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SB 480STATE · VirginiaIntroduced

Public utilities; municipal utilities, disconnection of service, consumer protections.

Public utilities; municipal utilities; disconnectionof service; limitations; report; consumer protections. Suspendselectric, gas, water, and wastewater utilities subject to the regulationof the State Corporation Commission from disconnecting service toa residential customer for nonpayment of bills or fees during a stateof emergency declared by the Governor and provides that such suspensionlasts for 30 days after such declaration of the state of emergency.The bill suspends such electric and gas utilities from disconnectingservice to a residential customer for nonpayment of bills or feeswhen the forecasted temperature low is at or below 32 degrees Fahrenheitand suspends electric utilities from disconnecting any such customerfrom service when the forecasted temperature high is at or above95 degrees Fahrenheit within the 24 hours following the scheduleddisconnection. The bill further suspends electric, gas, water, and wastewater utilities from disconnecting residential customers fromservice on Fridays, weekends, state holidays, and the day immediatelypreceding a state holiday. The bill also creates similar requirementsfor utilities owned or operated by a locality of the Commonwealthand provides customers a civil cause of action if the municipallyowned or municipally operated utility fails to comply with the requirementsof the bill.

Voted: 4/17/2024

How representatives voted

406 yea·38 nay·4 other

Action history

  • 4/17/2024Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0790)
  • 4/17/2024Enacted, Chapter 790 (effective 7/1/24)
  • 4/17/2024Signed by Speaker as reenrolled
  • 4/17/2024Signed by President as reenrolled
  • 4/17/2024Reenrolled bill text (SB480ER2)
  • 4/17/2024Reenrolled
  • 4/17/2024Governor's recommendation adopted
  • 4/17/2024VOTE: Adoption (89-Y 11-N)
  • 4/17/2024House concurred in Governor's recommendation (89-Y 11-N)
  • 4/17/2024Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (40-Y 0-N)