Prohibits public utilities from discontinuing residential electric, gas, water, and sewer service during coronavirus 2019 state of emergency; requires those utilities to implement deferred payment agreements for those services.

2024-2025 Regular Session

Prohibits residential electric/gas/water/sewer disconnections during the coronavirus emergency and requires utilities to offer deferred payment agreements.

Introduced in the Assembly, Referred to Assembly Telecommunications and Utilities Committee

#emergmgmt #publicutil

Purpose and intent

Aims to protect residential customers from service disconnection for electric, gas, water, and sewer utilities during the coronavirus 2019 state of emergency.

Requires utilities to implement deferred payment agreements (DPAs) to help customers manage unpaid bills during and after the emergency period.

Key provisions

Prohibition on discontinuing residential utility service: Utilities may not shut off electric, gas, water, or sewer service to residential customers for the duration of the coronavirus 2019 state of emergency.

Deferred payment agreements: Utilities must offer DPAs to customers, providing a structured plan to repay outstanding balances related to these services.

Note: The bill summary does not include detailed terms for the DPAs (e.g., payment schedule, interest, penalties, or eligibility criteria). The specific language in the enacted bill would provide these details.

Affected parties

Primary beneficiaries: Residential utility customers (households) receiving electric, gas, water, or sewer service from public utilities in the state.

Regulated entities: Public utilities delivering electric, gas, water, and sewer services that would be subject to the moratorium on disconnections and required to offer DPAs.

Procedural status and timeline

Introduced: February 27, 2025.

Initial actions: Referred to the Assembly Codes Committee on February 27, 2025.

Subsequent action: Referred to the Assembly Telecommunications and Utilities Committee (noted on December 11, 2025). This indicates a progression through committee review.

Sponsorship: Primary sponsor is Assembly member Robert C. Carroll.

Related legislation:

A 8488 and A 2111 (prior-session versions)
S 5291 (companion; listed twice)
S 271 (companion)

Potential impact and considerations

Consumer protection: The bill strengthens protections for households during a declared state of emergency by preventing service termination and enabling manageable repayment options.

Utility operations: Utilities would need to implement or adjust DPAs and ensure policy compliance during the emergency period; potential administrative and customer service implications.

Scope and limits: The bill’s effectiveness depends on the defined duration of the state of emergency, the specific terms of DPAs, enforcement mechanisms, and any waivers or exemptions that may be included in the final text.

Fiscal and regulatory implications: No fiscal note details are provided here; the bill may have budgetary or regulatory implications that would be clarified in committee analyses.

If you’d like, I can tailor this summary to emphasize particular stakeholders (e.g., consumers, utilities, policymakers) or compare A 6253 to its related bills (A 8488, A 2111, S 5291, S 271).

Bill