REGULATED UTILITIES, AESs, & MUNICIPAL UTILITIES:  INCLUDE PHONE NUMBERS WITH SHUTOFF NOTICES   

House Bill 4385 (Substitute H-1)

Sponsor:  Rep. Tim Moore

Committee:  Energy and Technology

Complete to 3-31-09

A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 4385 AS REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE 3-26-09

The bill would add Section 9e to the Public Service Commission Law to require a provider (defined in this bill as an electric utility, municipally-owned electric or natural gas utility, cooperative electric utility, alternative electric supplier, or an investor-owned, rate-regulated natural gas utility) to include with or on any shut-off notice the telephone number of (1) the Department of Human Services energy assistance line or (2) an operable 2-1-1 system. 

MCL 460.9e

FISCAL IMPACT:

            A fiscal analysis is in process.

POSITIONS: 

The Public Service Commission testified in support of the entire shutoff protection package of bills.  (3-24-09)

The Attorney General indicated support of the entire package.  (3-26-09)

The Department of Human Services indicated support of the entire package.  (3-26-09)

ACORN (Michigan) indicated support of the entire package.  (3-24-09)

The Center for Civil Justice indicated support of the entire package.  (3-24-09)

Clean Water Action testified in support of the entire package, and submitted a letter of support dated 3-24-09, but would also like to see shutoff protections during hot summer weather and a ban on foreclosures due to non-payment of utility bills.   (3-24-09)

Consumers Energy indicated support of the entire package.  (3-24-09)

DTE Energy indicated support of the entire package.  (3-26-09)

Elder Law of Michigan indicated support of the entire package.  (3-24-09)

Indiana Michigan Power indicated support of the entire package.  (3-26-09)

Michigan Advocacy Project indicated support of the entire package.  (3-24-09)

The Michigan Catholic Conference indicated support of the entire package.  (3-24-09)

The Michigan Electric Cooperative Association indicated support of the entire package.  (3-24-09)

The Michigan Electric and Gas Association indicated support of the entire package.  (3-26-09)

Michigan Citizen Action indicated support of the entire package.  (3-24-09)

The Michigan Municipal Electric Association testified in support of the entire package.  (3-26-09) 

SEMCO Energy indicated support of the entire package.  (3-26-09)

The AARP opposes House Bill 4390 and House Bill 4392, but is supportive of the rest of the package, including this bill.  (3-24-09)

                                                                                           Legislative Analyst:   Shannan Kane

                                                                                                  Fiscal Analyst:   Mark Wolf

■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.