HB 641: Public utilities; require electric supplier to hold the proposed discontinuation of electrical service to a residential customer who suffers from a serious illness in abeyance for a certain period of time

The Senate Committee on Regulated Industries and Utilities offered the following substitute to HB 641:

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

To amend Chapter 3 of Title 46 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to electric services, so as to require certain electric suppliers to have in place a written policy regarding discontinuation of electric service to residential consumers with serious, life-threatening conditions; to provide for furnishing of such policy to consumers; to provide an effective date and applicability; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:

SECTION 1.

Chapter 3 of Title 46, relating to electrical service, is amended in Code Section 46-3-11, relating to application by electric supplier of discriminatory rates, charges, or service rules or regulations and prohibited acts by electric suppliers generally, by adding a new subsection to read as follows:

"(c) Beginning January 1, 2027, any electric supplier that serves residential consumers shall have in place a written policy regarding discontinuation of electric service to residential consumers who have a serious, life-threatening condition and have provided the electric supplier with a written statement from a physician, county board of health, hospital, or clinic identifying the such condition and its expected duration, and certifying that the condition would be aggravated by a discontinuation of electric service, and shall furnish such written policy upon request by a consumer or potential consumer."

SECTION 2.

All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.