Virginia HB 242: Public utilities; budget plan payment increases.

Bill Text

2026 SESSION

INTRODUCED

26103219D

HOUSE BILL NO. 242

Offered January 14, 2026

Prefiled January 8, 2026

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 56-247.2, relating to public utilities; multiple budget plan payment increases within 12 months prohibited; notice required.

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Patrons—Cole, J.G., Clark, Glass, Anderson, Carroll, Cole, N.T., Guzman, Henson, Laufer, Maldonado, McClure, Rasoul and Schmidt; Senator: Salim

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Referred to Committee on Labor and Commerce

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Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia: 

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 56-247.2 as follows: 

§ 56-247.2. Budget plan payment increase; notice required.

A. As used in this section, "budget plan" means a fixed billing option offered by a public utility to a customer whereby the total service for the succeeding 12-month period is estimated in advance and bills are rendered monthly on the basis of one-twelfth of the 12-month estimate.

B. No public utility shall, for any residential customer who is enrolled in a budget plan or similar billing option, increase the amount of such customer's monthly payment more than once within any 12-month period or without notifying the customer in writing at least 30 days before such increase takes effect.