Increases the number of commissioners of the public service commission to eight; requires the commission to have a duty to protect public interest, including ensuring access to utility services for residential and business customers; prohibits commissioners from having been employed within the last two years by an electric, gas, steam, telecommunications, or water utility that is regulated by the commission.
Enacts the "cellular mapping act"; requires the public service commission to review cellular services within the state; requires the expansion of cellular services.
Public utilities; subject certain companies providing water services to regulation by Public Service Commission
Eliminates late fees for residential utility customers; provides that no late payment charges may be imposed on residential customers.
Requires gas and electric corporations to provide forty-five days' notice to customers whenever there is a service rate or charge increase.
Requires all public utilities to maintain a customer service facility within the state to perform services such as addressing customer inquiries and accepting bill payments.
Requires all public utilities to maintain a customer service facility within the state to perform services such as addressing customer inquiries and accepting bill payments.
Relates to establishing minimum standards for payment plans for eligible customers; requires the public service commission to set standards for payment plans for certain customers including reasonableness of agreements and timelines for payment; establishes eligibility.
Requires utility service providers to disclose planned rate increases to consumers within thirty days before a planned price increase takes effect; requires utility providers to provide contact information and a mechanism to cancel service completely.
Relates to the members of the public service commission; prohibits commissioners from having been employed within the last two years by an electric, gas, steam, telecommunications, or water utility that is regulated by the commission; requires that new appointments ensure that commissioners represent certain areas of education and training.