May 7, 2009, Introduced by Senator RICHARDVILLE and referred to the Committee on Energy Policy and Public Utilities.
A bill to amend 1984 PA 34, entitled
"Michigan low income heating assistance and shut-off protection
act,"
(MCL 400.1201 to 400.1217) by adding section 7a.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:
Sec. 7a. Not later than April 1, 2010 or at a time considered
possible by the department, the department shall operate an
electronic payment process with participating provider utilities to
provide for the payment of low income customer energy bills that
are subject to shutoff. The department, as it considers
appropriate, shall enter into agreements with provider utilities in
which the provider utility agrees to permit the department to make
direct payments to the energy provider on behalf of an eligible
recipient. The agreement shall authorize the provider utility to
provide customer information to the department. The department
shall determine the eligible recipients, program requirements,
benefit levels, and funding levels.