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UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SJR 75/GA
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A JOINT RESOLUTION directing the Public Service Commission to explore 1
measures that would address affordability and the provision of essential ut ility services 2
and declaring an emergency. 3
WHEREAS, access to essential utility services, including electric, water, and sewer, 4
are necessary to light, heat, and clean the home, and fundamental for the health, safety, 5
and well-being of all Kentuckians; and 6
WHEREAS, due to affordability challenges, individuals and households with low 7
and fixed incomes face significant barriers to maintaining consistent access to essential 8
utility services due to affordability challenges; and 9
WHEREAS, various utilities, espec ially those serving disadvantaged communities 10
in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, struggle to meet their basic revenue requirements 11
while keeping rates affordable for their customers; and 12
WHEREAS, many individuals and households with low and fixed incomes oft en 13
face disconnection from their utility services due to inability to pay their bill; and 14
WHEREAS, the Commonwealth has an interest in ensuring that utility services are 15
provided in a manner that is equitable, just, and consistent with the public interest; and 16
WHEREAS, the Public Service Commission, as the regulatory body charged with 17
oversight of jurisdictional utilities, is uniquely positioned to explore innovative and 18
effective measures to address affordability, and ensure the ongoing provision of essent ial 19
utility services to vulnerable populations; and 20
WHEREAS, the General Assembly notes and reaffirms that the commission's 21
jurisdiction over fair, just, and reasonable rates includes consideration of the affordability 22
of utility service; and 23
WHEREAS, creating a dedicated space to examine these issues will allow for 24
meaningful engagement with stakeholders, including jurisdictional utilities and consumer 25
advocates to bring forward sustainable solutions; 26
NOW, THEREFORE, 27
UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SJR 75/GA
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SJR007510.100 - 1836 - XXXX 3/13/2026 10:54 AM GA
Be it resolved by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky: 1
Section 1. The Public Service Commission is hereby directed to open one or 2
more administrative cases to investigate and identify measures utilities can use to 3
improve the affordability of utility service for low- and fixed-income individuals. 4
Section 2. The Public Service Commission shall invite and encourage 5
participation in the administrative case or cases from electric, water, and wastewater 6
utilities to become parties to the administrative case, and engage with affected 7
communities and nonprofit advocacy organizations to ensure broad and representative 8
participation in both formal and informal proceedings and to inform the development of 9
recommendations. 10
Section 3. The administrative case or cases shall: 11
(1) Examine strategies to provide consistent access to utility service for low and 12
fixed-income customers; 13
(2) Examine strategies to protect consumers from payment delinquencies, late 14
fees, and disconnections that could threaten their health, safety, and well-being; and 15
(3) Evaluate potential solutions to address affordability such as rate design, 16
financial assistance programs, water and wastewater utility regionalization, and other 17
regulatory and nonregulatory approaches and innovations. 18
Section 4. The Public Service Commission shall report to the Legislative 19
Research Commission no later than September 1, 2027, summarizing the findings and 20
recommendations arising from the administrative case or cases and id entifying specific 21
measures that can be implemented by the General Assembly, the Public Service 22
commission, and various utilities to address affordability and disconnection. 23
Section 5. Whereas the steady increase in elec tricity and anticipated reduction 24
in 2027-2028 funding for the Low -Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) 25
threatens the health and safety of vulnerable low - and fixed -income citizens, an 26
emergency is declared to exist, and this Joint Resolution shall take effect upon its passage 27
UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS SJR 75/GA
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SJR007510.100 - 1836 - XXXX 3/13/2026 10:54 AM GA
and approval by the Governor or upon its otherwise becoming a law. 1