The bill amends the Public Utility Act to introduce a new definition for "low-income customer," identifying them as residential customers of electric public utilities with an annual household income at or below eighty percent of the county area median income. It exempts these low-income customers from rate riders applicable to new interconnected customers, thereby alleviating additional financial burdens associated with utility services. The bill outlines specific criteria for qualifying as a low-income customer, which includes self-attestation of income, proof of residence in affordable housing, or proof of enrollment in state or federal low-income assistance programs.

Furthermore, the bill clarifies and redefines several terms within the Public Utility Act, such as "commission," "commissioner," "corporate subsidiary," and "public utility." It establishes that low-income customers will not be included in the rate recovery context for ancillary and standby services related to interconnected customers. To enhance support for low-income customers, the bill mandates that electric public utilities inform their customers about low-income qualifications and required documentation by December 31, 2025, and annually thereafter. Once qualified, customers will not need to requalify for five years, streamlining the process and reducing administrative burdens for both customers and utilities.

Statutes affected:
introduced version: 62-3-3, 62-13-13.2