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HB 704

Relating to the disconnection of service provided to residential customers by certain utilities and propane gas distribution system retailers.

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by Cecil Bell

HB 704 regulates residential utility disconnection procedures, establishing notice requirements and protections for vulnerable customers before service termination.

Referred to State Affairs
#utilities--electric(i0831) #utilities--general(i0830) #utilities--naturalgas(i0001) #utilities--water&sewer(i0002)
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 704

Legislative bill overview

HB 704 establishes regulations governing how utilities and propane gas distribution retailers can disconnect service to residential customers. The bill appears to set standards for notice requirements, disconnection procedures, and protections for vulnerable populations before service termination occurs.

Why is this important

Utility disconnections directly affect residential families' access to essential services like electricity, water, and heating gas. These regulations determine what protections exist for customers unable to pay and establish the procedural safeguards before households lose critical services, which has significant public health and economic implications.

Potential points of contention

  • Balance between utility collection and consumer protection: Whether the notice periods and disconnection procedures adequately protect low-income households or unduly burden utilities' ability to collect unpaid bills
  • Scope of covered services: Disagreement over which utilities and retailers are subject to these rules, and whether the coverage is comprehensive enough or too broad
  • Exemption criteria: Debate over which customer categories (elderly, disabled, families with children, winter months) should receive enhanced protections and whether these exemptions are reasonable or create moral hazard

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

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