GREEN SHEET REDIGEST
HB 913 2024 Regular Session Selders
UTILITIES: Provides for transparency for utility bills.
DIGEST
Proposed law defines "housing provider", "individual meter", "original bill", "tenant", "third-
party billing", "unit", and "utility".
Proposed law applies to housing providers that utilize third-party billing to manage utility
billing for a residential unit with an individual meter.
Proposed law provides that a tenant may request a copy of the original utility bill. Further
provides that the request, if made, shall be in writing and specify the following:
(1)The utility for which the tenant is requesting a copy of the original bill.
(2)The range of dates for which the tenant is requesting a copy of the original bill, which
shall be no earlier than the last day of the billing cycle immediately preceding the
date the request is transmitted to the housing provider.
(3)Whether the tenant is requesting to be provided with a copy of all future original bills
for the utility specified in the request.
Proposed law requires a housing provider to supply the tenant with copies of the original bill
or bills for the previous billing cycle within 30 days of receipt of a request.
Proposed law requires a housing provider to supply the tenant with copies of the original bill
for future billing cycles within 30 days of receipt of the original bill.
Proposed law provides that failure of a housing provider to supply the original bill upon
request by the tenant, does not relieve the tenant from the responsibility to remit full payment
to a third-party provider.
Proposed law provides that request made under proposed law for utilities may be made
electronically.
Proposed law provides that a housing provider shall be fined not more than $500 per
violation of proposed law.
Proposed law allows a tenant or the attorney general to bring an action against a housing
provider that violates proposed law and further provides for injunctive relief and penalties.
Effective August 1, 2024.
(Adds R.S. 51:3271 and 3274)
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Commerce to the
original bill:
1. Make technical changes to the title.
2. Clarify that a copy of the original utility bill is required.
3. Add violations, penalties, and civil remedies regarding housing providers that do
not provide a copy of original utility bills pursuant to proposed law.
Page 1 of 2
Prepared by Xavier Alexander. Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Commerce, Consumer
Protection, and International Affairs to the reengrossed bill
1. Define housing provider, individual meter, original bill, tenant, third-party
billing, unit and utility.
2. Provide that proposed law applies to housing providers who utilize third-party
billing.
3. Provide process for tenant to request and have access to original utility bills.
4. Make technical changes.
Page 2 of 2
Prepared by Xavier Alexander.