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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2013 - 2014
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | February 22, 2013 08:49 AM |
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| From: | Representative Robert W. Godshall |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Repeal Section 5 of Act 201 which makes the provisions permanent. |
| In the near future, I will be introducing legislation to repeal section 5 of Act 201 of 2004. This provision provides for the expiration of Chapter 14 of Title 66. Act 201 amended Title 66 of the PA Statutes by adding Chapter 14 which provide security deposit, service termination and reconnection procedures for utilities. As stated in the Declaration of Policy in the Act, the General Assembly was concerned about the impact that utility uncollectible accounts have on the rates of timely paying customers. At the time Act 201 was enacted consumers who accrued overdue balances with their utilities were able to receive an unlimited number of payment agreements from both the Public Utility Commission and the utility companies. Act 201 established a specific procedure for the handling of accounts with overdue balances. Act 201 sought to achieve a balance between providing utilities with a means to equitably manage their uncollectible accounts and ensuring that all customers receive utility service on reasonable terms and conditions. Based upon the biennial reports submitted by the Public Utility Commission, Act 201 appears to have struck this balance. Since passage of the Act, utilities have successfully reduced their uncollectible accounts and more eligible customers are taking advantage of customer assistance programs offered by utilities to manage their monthly utility bills. By making the provisions of Act 201 permanent, my bill will provide for continued improvement in collections and further reduce the impact of uncollectible accounts on the rates timely paying customers while ensuring all consumers continue to receive safe, reliable utility service at reasonable rates. |
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| View Attachment | ||
Introduced as HB1047