Senate Bill No. 243 mandates the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA), in collaboration with the Consumer Counsel, to conduct a study on the design of residential electric customer bills. The study will analyze how charges are depicted and described on these bills, focusing on whether the current presentation adequately informs customers about the components of each charge. It will also explore the potential benefits of moving components between charges to enhance understanding and transparency regarding the costs and benefits of programs funded through these charges. The chairperson of PURA is required to submit a report with findings and recommendations by January 1, 2027.

The bill includes new legal language that establishes the requirement for this study, effective October 1, 2026, and specifies that the chairperson must solicit written comments from electric distribution companies when developing recommendations. Additionally, the bill allows for potential redesigns of customer electric bills, which may involve renaming charge categories, creating new categories, or shifting components between charges. There are no anticipated fiscal impacts on the state or municipalities, as both PURA and the Consumer Counsel possess the necessary resources to carry out the study.