UTILITIES: SENIOR CITIZEN IDENTIFICATION H.B. 4661 (H-1):
COMMITTEE SUMMARY
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House Bill 4661 (Substitute H-1 as passed by the House)
Sponsor: Representative Andy Coulouris
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 an electric or natural gas provider, in the ordinary course of business, to make ongoing efforts to identify senior citizen customers (i.e., those who are at least 65 years old).
A provider would have to use one of the following methods:
-- Conducting customer interviews.
-- Obtaining information from a consumer reporting agency or consumer reporting service.
-- A personal or automated telephone call where direct contact was made with a member of the customer's household or a message was recorded on an answering machine or voice mail.
-- First-class mail.
-- A personal visit to the customer.
-- A written notice left at or on the customer's door.
-- A bill insert.
-- Any other method approved by the PSC.
A provider would have to comply with the bill's requirements by November 1, 2009. The PSC could grant an extension to a provider for compliance.
("Consumer reporting agency" would mean that term as defined in 15 USC 1681a, i.e., any person that, for monetary fees, dues, or on a cooperative nonprofit basis, regularly engages in whole or in part in the practice of assembling or evaluating consumer credit information or other information on consumers for the purpose of furnishing consumer reports to third parties, and that uses any means or facility of interstate commerce for the purpose of preparing or furnishing consumer reports.
"Provider" would mean an electric utility, cooperative electric utility, or alternative electric supplier, or an investor-owned natural gas utility whose rates are regulated by the PSC.)
Proposed MCL 460.9l Legislative Analyst: Julie Cassidy
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. hb4661/0910