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MI HB4973

MI HB4973
Public utilities: consumer services; eligibility for utility power outage credits; provide for. Amends 1939 PA 3 (MCL 460.1 - 460.11) by adding sec. 9g. TIE BAR WITH: HB 4974'25


summary

Introduced
09/17/2025
In Committee
09/17/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

103rd Legislature

Bill Summary

A bill to amend 1939 PA 3, entitled"An act to provide for the regulation and control of public and certain private utilities and other services affected with a public interest within this state; to provide for alternative energy suppliers; to provide for licensing; to include municipally owned utilities and other providers of energy under certain provisions of this act; to create a public service commission and to prescribe and define its powers and duties; to abolish the Michigan public utilities commission and to confer the powers and duties vested by law on the public service commission; to provide for the powers and duties of certain state governmental officers and entities; to provide for the continuance, transfer, and completion of certain matters and proceedings; to abolish automatic adjustment clauses; to prohibit certain rate increases without notice and hearing; to qualify residential energy conservation programs permitted under state law for certain federal exemption; to create a fund; to encourage the utilization of resource recovery facilities; to prohibit certain acts and practices of providers of energy; to allow for the securitization of stranded costs; to reduce rates; to provide for appeals; to provide appropriations; to declare the effect and purpose of this act; to prescribe remedies and penalties; and to repeal acts and parts of acts,"(MCL 460.1 to 460.11) by adding section 9g.

AI Summary

This bill amends Michigan's utility regulations to establish mandatory power outage credits for residential and nonresidential customers. For residential customers, the bill creates a tiered credit system where customers receive increasingly higher dollar amounts per hour depending on the duration of their power interruption, ranging from $5 for the first hour to $25 for each hour of interruption lasting 72 hours or more. Nonresidential customers will receive credits based on a formula to be determined by the Public Service Commission within 12 months, which will calculate credits using the customer's average hourly load. The bill requires the commission to review and adjust these credit amounts every five years based on changes in the Consumer Price Index for the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn area, rounding up adjustments to the nearest dollar. If a customer's credit exceeds their current bill, the remaining balance will be carried forward to subsequent billing cycles. The bill is tied to another piece of legislation and will only take effect if that companion bill is also enacted into law, demonstrating a coordinated legislative approach to improving utility consumer protections.

Committee Categories

Agriculture and Natural Resources

Sponsors (20)

Last Action

Bill Electronically Reproduced 09/17/2025 (on 09/18/2025)

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