2023 -- S 0169
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LC001462
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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: Senators Murray, Valverde, Acosta, McKenney, LaMountain, and
Raptakis
Date Introduced: February 16, 2023
Referred To: Senate Commerce
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) The commission shall amend its rules and regulations governing the termination of 4
residential electric and gas service as set forth in 810-RICR-10-00-1, and any similar regulation of 5
the commission, in order that the utility termination moratorium period shall mean the period of 6
time between 12:01 a.m. on November 1 and 11:59 p.m. on May 1 of each year. 7
Provided, this section shall not nullify or reduce any extension of the suspension of service 8
terminations and collection actions during any declared state of emergency pursuant to chapter 15 9
of title 30 relating to emergency management. 10
(b) The commission shall have the discretion to extend the duration of the moratorium 11
described in subsection (a) of this section, to respond to economic conditions and customer needs. 12
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage. 13
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LC001462 - Page 2 of 2
EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
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The act would direct the public utilities commission (PUC) to amend its regulations by 1
extending the utility termination moratorium period on electricity and gas from April 15 to May 1 2
of each year. This act would not nullify or reduce any extension of the suspension of service 3
terminations and collection actions during any declared state of emergency. The PUC would also 4
have discretion to adjust the duration of the moratorium to respond to economic conditions and 5
customer needs. 6
This act would take effect upon passage. 7
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LC001462
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