UTILITY NOTIFICATIONS: THIRD PARTY H.B. 4660 (H-3):
COMMITTEE SUMMARY
House Bill 4660 (Substitute H-3 as passed by the House)
Sponsor: Representative Tonya Schuitmaker
House Committee: Energy and Technology
Senate Committee: Energy Policy and Public Utilities
Date Completed: 4-2-09
CONTENT
The bill would amend Public Act 3 of 1939, the Public Service Commission (PSC) law, to require a provider to allow a customer to designate a third party to receive bill notifications, including shut-off notices, from the provider on the customer's behalf, subject to the third party's consent.
A provider would have to comply with this requirement by November 1, 2009. The PSC could grant an extension to a provider. For good cause, the governing body of a municipally owned electric or natural gas utility could grant an extension to that utility for compliance with the proposed requirement.
The PSC could promulgate rules for electric utilities, cooperative electric utilities, alternative electric suppliers, or natural gas utilities for the implementation of and compliance with the requirement.
As used in the bill, "provider" would mean an electric utility, municipally owned electric or natural gas utility, cooperative electric utility, or alternative electric supplier, or a natural gas utility as defined in Section 9 (an investor-owned business engaged in the sale and distribution of natural gas within this State whose rates are regulated by the PSC).
Proposed MCL 460.9g Legislative Analyst: Suzanne Lowe
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.
Fiscal Analyst: Elizabeth Pratt
Maria TyszkiewiczAnalysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent. hb4660/0910