2023 -- H 5410
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LC001304
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S TATE OF RHODE IS LAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023
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A N A C T
RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
Introduced By: Representatives Cruz, Boylan, Solomon, Potter, Slater, Shekarchi, Voas,
Stewart, McNamara, and Baginski
Date Introduced: February 08, 2023
Referred To: House Corporations
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
SECTION 1. Chapter 39-1 of the General Laws entitled "Public Utilities Commission" is 1
hereby amended by adding thereto the following section: 2
39-1-63. Utility termination moratorium period. 3
(a) A public utility shall not terminate service to a residential customer during a utility 4
termination moratorium period, which shall be from November 1st to April 15th of the following 5
year, to any property of a residential customer which property is being used as a warming center, 6
drop-in center, shelter, or similar facility that is providing emergency services to drop-in residents 7
or unhoused individuals. This section shall apply regardless of whether the residential customer is 8
eligible for termination pursuant to regulation 810-RICR-10-00-1 as promulgated and adopted by 9
the Rhode Island public utilities commission (the “commission”). 10
(b) The commission shall amend its rules and regulations governing the termination of 11
residential electric and gas service as set forth in 810-RICR-10-00-1, and any similar rule or 12
regulation of the commission, to incorporate the provisions of this section into its rules and 13
regulation(s). 14
(c) This section shall not nullify or reduce any extension of the suspension of service 15
terminations and collection actions during the COVID-19 emergency already authorized or which 16
may be authorized by the commission pursuant to "Docket No. 5022 - Suspension of Service 17
Terminations and Certain Collections Activities During the COVID-19 Emergency." 18
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SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage. 1
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EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
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This act would provide that utility services would not be terminated for the period from 1
November 1 to April 15 to any residential customer’s property which property is being used as a 2
warming center, drop-in center, shelter, or similar facility that is providing emergency services to 3
drop-in residents or unhoused individuals. 4
This act would take effect upon passage. 5
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LC001304
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