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LD 1949

An Act Regarding Energy Fairness

132nd Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Anne Carney and 8 co-sponsors

LD 1949 adjusts energy fairness by changing PUC procedures and hardship reporting, affecting the PUC, utilities, and hardship-ratepayers with potential funding impacts.

Signed by Governor
#hardshipreports #powers #publicutilitiescommission
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Bill Summary · LD 1949

Summary — LD 1949: "An Act Regarding Energy Fairness"

Bill overview

  • Bill number: LD 1949
  • Title: An Act Regarding Energy Fairness
  • Introduced: May 7, 2025
  • Subject tags: hardship reports; powers; Public Utilities Commission (PUC)
  • Current status: Carried over, in the same posture, to any special or regular session of the 132nd Legislature (pursuant to Joint Order SP 800).
  • Committee: Energy, Utilities and Technology

Note: The full text of the bill is not provided in the materials supplied. This summary is based on the bill title, subject classification, legislative actions, and the official fiscal notes and amendments.

Primary intent

The bill’s stated aim is to address “energy fairness,” with specific attention to hardship reports and the PUC’s authority or procedures. It appears intended to modify PUC processes or reporting requirements connected to customer hardship (likely related to low‑income or arrearage situations) and to define or change administrative procedures the PUC must follow.

Key provisions (based on available materials)

  • Changes to PUC administrative proceedings: The bill includes provisions governing administrative charge proceedings (timing and completion requirements). Committee amendments (S‑387) and a Senate amendment (S‑412) were adopted.
  • Hardship reporting and PUC powers: The bill is classified under hardship reports and PUC powers, suggesting it alters reporting, oversight, or enforcement mechanisms tied to energy affordability/hardship programs.
  • Implementation constraints: Some sections specify that certain administrative charge proceedings be completed “within existing resources.”

Because the bill text is not provided here, specific statutory changes, definitions, or programmatic details are not available in this summary.

Who would be affected

  • Public Utilities Commission — changes to its processes, duties, and possibly new procedural requirements.
  • Regulated utilities — may be subject to altered reporting, assessments, or evidence requirements in PUC proceedings.
  • Ratepayers, especially customers experiencing hardship — potential changes to how hardship is reported, reviewed, or addressed.
  • State budgeting/finance offices — if funding mechanisms for new PUC requirements are implicated.

Fiscal impact

Three fiscal notes were issued reflecting different amendment versions:
- LR2159(02): Indicates a current‑biennium cost increase to Other Special Revenue Funds. PUC reports additional contracted services would be needed to meet bill requirements, but the statute does not authorize use of existing OSR accounts — creating an unfunded requirement; overall impact undetermined.
- LR2159(03): Indicates a minor General Fund cost increase that could be absorbed within existing PUC budgeted resources.
- LR2159(05) (Senate amendment to committee amendment): No fiscal impact.

These divergent notes suggest fiscal effects depend on final adopted language and funding authorizations in the amended bill.

Legislative actions & next steps

  • Multiple work sessions and a divided committee report were held in May–June 2025. Committee Amendment A (S‑387), as amended by Senate Amendment A (S‑412), was adopted and the measure was passed to be engrossed on June 17, 2025. A House motion then tabled the report pending acceptance.
  • As of June 25, 2025 the bill was carried over, in the same posture, to any special or regular session of the 132nd Legislature under Joint Order SP 800.
  • Future action: further floor or chamber concurrence and possible inclusion in a subsequent special or regular session of the 132nd Legislature.

Notes and uncertainties

  • The summary above is limited by the absence of the bill’s full text. Precise statutory changes, definitions of “hardship,” reporting frequency, enforcement mechanisms, and any dollar thresholds or program details are not available in the documents provided.
  • Fiscal outcomes differ across amendment versions; final fiscal impact will depend on the language adopted and whether funding authorization for PUC work is included.

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

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