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

PRIOR PRINTER'S NO.

3028 PRINTER'STHE NO.GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA HOUSE BILL Session of No.

3196 THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA HOUSE BILL Session of No.

HARRIS,HARRIS CEPEDA-FREYTIZ, TIBURCIO, SANCHEZ, GREEN AND SALISBURY,CEPEDA-FREYTIZ, MARCH 19, 2026 ASREFERRED AMENDEDTO COMMITTEE ON SECONDCONSUMER CONSIDERATION,PROTECTION, HOUSETECHNOLOGY OFAND REPRESENTATIVES,UTILITIES, APRILMARCH 14,19, 2026 AN ACT Amending Title 66 (Public Utilities) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for responsible utility customer protection.

(RESERVED).1413-A.

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(2) It is now time to revisit these rules and provide 20260HB2333PN319620260HB2333PN3028 - 2 - protections against rate increases for timely paying customers resulting from other customers' delinquencies.

"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 20260HB2333PN319620260HB2333PN3028 - 3 - public utility service is requested.

"Customer assistance program." A plan or program sponsored by a public utility for the purpose of providing universal service and energy conservation, as defined by section 2202 (relating to definitions) or 2803 (relating to definitions), or other assistance programs offered by a public utility, including 20260HB2333PN319620260HB2333PN3028 - 4 - a water distribution utility or wastewater utility, in which customers make monthly payments based on household income and household size and under which customers must comply with certain responsibilities and restrictions in order to remain eligible for the program.

fiscal year requirements respecting availability, etc.), 8627 (relating to withholding of funds), 8628 (relating to limitation on use of grants for construction), 8629 (relating to 20260HB2333PN319620260HB2333PN3028 - 5 - studies and reports) and 8630 (relating to renewable fuels) that provides financial assistance in the form of cash and crisis grants to low-income households for home energy bills and is administered by the Department of Human Services.

"Public utility." An electric distribution utility, natural gas distribution utility, small natural gas distribution 20260HB2333PN319620260HB2333PN3028 - 6 - utility, steam heat utility, wastewater utility or water distribution utility in this Commonwealth that is within the jurisdiction of the commission.

"Steam heat utility." An entity producing, generating, 20260HB2333PN319620260HB2333PN3028 - 7 - distributing or furnishing steam for the production of heat or to or for the public for compensation.

(iii) Failure to permit access to meters, service connections or other property of the public utility for the purpose of replacement, maintenance, repair or meter 20260HB2333PN319620260HB2333PN3028 - 8 - reading.

(c) Deposit hold period.-- (1) A public utility may hold a deposit until a timely 20260HB2333PN319620260HB2333PN3028 - 9 - payment history is established.

(i) Interest shall be computed at the simple annual interest rate determined by the Secretary of Revenue for 20260HB2333PN319620260HB2333PN3028 - 10 - interest on the underpayment of tax under section 806 of the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.343, No.176), known as The Fiscal Code.

or 20260HB2333PN319620260HB2333PN3028 - 11 - (2) if the applicant has household income no greater than 300% of the Federal poverty level, one-twelfth of the applicant's estimated annual bill shall be paid in full at the time the city natural gas distribution operation determines a deposit is required.

(b) Length of payment arrangements.--Except as provided 20260HB2333PN319620260HB2333PN3028 - 12 - under subsection (b.1), the length of time for a customer to resolve an unpaid balance on an account that is subject to a payment arrangement that is investigated by the commission and is entered into by a public utility and a customer may not extend beyond:

(c) Customer assistance programs.-- (1) Customer assistance program rates shall be timely paid and are not subject to commission-issued payment 20260HB2333PN319620260HB2333PN3028 - 13 - arrangements while the customer is enrolled in a customer assistance program.

(f) Failure to comply with payment arrangement.--Failure of 20260HB2333PN319620260HB2333PN3028 - 14 - a customer to comply with the terms of a payment arrangement shall be grounds for a public utility to terminate the customer's service.

The public utility shall mail the written termination notice via first class mail to the customer and provide the termination notice by electronic means if the customer affirmatively and appropriately consents to receive the termination notice by electronic 20260HB2333PN319620260HB2333PN3028 - 15 - means and the public utility has the capability to provide the termination notice by electronic means.

(iii) During the months of December through March, unless personal contact has been made with the customer 20260HB2333PN319620260HB2333PN3028 - 16 - or responsible adult who is at least 18 years of age or an emancipated minor by personally visiting the customer's residence, within 48 hours of the scheduled date of termination, post a notice of the proposed termination at the service location in a conspicuous location.

(v) Tendering payment for reconnection of service that is subsequently dishonored, revoked, canceled or otherwise not authorized under subsection (h) and that has not been cured or otherwise made full payment within three business days of the public utility's notice to the 20260HB2333PN319620260HB2333PN3028 - 17 - customer, made in accordance with the notice provisions of subsection (b)(1)(ii), of the dishonored payment.

