AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- DUTIES OF UTILITIES AND CARRIERS (Requires all public utilities to maintain a customer service facility within the state to perform services such as addressing customer inquiries and accepting bill payments.)

H7332

2026 -- H 7332
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LC004618
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
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A N A C T
RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- DUTIES OF UTILITIES AND
CARRIERS

Introduced By:
Representatives Hull, J. Lombardi, Fogarty, DeSimone, Tanzi, Felix,
Azzinaro, Alzate, Bennett, and Slater

Date Introduced:
January 28, 2026

Referred To:
House Corporations
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
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SECTION 1. Chapter 39-2 of the General Laws entitled "Duties of Utilities and Carriers"
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is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:
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39-2-29. Duty to maintain customer service operations within the state.

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Every public utility operated and licensed to provide services to the residents and
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businesses within the state under chapter 1 of title 39, shall maintain a customer service operation
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physically located within the state which is reasonably staffed to meet the expectations of the
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public. The customer service operation shall be available to answer customer inquiries, meet with
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customers, accept payment of bills, and perform any other services that the public utilities
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commission may direct from time to time.
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SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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LC004618
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EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- DUTIES OF UTILITIES AND
CARRIERS
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This act would require all public utilities to maintain a customer service facility within the
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state to perform services such as addressing customer inquiries and accepting bill payments.
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This act would take effect upon passage.
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LC004618
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