Bill > HB206

This bill, the Utility Affordability & Relief Act, aims to address the financial challenges faced by utility customers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The key provisions include: 1. Requiring public utilities to offer installment agreements with extended payback terms for customers with arrears incurred during the pandemic, and prohibiting disconnections or collections from these customers if they enter an agreement or receive financial assistance. 2. Creating a "Utility Bill Relief Program" that provides a temporary 50% credit on pandemic-related arrears for eligible low-income or economically-impacted customers, with the remaining amount to be paid through installment agreements. 3. Allowing customers to apply for "economic hardship" status, which can result in further relief such as payment forbearance or full arrears forgiveness. 4. Directing public utilities to notify customers of these relief options and provide contact information for applying. 5. Establishing a framework for public utilities to recover reasonable costs associated with implementing the relief programs. 6. Creating a "Community Energy Efficiency Development Block Grant" program to fund energy efficiency projects in low-income and underserved communities. 7. Requiring utilities to report detailed data on customer disconnections, arrears, and households without service, and to develop plans for improving energy and water affordability and access.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance, Business and Industry

https://www.nmlegis.gov/lcs/legislation.aspx?chamber=H&legtype=B&legno=206&year=21