(e) Winter EXTREME WEATHER termination.-- <-- (1) Unless otherwise authorized by the commission, after November 30 and before April 1, a public utility may not terminate service to customers with household incomes at or below 250% of the Federal poverty level except for customers whose actions conform to subsection (c)(1).

(2) In addition to the winter EXTREME WEATHER <-- termination authority under paragraph (1)(1), OR (4), a city <--natural 20260HB2333PN3196gas -distribution 1820260HB2333PN3028 - natural18 gas- distribution operation may terminate service to a customer whose household income exceeds 150% of the Federal poverty level but does not exceed 250% of the Federal poverty level, and starting January 1, has not paid at least 50% of the charges for each of the prior two months, unless the customer has:

(4) UNLESS OTHERWISE AUTHORIZED BY THE COMMISSION, AFTER <-- JUNE 30 AND BEFORE SEPTEMBER 1, A PUBLIC UTILITY MAY NOT TERMINATE ELECTRIC SERVICE TO CUSTOMERS WITH HOUSEHOLD INCOMES AT OR BELOW 250% OF THE FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL EXCEPT FOR CUSTOMERS WHOSE ACTIONS CONFORM TO SUBSECTION (C)(1).

THE COMMISSION MAY NOT PROHIBIT A PUBLIC UTILITY FROM TERMINATING 20260HB2333PN3196 - 19 - ELECTRIC SERVICE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS SECTION TO CUSTOMERS WITH HOUSEHOLD INCOMES EXCEEDING 250% OF THE FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL.

(5) UNLESS OTHERWISE AUTHORIZED BY THE COMMISSION, A PUBLIC UTILITY MAY NOT TERMINATE SERVICE TO A CUSTOMER IN A COUNTY ON A DAY FOR WHICH THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS ISSUED A WINTER STORM WARNING, EXTREME COLD WARNING, FREEZE WARNING, COLD WEATHER ADVISORY, EXTREME HEAT WATCH, EXTREME HEAT WARNING, HEAT ADVISORY OR A SIMILAR TEMPERATURE-BASED WARNING FOR THE COUNTY.

(6) UNLESS OTHERWISE AUTHORIZED BY THE COMMISSION, A PUBLIC UTILITY MAY NOT TERMINATE SERVICE TO A CUSTOMER WHO IS OTHERWISE ELIGIBLE FOR LIHEAP DURING A FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN THAT DELAYS THE ANTICIPATED DISBURSEMENT OF LIHEAP FUNDING.

20260HB2333PN3028 - 19 - (1) Service may not be terminated for the time period specified in a medical certification.

(g) Qualification for utility assistance.--A notice of termination to a customer of a public utility shall be 20260HB2333PN3196 - 20 - sufficient proof of a crisis for a customer with the requisite income level to receive a LIHEAP crisis grant or utility assistance from the Department of Human Services or its designee as soon as practicable after the date of the notice.

or 20260HB2333PN3028 - 20 - (iii) the customer tenders payment electronically that is subsequently dishonored, revoked, canceled or is otherwise not authorized and that has not been cured or otherwise made full payment within three business days of the public utility's notice to the customer, made in accordance with the notice provisions of subsection (b) (1)(ii), of the dishonored payment.

(2) The commission may not require the public utility to 20260HB2333PN3196 - 21 - take any additional actions prior to the termination.

A public utility shall inform applicants and customers of the prohibition on reconnection fees specified in this subsection at the time a reconnection fee is assessed and provide the household with the opportunity to demonstrate 20260HB2333PN3028 - 21 - that they are exempt under this provision.

(b) Timing.--If service to a dwelling has been terminated 20260HB2333PN3196 - 22 - and provided the customer or applicant has met all applicable conditions, the public utility shall reconnect service as follows:

(3) WITHINWithin 24three HOURSdays FORfor TERMINATIONSerroneous OCCURRINGterminations AFTERrequiring <--street JUNEor 30sidewalk ANDdigging. BEFORE SEPTEMBER 1 IN VIOLATION OF SECTION 1406- A(E)(4) (RELATING TO TERMINATION OF UTILITY SERVICE) OR TERMINATIONS OCCURRING IN VIOLATION OF SECTION 1406-A(E)(5) OR (6).

(3) (4) Within three days forfrom erroneousApril terminations1 <--to requiringNovember street30 orfor sidewalkproper digging.terminations.

(4) (5) Within threeseven days fromfor Aprilproper 1terminations torequiring Novemberstreet 30or <--sidewalk fordigging. proper terminations.

(5) (6) Within seven days for proper terminations <-- requiring street or sidewalk digging.

(i) Full payment of any outstanding balance incurred together with any reconnection fees by the customer or applicant prior to reconnection of service if the 20260HB2333PN3028 - 22 - customer or applicant has an income exceeding 300% of the Federal poverty level or has defaulted on two or more payment arrangements.

If a customer or applicant with 20260HB2333PN3196 - 23 - household income exceeding 300% of the Federal poverty level experiences a significant change of circumstances, the customer shall be permitted a period of not more than three months to pay the outstanding balance required for reconnection.