ENERGY ASSISTANCE INFORMATION S.B. 536:
COMMITTEE SUMMARY
[Please see the PDF version of this analysis, if available, to view this image.]
Senate Bill 536 (as introduced 5-5-09)
Sponsor: Senator Glenn S. Anderson
Committee: Energy Policy and Public Utilities
Date Completed: 9-17-09
CONTENT
The bill would amend Public Act 3 of 1939, the Public Service Commission (PSC) law, to require an electric or natural gas provider to include with any shut-off notice a list consisting of the contact information for the energy assistance telephone line number at the Department of Human Services or for a 2-1-1 system telephone number.
A provider would have to include the information at least twice per year in a customer's bill with a bill insert, in a newsletter issued to its customers, a public forum, newspaper announcement, or electronic communication, or, for a cooperative electric utility, in a periodical issued by an association of rural electric cooperatives.
The notification could be transmitted in the same manner as the customer's billing. The PSC could supplement the methods of providing the information.
("Provider" would mean an electric utility, cooperative electric utility, alternative electric supplier, or an investor-owned business engaged in the sale and distribution of natural gas within Michigan whose rates are regulated by the PSC.)
Proposed MCL 460.9j Legislative Analyst: Julie Cassidy
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.
Fiscal Analyst: Elizabeth Pratt
Maria Tyszkiewicz
Analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent. sb536/0910