How B26-0750 changes current law

Compared against the D.C. Code as published AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill establishes new consumer protection measures for residential customers in the electric supply market, including price caps and contract termination rights.

• D.C. Official Code § 34-1501

  “Department” means the District Department of the Environment. → “Department” means the Department of Energy and Environment.

  Updates the definition of 'Department' to refer to the Department of Energy and Environment.

• D.C. Official Code § 34-1501

  “Director” means the Director of the District Department of the Environment or his or her designee. → “Director” means the Director of the Department or the Director’s designee.

  Modifies the definition of 'Director' to refer to the updated Department.

• D.C. Official Code § 34-1504

  “in section 107;” → “in sections 107 and 107a;”

  Expands the reference to include new section 107a in the regulations regarding the Commission's duties.

• D.C. Official Code § 34-1507

  This restriction shall not apply to lawful disclosures for bill collection or credit rating reporting purposes; → This restriction shall not apply to lawful disclosures: (A) For bill collection or credit rating reporting purposes; (B) To a building owner about the energy consumption of a non-residential tenant of the building; or (C) To comply with the reporting requirements of this act.

  Allows additional types of disclosures relevant to the Act.

• D.C. Official Code § 34-1507

  This restriction shall not apply to lawful disclosures for bill collection or credit rating reporting purposes. → This restriction shall not apply to lawful disclosures for bill collection, credit rating reporting purposes, or information disclosed in compliance with the reporting requirements of this act.

  Clarifies and expands exceptions to the information disclosure restrictions.

• D.C. Official Code § 34-1507

  Sec. 107a. Market participants: rates, termination of contracts, and other consumer protections. (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the supply and sale of electricity by a market participant to residential customers shall be regulated by the Commission as follows: (1) A market participant shall only offer electricity supply to residential customers at a price that does not exceed the applicable price cap established by the Commission pursuant to subsection (b) of this section. (2) Residential customers may terminate their supply contracts at any time and market participants shall not charge residential customers fees or penalties for early termination of service.

  Establishes comprehensive consumer protections for residential electricity supply contracts, including price caps and rights to terminate contracts.

• D.C. Official Code § 34-1507

  The Commission shall establish one or more price caps for electricity supplied by a market participant to residential customers. Except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3) of this subsection, the price cap shall not exceed 110% of the price of the standard offer service.

  Introduces price caps to protect residential customers from excessive charges by alternative electricity suppliers.

• D.C. Official Code § 34-1507

  A contract that contains a price for electricity supply that exceeds an applicable price cap established pursuant to this section, including a contract entered into before the Commission established the price cap, shall: (1) Be deemed null and void as against public policy;

  Invalidates contracts exceeding the price cap, further protecting consumers.

• D.C. Official Code § 34-1507

  The Commission shall require each market participant to share the standard contract terms for each contract to be offered to a residential customer on a Commission-approved comparison website before the contract is offered to the residential customer.

  Mandates transparency by requiring market participants to disclose standard contract terms online for residential customers.