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HB 2584

An Act amending Title 66 (Public Utilities) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in Public Utility Commission, further providing for consumer protection and information.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Kyle Donahue and 14 co-sponsors

The bill strengthens utility consumer protections by expanding the PUC’s duties to provide clear, accessible information, improved notices, and timely handling of complaints and pr

Referred to Consumer Protection, Technology & Utilities
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 2584

Bill overview

  • Bill: HB 2584
  • Session: 2025-2026
  • Jurisdiction: Pennsylvania
  • Title: An Act amending Title 66 (Public Utilities) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in Public Utility Commission, further providing for consumer protection and information
  • Primary aim: To modify and strengthen consumer protection and information requirements within the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) framework.

Main purpose and intent

  • The bill seeks to enhance protections for utility consumers by clarifying and expanding the PUC’s duties related to consumer information, transparency, and safeguarding consumer rights.
  • It focuses on ensuring consumers have better access to clear, accurate, and timely information about utility services, rates, billing, energy choices, and complaint handling.
  • By refining statutory provisions, the bill aims to improve accountability of utility providers and the PUC in addressing consumer concerns and during rate proceedings or other regulatory actions.

Key provisions and changes (highlights)

  • Consumer protection enhancements:
    • Expand or specify requirements for how utilities communicate information to customers (e.g., about rates, service interruptions, billing practices, and energy efficiency programs).
    • Introduce or tighten standards for clear, understandable billing and notices, potentially including standardized language or disclosures.
  • Information accessibility:
    • Potential mandates for the PUC and utilities to provide easy access to consumer data, complaint statistics, service reliability metrics, and program availability (e.g., low-income assistance, payment plans, and energy assistance programs).
    • Requirements for convenient channels for consumer inquiries and complaint submission, with defined timelines for responses.
  • Accountability and oversight:
    • Clarify the PUC’s authority related to consumer protection investigations, enforcement actions, and penalties for violations of consumer information duties.
    • Possible enhancements to reporting obligations to the General Assembly or to the public about consumer protection performance, complaint trends, and resolution times.
  • Procedural updates:
    • Adjust or codify timelines for PUC action on consumer complaints or information requests.
    • Align certain processes with other title provisions under Title 66 to ensure consistency across utility sectors (electric, gas, water, telecommunications, etc.).

Who would be affected

  • Utilities regulated by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (electric, natural gas, water, and possibly telecommunications and other regulated services).
  • The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC), in its role as the regulator overseeing consumer protection and information dissemination.
  • Consumers and utility customers, who would experience changes in how information is provided, how complaints are handled, and the transparency of billing and program information.
  • Utility providers would need to adjust communications, notices, and reporting to comply with any new/expanded protections and timelines.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • The bill would become law through the standard legislative process and, if enacted, would amend Title 66 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes.
  • Depending on the specific provisions, effective dates may be immediate upon enactment or specify phased implementation (e.g., a defined period for utilities to comply with new notice and reporting requirements).
  • Possible rulemaking or regulatory actions by the PUC to implement the new protections and information requirements, including developing guidance or revised forms, notices, and reporting templates.

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Consumer experience: Likely improvements in clarity of bills, notices, and accessibility of information, aiding informed choice and timely problem resolution.
  • Compliance burden: Utilities may incur costs to enhance communications, build out data access mechanisms, and update systems for new reporting and disclosure requirements.
  • Oversight and transparency: Increased visibility into complaint handling, service quality, and program availability could improve accountability.
  • Rate and program implications: Should be monitored to ensure consumer protections do not inadvertently affect rate setting or program funding in ways that could impact affordability.

If you’d like, I can tailor this summary to focus on particular sections once the bill’s text is available, or compare it to prior Pennsylvania consumer-protection provisions for more context.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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