S1017B1268A04361 MAB:MAC 05/07/24 #90 A04361
AMENDMENTS TO SENATE BILL NO. 1017
Sponsor: SENATOR SAVAL
Printer's No. 1268
Amend Bill, page 2, line 11, by striking out "1405(a) and
(b)" and inserting
1405
Amend Bill, page 2, line 29, by inserting a bracket before
"20%"
Amend Bill, page 2, line 29, by inserting after "20%"
] 5%
Amend Bill, page 2, line 30, by inserting a bracket before
"if"
Amend Bill, page 2, line 30, by inserting after "if"
] of
Amend Bill, page 2, line 30, by inserting a bracket before
"level"
Amend Bill, page 3, line 3, by inserting a bracket after
"level"
Amend Bill, page 4, line 19, by inserting after
"emancipated."
The term shall include a verbal attestation of household
income provided by a customer or applicant to a public utility
for the purpose of an income-based or other requirement under
this chapter.
Amend Bill, page 8, lines 25 through 29, by striking out "The
request for a payment arrangement is" in line 25 and all of
lines 26 through 29
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Amend Bill, page 8, line 30, by inserting a bracket before
"The"
Amend Bill, page 8, line 30, by inserting after
"arrangements.--The"
] Except as provided under subsection (b.1), the
Amend Bill, page 9, line 18, by striking out all of said line
and inserting
(b.1) Alternative payment arrangement.--If a customer's
monthly payment would exceed 20% of the customer's average
monthly bill based on the length of the payment arrangement
under subsection (b), the commission may extend the applicable
length of the payment arrangement not to exceed two times the
length of the payment arrangement the customer would otherwise
be entitled to under subsection (b).
[(c) Customer assistance programs.--Customer assistance
program rates shall be timely paid and shall not be the subject
of payment arrangements negotiated or approved by the
commission.]
(d) Number of payment arrangements.--[Absent a change in
income, the commission shall not] The commission shall establish
or order a public utility to establish a second [or subsequent]
payment arrangement if a customer has defaulted on a previous
payment arrangement established by a commission order or
decision. The commission may establish or order a public utility
to establish subsequent payment arrangements if the customer
experienced a change in income or a significant change in
circumstance. A public utility may, at its discretion, enter
into [a second or subsequent payment arrangement] additional
payment arrangements with a customer.
(e) Extension of payment arrangements.--If the customer
defaults on a payment arrangement established under subsections
(a) and (b) as a result of a significant change in circumstance,
the commission may reinstate the payment arrangement and extend
the remaining term for a period not to exceed the payment
arrangement period established under subsection (b.1) if not
already previously extended under subsection (b.1) or, if
previously extended under subsection (b.1), an initial period of
six months. The initial extension period may be extended for an
additional six months for good cause shown.
(f) Failure to comply with payment arrangement.--Failure of
a customer to comply with the terms of a payment arrangement
shall be grounds for a public utility to terminate the
customer's service. Pending the outcome of a complaint filed
with the commission, a customer shall be obligated to pay that
portion of the bill which is not in dispute and subsequent bills
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which are not in dispute.
Amend Bill, page 9, line 22, by striking out "(c)(2)(i)" and
inserting
(c)(2)
Amend Bill, page 14, line 4, by inserting after "customer"
, who is not covered under subparagraph (iv),
Amend Bill, page 14, line 11, by inserting a bracket before
"three"
Amend Bill, page 14, line 11, by inserting after "three"
] six
Amend Bill, page 14, line 18, by striking out all of said
line and inserting
(ii) [Full payment of any reconnection fees together
with repayment] Repayment over 12 months of any
outstanding balance incurred by the customer, who is not
covered under subparagraph (iv), or applicant if the
customer or applicant has an income exceeding 150% of the
Federal poverty level but not greater than 300% of the
Federal poverty level.
(iii) [Full payment of any reconnection fees
together with payment] Repayment over 24 months of any
outstanding balance incurred by the customer or applicant
if the customer, who is not covered under subparagraph
(iv), or applicant has an income not exceeding 150% of
the Federal poverty level. [A customer or applicant of a
city natural gas distribution operation whose household
income does not exceed 135% of the Federal poverty level
shall be reinstated pursuant to this subsection only if
the customer or applicant enrolls in the customer
assistance program of the city natural gas distribution
operation except that this requirement shall not apply if
the financial benefits to such customer or applicant are
greater if served outside of that assistance program.]
(iv) The payment of an outstanding balance in
accordance with the terms of a payment arrangement
established under section 1405 (relating to payment
arrangements) if the customer has not previously entered
into a payment arrangement established under section
1405.
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