Pennsylvania HB 2333: An Act amending Title 66 (Public Utilities) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for responsible utility customer protection.

Bill Text

PRIOR PRINTER'S NO. 3028 PRINTER'S NO. 3196
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 2333
Session of
2026
INTRODUCED BY MADSEN, MATZIE, PROBST, PASHINSKI, BURGOS,
FLEMING, GUZMAN, MERSKI, HANBIDGE, DELLOSO, MAYES, K. HARRIS,
CEPEDA-FREYTIZ, TIBURCIO, SANCHEZ, GREEN AND SALISBURY,
MARCH 19, 2026
AS AMENDED ON SECOND CONSIDERATION, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
APRIL 14, 2026
AN ACT
Amending Title 66 (Public Utilities) of the Pennsylvania
Consolidated Statutes, providing for responsible utility
customer protection.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Title 66 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated
Statutes is amended by adding a chapter to read:
CHAPTER 14-A
RESPONSIBLE UTILITY CUSTOMER PROTECTION
Sec.
1401-A. Scope of chapter.
1402-A. Declaration of policy.
1403-A. Definitions.
1404-A. Cash deposits and household information requirements.
1404.1-A. Security deposits.
1405-A. Payment arrangements.
1406-A. Termination of utility service.
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1407-A. Reconnection of service.
1408-A. Surcharges for uncollectible expenses.
1409-A. Late payment charge waiver.
1410-A. Complaints filed with commission.
1410.1-A. Public utility duties.
1411-A. Automatic meter readings.
1412-A. Reporting of delinquent customers. (RESERVED).
1413-A. Reporting of recipients of public assistance.
1414-A. Liens by city natural gas distribution operations.
1415-A. Reporting to General Assembly and Governor.
1416-A. Notice.
1417-A. Nonapplicability.
1418-A. Construction.
1419-A. Expiration.
§ 1401-A. Scope of chapter.
This chapter relates to protecting responsible customers of
public utilities.
§ 1402-A. Declaration of policy.
The General Assembly finds and declares as follows:
(1) Formal service rules were first adopted by the
Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission in 1978 with the
stated goal of enforcing uniform, fair and equitable
residential utility service standards governing eligibility
criteria, credit and deposit practices, account billing,
termination and restoration of service procedures and
customer complaint procedures. These rules have not
successfully managed the issue of bill payment. Increasing
amounts of unpaid bills now threaten paying customers with
higher rates due to other customers' delinquencies.
(2) It is now time to revisit these rules and provide
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protections against rate increases for timely paying
customers resulting from other customers' delinquencies.
Greater equity can be achieved by eliminating opportunities
for customers capable of paying to avoid the timely payment
of public utility bills.
(3) This chapter provides public utilities with an
equitable means to reduce their uncollectible accounts by
modifying the procedures for delinquent account collections
and by increasing timely collections. At the same time,
service should remain available to all customers on
reasonable terms and conditions.
(4) It is appropriate to provide additional collection
tools to city natural gas distribution operations to
recognize the financial circumstances of the operations and
protect their ability to provide natural gas for the benefit
of the residents of the city.
(5) It is appropriate to recognize the applicability of
this chapter to a water and sewer authority in a city of the
second class.
§ 1403-A. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this chapter
shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Applicant." An individual who is at least 18 years of age
or an emancipated minor, who is not currently receiving service
and who applies for residential service provided by a public
utility or any adult occupant whose name appears on the
mortgage, deed or lease as specified under section 202 of the
act of April 6, 1951 (P.L.69, No.20), known as The Landlord and
Tenant Act of 1951, of the property for which the residential
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public utility service is requested. The term does not include
an individual who, not later than 30 days after service
termination or discontinuance of service, seeks to have service
reconnected at the same location or transferred to another
location within the service territory of the public utility.
"Change in income." A decrease in household income of:
(1) 10% or more if the customer's household income level
exceeds 300% of the Federal poverty level; or
(2) 5% or more if the customer's household income level
is below 300% of the Federal poverty level.
"Creditworthiness." An assessment of an applicant's or
customer's ability to meet bill payment obligations for utility
service.
"Customer." An individual who is at least 18 years of age or
an emancipated minor whose name a residential service account is
listed and who is primari