HB6943 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB096 24132 ASK 43565 b

96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2009 and 2010
HB6943

Introduced , by Rep. Monique D. Davis

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

220 ILCS 5/8-205.1 new

Amends the Public Utilities Act. Provides that notwithstanding any other provision of the Act, no natural gas utility shall disconnect service of any customer or affix a notice of service disconnection to the private property of any customer unless: (1) 6 months have passed without payment on the account and (2) the utility has received confirmation that the customer has received notice sent by certified mail informing the customer of his or her nonpayment and certain options available to the customer. Provides that any natural gas utility that violates the provision shall be fined by the Illinois Commerce Commission an amount equal to twice the outstanding balance on the customer's account.

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning regulation.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Public Utilities Act is amended by adding Section 8-205.1 as follows:

(220 ILCS 5/8-205.1 new)

Sec. 8-205.1. Requirements for termination of natural gas service.

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, no natural gas utility shall disconnect service of any customer or affix a notice of service disconnection to the private property of any customer unless:

(1) 6 months have passed without payment on the account; and

(2) the utility has received confirmation that the customer has received notice sent by certified mail informing the customer that:

(i) the customer's account is in arrears and the customer's service is subject to termination for nonpayment of a bill;

(ii) the customer can avoid disconnection of service by entering into a deferred payment agreement to pay past due amounts over a period not to extend beyond the following November and the customer has the option to enter into a levelized payment plan for the payment of future bills; and

(iii) the customer may apply for any available assistance to aid in the payment of utility bills from any governmental or private agencies from the list of such agencies provided to the customer by the utility.

(b) Any natural gas utility that violates subsection (a) of this Section shall be fined by the Commission an amount equal to twice the outstanding balance on the customer's account.