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A 2599

Requires electric companies to provide alternative measures to ensure customers with documented need for essential electricity for medical needs have access to electricity during power outages

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Joe DeStefano and 7 co-sponsors

Requires electric utilities to provide alternative measures so customers with documented medical needs keep electricity during outages.

REFERRED TO CORPORATIONS, AUTHORITIES AND COMMISSIONS
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Bill Summary · A 2599

Bill A 2599 — Summary

Overview

Bill A 2599 would require electric companies to provide alternative measures to ensure that customers with a documented medical need have access to electricity during power outages. The aim is to safeguard essential electricity for individuals whose medical conditions depend on continuous power.

Purpose and Intent

  • Ensure continued electricity access for customers with documented medical needs during outages.
  • Place an affirmative obligation on electric utilities to implement alternative measures to protect medically dependent customers.

Note: The specific definitions of “alternative measures,” the scope of eligibility, and any verification or oversight mechanisms would be detailed in the full text of the bill.

Key Provisions (High-Level)

  • Electric companies must provide alternative measures to maintain electricity access for customers with documented medical needs during power outages.
  • The bill assigns a regulatory obligation to electric utilities to implement and maintain these measures (exact standards and processes would be defined in the enacted text).

Affected Parties

  • Primary: Customers with documented medical needs requiring uninterrupted electricity.
  • Secondary: Electric utility companies and state/municipal regulators responsible for implementing and enforcing the provision.
  • The broader public may be affected through potential changes to service obligations and outage resilience planning.

Legislative Timeline and Procedural Status

  • Introduced: January 21, 2025.
  • Current Status: Referred to the Committee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions.
  • Legislative Actions: The bill shows two identical referral actions listed on January 21, 2025, indicating it has been routed to the committee for consideration.
  • Next Steps: Awaiting committee review, potential amendments, and eventual floor action or passage (subject to committee and legislative process).

Sponsors

  • Primary Sponsor: Nader Sayegh
  • Cosponsors: Angelo Santabarbara, MaryJane Shimsky, John Lemondes, Chris Tague, Joe DeStefano, Rebecca Seawright, Michael Durso

Related Bills

  • A 11017 (prior-session)
  • A 3042 (prior-session)
  • A 538 (prior-session)
  • S 7568 (companion) [listed twice, indicating cross-chamber companion]

Potential Impacts and Considerations

  • Public safety and health: Could reduce risk for medically vulnerable individuals during outages.
  • Utilities: May incur costs or operational changes to satisfy the alternative-measures requirement; timeline, scope, and specifics would drive impact.
  • Implementation: Dependent on definitions (e.g., what constitutes a “documented medical need,” what constitutes "alternative measures," and oversight mechanisms) as detailed in the full bill text.

Note: This summary covers the information available in the bill notice. The full text would provide precise definitions, implementation details, funding, and timelines.

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

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