Massachusetts H 5161: An Act to promote affordable utility services in the Commonwealth

Bill Text

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HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 4468        FILED ON: 2/27/2025 
HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 5161 
 
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts 
_________________ 
PRESENTED BY: 
Adam J. Scanlon 
_________________ 
To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General 
 Court assembled: 
 The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill: 
An Act to promote affordable utility services in the Commonwealth. 
_______________ 
PETITION OF: 
 
NAME: DISTRICT/ADDRESS: DATE ADDED: 
Adam J. Scanlon 14th Bristol 2/27/2025 
Steven S. Howitt 4th Bristol 3/3/2025 
Steven George Xiarhos 5th Barnstable 6/24/2025 

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HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 4468        FILED ON: 2/27/2025 
HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 5161 
By Representative Scanlon of North Attleborough, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Adam 
J. Scanlon and Steven S. Howitt relative to utility services.  Telecommunications, Utilities and 
Energy. 
 
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts 
 
_______________
 
In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court 
(2025-2026) 
_______________
 
 
An Act to promote affordable utility services in the Commonwealth. 
 
 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority 
of the same, as follows: 
 
1 SECTION 1. Chapter 25 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, 
2is hereby amended by adding the following section:- 
3 Section 24. Public Hearing and Comment Period for Department of Public Utilities Rate 
4Changes 
5 (a) The Department of Public Utilities shall be required to hold at least one public hearing 
6and a 30-day public comment period before approving any rate increase, including changes to 
7delivery fees or other charges. 
8 (b) The department shall provide notice of such hearings in a manner that ensures 
9accessibility, including publication on the department’s website, written notifications to affected 
10municipalities, and public service announcements. 

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11 SECTION 2. Chapter 164 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, 
12is hereby amended by adding the following section:- 
13 Section 149. Rate and Delivery Fee Increase Cap 
14 (a) Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, no investor-owned electric 
15or gas distribution company shall increase delivery fees or rates by more than 3 percent per year, 
16adjusted annually based on the Consumer Price Index for the Northeast region, as determined by 
17the Bureau of Labor Statistics. 
18 (b) The department shall adopt regulations necessary to implement this section, including 
19provisions ensuring transparency in rate adjustments and consumer notifications. 
20 SECTION 3. Said chapter of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by 
21adding the following section:- 
22 Section 150. Veteran Utility Rate Reduction Program 
23 (a) The department shall establish a Veteran Utility Rate Reduction Program that expands 
24upon the existing tiered rate structure, specifically targeting veterans, as defined by section 1 of 
25chapter 115, and those receiving VA disability compensation. 
26 (b) The department shall ensure that eligible veterans receive utility delivery fee 
27discounts contingent upon and aligned with the existing tiered low-income discount structure as 
28established by the department, with veterans qualifying for equivalent or greater benefits under 
29the same income thresholds. 
30 (c) The department shall promulgate regulations necessary for the implementation of this 
31section, ensuring that verification of eligibility for the veteran discount aligns with existing 

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32procedures for income-based discounts, utilizing VA records and other appropriate 
33documentation. The department shall also conduct outreach efforts to maximize veteran 
34participation in the program 
35 SECTION 4. Said chapter of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by 
36adding the following section:- 
37 Section 151. Senior Utility Rate Reduction Program 
38 The department shall establish a utility rate reduction program for residents of the 
39commonwealth aged 65 and older to provide discounted utility delivery fees. The department 
40shall promulgate regulations to determine eligibility criteria, discount rates, and ensure 
41streamlined implementation. 
42 SECTION 5. Chapter 239 of the Acts of 2024 is hereby amended by striking out sections 
434, 5, 10, 11, 16, 17, and 98. 
44 SECTION 6. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, there shall be a 
45special commission to study and recommend reforms to utility delivery fee structures, industry 
46best practices, and cost-reduction measures for consumers in the Commonwealth. The 
47commission shall analyze the impact of delivery fees on ratepayers, identify the primary cost 
48drivers, and evaluate regulatory or