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HB 5578

AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- REGULATORY POWERS OF ADMINISTRATION

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Karen Alzate and 9 co-sponsors

Rhode Island HB 5578 bars Internet connection-rate increases for residents aged 62+, effective Jan 1, 2026; enforcement details and bundled charges would be set later.

04/01/2025 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
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Bill Summary · HB 5578

Summary — HB 5578 (2025)

Title: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS — REGULATORY POWERS OF ADMINISTRATION
Introduced: Feb 26 / filed Mar 14, 2025
Primary sponsors: Reps. Kazarian, Dawson, DeSimone, Voas, Alzate, Stewart, Edwards, Morales, Furtado, Casimiro
Current status: 04/01/2025 — Committee recommended measure be held for further study

Main purpose

HB 5578 would add a new section (39‑3‑11.4) to Rhode Island law to prohibit providers of Internet access from increasing connection-service rates for senior customers (age 62 and older). The provision is aimed at protecting seniors from future rate increases for Internet connection services.

Key provisions

  • Adds § 39‑3‑11.4 to Chapter 39‑3 (Regulatory Powers of Administration).
  • Defines “Internet” broadly as the interconnected worldwide network using TCP/IP (or predecessor/successor protocols).
  • Prohibits, effective January 1, 2026, providers of access to the Internet from increasing rates for persons 62 years of age or older for connection services to the Internet.
  • Section 2 states the act takes effect upon passage; the operative prohibition is dated to begin January 1, 2026.

Who is affected

  • Primary: Providers of Internet access (ISPs / public utilities and carriers that supply connection services) operating in Rhode Island.
  • Beneficiaries: Rhode Island residents aged 62 and older who subscribe to Internet connection services.
  • Other stakeholders: State regulatory agencies (for interpretation/oversight), consumer/elder advocacy groups, and municipal/state budget officials if enforcement requires administrative resources.

Scope and limitations / implementation notes

  • The bill prohibits rate increases for covered seniors but does not set or freeze current rates, specify rate level caps, or require discounts.
  • The text refers specifically to “connection services to the Internet”; it does not explicitly address bundled services, equipment charges, installation fees, promotional rate expirations, surcharges, taxes, or third‑party fees—these could be subject to interpretation.
  • The bill does not include an enforcement mechanism, penalty schedule, or administrative procedures (e.g., age verification, dispute resolution), which would likely require further rulemaking or statutory clarification.
  • Effective date nuance: while the act “takes effect upon passage,” the non‑increase rule is expressly effective January 1, 2026.

Procedural timeline (selected)

  • 02/26/2025: Introduced (document header).
  • 03/14/2025: Filed. Referred to House Corporations.
  • 04/07/2025: Read first time; referred to subcommittee on Property Tax Appraisals by Speaker.
  • 05/01/2025: Subcommittee public hearing; left pending; testimony/registrations recorded.
  • 05/07/2025: Subcommittee considered a substitute and reported favorably with substitute.
  • 04/01/2025: Committee recommended measure be held for further study (most recent status reported).

Potential impacts

  • Seniors: Protection against future rate increases for Internet connection service starting 1/1/2026.
  • ISPs: Potential constraints on pricing strategy for accounts identified as belonging to customers aged 62+, possible administrative burden to track and honor age‑based prohibitions.
  • Regulators/legislature: May need follow-up legislation or agency rules to define enforcement, verification mechanisms, and scope (bundles, fees, etc.).

This summary highlights the substantive change proposed — a statutory prohibition on future Internet connection rate increases for Rhode Island residents aged 62 and older — and notes implementation and procedural considerations that would affect how the prohibition operates in practice.

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

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