AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- REGULATORY POWERS OF ADMINISTRATION (Requires quarterly reading of electric and gas meters.)

H7886

2026 -- H 7886
========
LC005723
========

STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
____________
A N A C T
RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- REGULATORY POWERS OF
ADMINISTRATION

Introduced By:
Representatives Morales, Sanchez, Cruz, Potter, and Cotter

Date Introduced:
February 27, 2026

Referred To:
House Corporations
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
1
SECTION 1. Chapter 39-3 of the General Laws entitled "Regulatory Powers of
2
Administration" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:
3

39-3-37.4. Electric and gas meter reading required quarterly.

4

(a) Every electric and natural gas distribution public entity shall read, record and update
5
utility billing on a monthly scheduled interval. Bills shall be forwarded within fourteen (14) days
6
of the scheduled record.
7

(b) A utility company which estimates bills shall file with the Public Utility Commission
8
(PUC) a statement of their formula used in preparing estimated bills. The PUC has the discretion
9
to approve, reject or modify the proposed formula. Any amendments to the formula shall be
10
subjected to the PUC for review and approval.
11

(c) Estimated bills for ratepayers shall consist of charges for utility services calculated in
12
accordance with the formula approved by the PUC.
13

(d) Estimated bills shall be submitted to ratepayers for months when the quarterly reading
14
is not scheduled or conducted.
15

(e) In the event the utility fails to read the meter on a quarterly basis, they shall not demand,
16
collect, or require payment of any balance in excess of the amount required by the prior estimated
17
monthly bills.
18

(f) Any amount otherwise due for use in excess of the estimated monthly bill shall be

1
forfeited for any period in which the electric or natural gas distribution utility failed to read the
2
ratepayer’s meter.
3

(g) Meter reading conducted by the utility company shall not be passed on to ratepayers.
4
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect on July 1, 2026
========
LC005723
========

LC005723 - Page 2 of 3
EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- REGULATORY POWERS OF
ADMINISTRATION
***
1
This act would require quarterly reading of electric and gas meters.
2
This act would take effect on July 1, 2026
========
LC005723
========

LC005723 - Page 3 of 3