Bill > S3222

This bill, called the Stop Shut-Offs During Shutdowns Act, aims to protect electric and natural gas consumers during government shutdowns by establishing protections against utility service disconnections. The bill expresses the sense of Congress that during any lapse in appropriations for the Department of Health and Human Services, state regulatory authorities and utility companies should ensure that: (1) consumers are not disconnected from electric or natural gas service due to inability to pay, (2) reasonable efforts are made to safely reconnect consumers who have lost service, (3) no charges are imposed for reconnection services, (4) late fees and penalties are waived, and (5) consumer costs are not increased. Additionally, the bill amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to prohibit electric service termination during periods of federal appropriations lapse and provides a mechanism for utilities to potentially recover substantial, prudently incurred costs associated with maintaining service through alternative regulatory processes. The legislation is designed to protect vulnerable consumers from losing essential utility services during government funding disruptions and ensure continuity of electricity and natural gas service.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/3222/all-info