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Bill > HB5047

MI HB5047

MI HB5047
Public utilities: consumer services; automatic enrollment in winter protection program; provide for. Amends secs. 9o & 10t of 1939 PA 3 (MCL 460.9o & 460.10t) & adds sec. 9x.

summary

Introduced
09/24/2025
In Committee
09/24/2025
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 and certain providers of electric vehicle charging services; 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,"by amending sections 9o and 10t (MCL 460.9o and 460.10t), section 9o as added by 2009 PA 173 and section 10t as amended by 2016 PA 341, and by adding section 9x.

AI Summary

This bill amends Michigan's utility regulations to enhance winter protection programs for senior citizens and families with young children. The bill requires electric and natural gas utilities to automatically enroll senior citizens (defined as customers 65 years or older, including those who were 62 or older on October 31, 2023) in winter protection programs starting November 1, 2025. Providers must proactively identify senior citizens using methods like customer interviews, telephone calls, mail, or bill inserts, and must provide a bill insert at least two months before automatic enrollment that explains the winter protection program, affordability programs, medical emergency protoff protection, and in-person assistance services. Once enrolled, senior citizens cannot be disenrolled except in cases of death or moving out of the service area. The bill also introduces a similar provision for households with children 16 years or younger, allowing them to enroll in winter protection programs. Providers must submit annual reports detailing the number of enrolled senior citizens and families, and the bill aims to ensure vulnerable populations have continued access to utility services during cold months. The legislation is officially titled the "protect kids and seniors from the cold act" and applies to cooperative, municipal, and privately owned electric and natural gas utilities.

Committee Categories

Agriculture and Natural Resources

Sponsors (25)

Last Action

Bill Electronically Reproduced 09/24/2025 (on 09/25/2025)

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