KLS Keeping Law Simple Legislation in plain English

Straight-ahead summaries built from the official bill text. We keep the source links front and center and leave the decision up to you.

Back to Delaware

HS2FORHB116 • 2025

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 26 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITY RATES.

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 26 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITY RATES.

Energy
Enacted

This bill passed the Legislature and reached final enactment based on the latest official action.

Sponsor
Last action
2025-07-16
Official status
Signed by Governor
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill does not provide specific details on what happens if a customer no longer qualifies for the discount after being approved.

Act to Provide Discounted Utility Rates for Low-Income Customers

This act allows the Public Service Commission to approve a discounted gas or electric residential utility rate of up to 20% off standard rates for qualified low-income customers, with utilities determining eligibility annually and the commission reviewing the discount every five years.

What This Bill Does

  • Allows the Public Service Commission to approve discounts of up to 20% off standard residential distribution rates for qualified low-income customers.
  • Requires utilities to determine customer eligibility annually in cooperation with the Department of Health and Social Services.
  • Needs the Public Service Commission to review any discount rate approved under this Act every five years.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Low-income people who use gas or electricity in their homes.
  • Utilities that provide gas or electric services.
  • The Department of Health and Social Services, which helps determine eligibility for discounts.

Terms To Know

Public Service Commission
A group that makes rules about public utilities like electricity and gas companies in Delaware.
Department of Health and Social Services
An agency that helps people with social services, including determining eligibility for discounts.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify the duration beyond five years for reviewing discount rates.
  • It is unclear what happens if a customer no longer qualifies for the discount after being approved.

Amendments

These notes stay tied to the official amendment files and metadata from the legislature.

SA 1

1 • Hansen

Passed 6/26/25

Plain English: This amendment changes how an applicant's eligibility for low-income utility rates is determined and shared with utilities, and defines what a 'low-income residential customer' means.

  • Adds that DHSS will notify the participating electric or natural gas utility if an applicant is eligible for the low-income rate based on their participation in a means-tested program.
  • Requires annual written or electronic consent from applicants to share information about their eligibility for the low-income residential rate.
  • Defines 'low-income residential customer' as someone who qualifies for a means-tested program run by DHSS.
  • The amendment text does not provide details on how the notification process will work or what happens if an applicant refuses to give consent.

Bill History

  1. 2025-07-16 Delaware General Assembly

    Signed by Governor

  2. 2025-06-30 Delaware General Assembly

    Passed By House. Votes: 26 YES 14 NO 1 VACANT

  3. 2025-06-26 Delaware General Assembly

    Amendment SA 1 to HS 2 - Passed By Senate. Votes: 18 YES 3 NO

  4. 2025-06-26 Delaware General Assembly

    Passed By Senate. Votes: 15 YES 6 NO

  5. 2025-06-25 Delaware General Assembly

    Reported Out of Committee (Environment, Energy & Transportation) in Senate with 1 Favorable, 4 On Its Merits

  6. 2025-06-24 Delaware General Assembly

    Amendment SA 1 to HS 2 - Introduced and Placed With Bill

  7. 2025-06-10 Delaware General Assembly

    Passed By House. Votes: 26 YES 13 NO 2 ABSENT

  8. 2025-06-10 Delaware General Assembly

    Assigned to Environment, Energy & Transportation Committee in Senate

  9. 2025-06-05 Delaware General Assembly

    was introduced and adopted in lieu of HB 116

Official Summary Text

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 26 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITY RATES.
This Act provides the Public Service Commission with the flexibility to consider and approve a discounted gas or electric residential utility rate for qualified low-income customers, provided the discount is 20% of standard residential distribution rates. This permits low-income customers to receive utility distribution services at a lower cost. A utility offering a discounted low-income rate is responsible for annually determining customer eligibility in cooperation with the Department of Health and Social Services. The Public Service Commission must review any discount rate approved under this Act every five years to determine if the discount rate should be re-authorized.