for a fixed rate or flat bill contract, a
2672	2672	6 side-by-side comparison of the current fixed rate or flat
2673	2673	7 bill to the new fixed rate or flat bill; for a variable
2674	2674	8 rate contract or time-of-use product in which the first
2675	2675	9 month's renewal price can be determined, a side-by-side
2676	2676	10 comparison of the current price and the price for the
2677	2677	11 first month of the new variable or time-of-use price; or
2678	2678	12 for a variable or time-of-use contract based on a publicly
2679	2679	13 available index, a side-by-side comparison of the current
2680	2680	14 formula and the new formula; and
2681	2681	15 (I) the phone number and Internet address to submit a
2682	2682	16 consumer inquiry or complaint to the Illinois Commerce
2683	2683	17 Commission and the Office of the Attorney General.
2684	2684	18 (3) An alternative gas supplier shall not automatically
2685	2685	19 renew a consumer's enrollment after the current term of the
2686	2686	20 contract expires when the current term of the contract
2687	2687	21 provides that the consumer will be charged a fixed rate and the
2688	2688	22 renewed contract provides that the consumer will be charged a
2689	2689	23 variable rate, unless: (i) the alternative gas supplier
2690	2690	24 complies with paragraphs (1) and (2); and (ii) the customer
2691	2691	25 expressly consents to the contract renewal in writing or by
2692	2692	26 electronic signature at least 30 days, but no more than 60
2693	2693
2694	2694
2695	2695
2696	2696
2697	2697
2698	2698	HB1284 - 74 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
2699	2699
2700	2700
2701	2701	HB1284- 75 -LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b HB1284 - 75 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
2702	2702	HB1284 - 75 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
2703	2703	1 days, before the contract expires.
2704	2704	2 (4) An alternative gas supplier shall not automatically
2705	2705	3 renew a consumer's enrollment after the current term of the
2706	2706	4 contract expires if the renewed contract provides that the
2707	2707	5 consumer will be charged a rate higher than the current
2708	2708	6 contract rate unless: (i) the alternative gas supplier
2709	2709	7 complies with paragraphs (1) and (2); and (ii) the customer
2710	2710	8 expressly consents to the contract renewal in writing or by
2711	2711	9 electronic signature at least 30 days, but no more than 60
2712	2712	10 days, before the contract expires.
2713	2713	11 (5) (4) An alternative gas supplier shall not submit a
2714	2714	12 change to a customer's gas service provider in violation of
2715	2715	13 Section 19-116 of the Public Utilities Act.
2716	2716	14 (g) The provisions of this Section shall apply only to
2717	2717	15 alternative gas suppliers serving or seeking to serve
2718	2718	16 residential and small commercial customers and only to the
2719	2719	17 extent such alternative gas suppliers provide services to
2720	2720	18 residential and small commercial customers.
2721	2721	19 (h) Complaints may be filed with the Commission under this
2722	2722	20 Section by a consumer whose gas service has been provided by an
2723	2723	21 alternative retail gas supplier in a manner not in compliance
2724	2724	22 with this Section or by the Commission on its own motion when
2725	2725	23 it appears to the Commission that an alternative retail gas
2726	2726	24 supplier has provided service in a manner not in compliance
2727	2727	25 with this Section. If, after notice and hearing, the
2728	2728	26 Commission finds that an alternative retail gas supplier has
2729	2729
2730	2730
2731	2731
2732	2732
2733	2733
2734	2734	HB1284 - 75 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
2735	2735
2736	2736
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2738	2738	HB1284 - 76 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b
2739	2739
2740	2740
2741	2741
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2744	2744	HB1284 - 76 - LRB104 03458 AAS 13481 b