APPROVED CHAPTER
MARCH 14, 2024 534
BY GOVERNOR PUBLIC LAW
STATE OF MAINE
_____
IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD
TWO THOUSAND TWENTY-FOUR
_____
H.P. 1330 - L.D. 2067
An Act to Continue the Arrearage Management Program for Low-income
Residential Electricity Customers
Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and
Whereas, the current laws governing arrearage management programs are repealed
September 30, 2024; and
Whereas, this legislation proposes to continue transmission and distribution utilities'
arrearage management programs for low-income residential customers; and
Whereas, to prevent the repeal of current laws governing arrearage management
programs, this legislation must take effect immediately; and
Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within
the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as
immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now,
therefore,
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 35-A MRSA §3214, sub-§2-A, as amended by PL 2021, c. 101, §1, is
further amended by amending the 3rd blocked paragraph to read:
No later than January 28, 2024 2028, the commission shall prepare a report assessing the
effectiveness of arrearage management programs from October 1, 2024 through September
30, 2027, including the number of participants enrolled in the programs, the number of
participants completing the programs, the number of participants who have failed to
complete the programs, the payment patterns of participating customers after completing
the programs, the dollar amount of arrears forgiven, a comparison of outcomes for those
participating in the programs and those not participating, the impact on any participating
transmission and distribution utility's bad debt as a result of the programs, the costs and
benefits to all ratepayers associated with the programs and recommendations for ways in
which the programs might be improved or continued for the benefit of all ratepayers. In
preparing its report, the commission shall hold at least one formal stakeholder meeting
involving affected parties, including the Office of the Public Advocate and the participating
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transmission and distribution utilities. Parties must also be provided an opportunity to
submit written comments to the commission regarding the performance of the programs.
Sec. 2. 35-A MRSA §3214, sub-§2-A, as amended by PL 2021, c. 101, §1, is
further amended by amending the 4th blocked paragraph to read:
The joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over utilities matters
may report out a bill relating to the commission report to the Second Regular Session of
the 131st 133rd Legislature.
Sec. 3. 35-A MRSA §3214, sub-§2-A, as amended by PL 2021, c. 101, §1, is
further amended by amending the 5th blocked paragraph to read:
This subsection is repealed September 30, 2024 2028.
Sec. 4. 35-A MRSA §10110, sub-§2, ¶L, as amended by PL 2021, c. 101, §2, is
further amended by amending the first blocked paragraph to read:
This paragraph is repealed September 30, 2024 2028.
Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation
takes effect when approved.
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Statutes affected:
Bill Text LD 2067, HP 1330: 35-A.3214, 35-A.10110
Bill Text ACTPUB , Chapter 534: 35-A.3214, 35-A.10110