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HB 2333

An Act amending Title 66 (Public Utilities) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for responsible utility customer protection.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Danilo Burgos and 16 co-sponsors

Extends and expands the Responsible Utility Customer Protection program to reduce shutoffs, broaden assistance, and extend protections for low- to moderate-income utility customers

Referred to Consumer Protection & Professional Licensure
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 2333

Summary of HB 2333 (2025-2026) – Pennsylvania

Proposed legislation amending Title 66 (Public Utilities) to extend and modify provisions of the Responsible Utility Customer Protection program (Chapter 14)

1) Purpose and Intent

  • Reauthorizes and expands the framework of the Public Utility Code’s Responsible Utility Customer Protection provisions.
  • Extends the sunset of Chapter 14 through December 31, 2036.
  • Introduces new or revised protections aimed at reducing utility shutoffs, easing payment burdens, and increasing accessibility to assistance for low- to moderate-income households, while broadening applicability (e.g., water/wastewater utilities in Pittsburgh).

2) Key Provisions and Changes

Policy and Scope

  • § 1402-A: Declaration of Policy
    • Provides additional collection tools for Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW).
    • Applies the chapter’s protections to a water/sewer authority in the City of Pittsburgh.

Definitions (changes across § 1403-A)

  • “Applicant” and “Customer”
    • Expanded to include individuals 18+ or emancipated minors with names on a lease, per Landlord and Tenant Act standards.
  • “Change in income” (threshold reduced)
    • Change in income triggers eligibility if household income exceeds 300% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL; reduction from higher thresholds to 10% change for everyone).
  • “Household income”
    • Combined gross income of all adults 18+, excluding income of those under 18 or not emancipated.
  • “Creditworthiness” and “Medical certificate”
    • Revisions to eligibility criteria; medical certificates can be provided by registered nurses (RN) in addition to physicians, PAs, and NPs.
  • “Significant change in circumstances”
    • Includes changes in income plus other hardship events (employment change, death, injury, divorce, etc.) without requiring verification of every change.

Payment and Deposits

  • § 1404-A: Cash deposits and household information
    • Eliminates ability to collect deposits under PUC regulation/order.
    • Abolishes certain deposit prohibition provisions; CAP (Cash Assistance Program) requirements linked to 300% FPL.
    • Requires return of deposits to customers.
  • § 1404.1-A: New – Security deposits
    • Prohibits utilities from collecting security deposits for customers/applicants below 300% of FPL.

Payment Arrangements

  • § 1405-A
    • Extends or creates flexible payment terms by income level:
    • 6 years (≤150% FPL)
    • 4 years (150–250% FPL)
    • 2 years (250–300% FPL)
    • 1 year (>300% FPL)
    • Creates “alternative payment arrangement” if monthly payment would exceed 20% of average monthly bill for those ≤300% FPL.
    • Precludes adding customers to payment plans if they are in CAP; allows CAP enrollment to satisfy arrears and enables CAP customers to avoid upfront payments when reconciling arrears.
    • PUC rulemaking authority may be preempted by statutory language.

Termination and Reconnection

  • § 1406-A: Termination of service

    • Notice to terminate must be sent 20 days prior (instead of 10).
    • Termination notice effective for 70 days; notices can be mailed or provided electronically with consent.
    • Biannual update of customer contact information.
    • Adds protections during specific days (no termination on Fridays, holidays, or business days immediately preceding holidays).
    • Cold-weather protections:
    • No termination for low-income households (≤250% FPL) during winter.
    • Prohibits terminations in counties with active NWS winter alerts during extreme conditions.
    • Prohibits electric service termination after June 30 and before Sept 1 for low-income households (≤250% FPL).
    • Clinics/medical considerations: termination cannot occur during a medical certificate period (up to 60 days) with potential renewal.
    • LIHEAP linkage: termination notice/assistance can support LIHEAP Crisis Grant eligibility; no terminations during federal government shutdowns for LIHEAP-eligible customers.
    • Expands language access: notices in English, Spanish, and top five languages spoken in service territory.

  • § 1407-A: Reconnection of service

    • Prohibits reconnection fees for households ≤250% FPL; increases repay period from 3 to 6 months.
    • For households >250% and ≤400% FPL, reconnection fee may be included in arrearages.
    • Prohibits reconnection fees for ≤300% FPL.
    • Replaces “life event” with “significant change of circumstances.”
    • Enables reconnection through CAP enrollment without upfront payment of arrears.

Late Payments and Complaints

  • § 1409-A: Late payment charge waiver
    • Requires waiver of late charges for customers ≤300% FPL.
  • § 1410-A: Complaints
    • PUC can accept formal or informal complaints after customer attempts to contact the Commission.
  • § 1410.1-A: Public utility duties
    • Utilities must screen for income level, contact arrears customers with >90 days past due, offer payment arrangements.
    • Annual report to the PUC on residential accounts with >$10,000 in arrearages.

Reporting and Miscellaneous Provisions

  • § 1411-A: Automatic meter readings deemed actual readings.
  • § 1413-A: Reporting to DHS on LIHEAP/public assistance recipients.
  • § 1414-A: Lien authority for PGW against properties for unpaid services.
  • § 1415-A: Reporting to General Assembly and Governor every five years.
  • § 1417-A: Nonapplicability – PFAs from other jurisdictions may be considered; certification allowed from DV counselors/advocates.
  • § 1419-A: Sunset extension to 2036.

3) Who Is Affected

  • Residential utility customers of electric, natural gas (including PGW), water/sewer, and other covered utilities.
  • Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW) and a Pittsburgh water/sewer authority (new applicability).
  • Customers with low-to-moderate incomes (various threshold tiers based on FPL).
  • Utilities (filing, collection, and customer service operations) subject to updated rules and reporting requirements.

4) Timeline and Fiscal Impact

  • Effective date: 60 days after enactment.
  • Sunset: Extended to December 31, 2036.
  • Fiscal note indicates no net General Fund impact; the bill extends provisions and introduces changes without creating a new General Fund cost, though implementation and admin costs are not enumerated beyond this note.

5) Notable Administrative Details

  • PUC gains expanded regulatory authority over collection practices, payment arrangements, and termination/reconnection processes.
  • Language accommodations emphasize accessibility (multilingual notices).
  • Focus on affordability and protection against disconnection for vulnerable populations.

This overview captures the core structure and implications of HB 2333 as presented in the fiscal note and bill language.

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

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