An Act relative to electric ratepayer protections

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Jo Comerford and 2 co-sponsors

Starting Jan 1, 2026, no supplier or broker may sign or renew generation-service contracts with individual residential customers.

Overview

This bill proposes a new consumer-protection provision within Chapter 164 of the General Laws to limit how residential customers enter into generation-service contracts. The core aim is to shield individual residential ratepayers from new or renewed contracts offered by certain market actors and to strengthen enforcement through the attorney general.

Key Provisions

New prohibition (Section 1L): Beginning on or after January 1, 2026, no supplier, energy marketer, or energy broker may execute a new contract or renew an existing contract for generation services with any individual residential retail customer.

Scope and exemptions:

The prohibition does not apply to government bodies that aggregate residential load as part of a municipal aggregation plan under section 134.
It does not apply to entities organizing or administering programs under section 137.

Enforcement and remedies: A violation is deemed an unfair and deceptive act under Chapter 93A. The Attorney General may bring an action under Section 4 of Chapter 93A to enforce the provision and obtain restitution, civil penalties, injunctive relief, or any other relief available under that chapter.

Affected Parties

Directly affected: Individual residential retail customers who would otherwise be approached for new or renewed generation-service contracts by suppliers, energy marketers, or energy brokers.

Industry impact: Suppliers, energy marketers, and brokers would be prohibited from seeking residential generation contracts post-2025, with limited exceptions through municipal aggregations or certain programs. Municipal aggregation plans under section 134 and programs under section 137 remain unaffected.

Effective Date and Procedural Notes

Effective date: The prohibition takes effect on or after January 1, 2026.

Legal mechanism: The provision would be inserted as Section 1L immediately after existing Section 1K in Chapter 164.

Status context: The bill was introduced for the 2025-2026 session; related prior efforts exist (e.g., Senate Bill No. 2106 from the 2023-2024 session).

Potential Impact and Considerations

May reduce aggressive or high-pressure sales practices directed at residential customers.

Could shift residential customers toward standard utility/service choices or municipal aggregation options rather than private generation contracts.

Creates a clear enforcement pathway through the Attorney General under Chapter 93A, including restitution and civil penalties for violations.

Does not alter existing municipal aggregation mechanisms or certain programmatic arrangements, preserving those avenues for ratepayer protections.

If you’d like, I can add a brief comparison to similar prior bills or outline potential implementation steps for agencies and stakeholders.

Bill