Bill Sponsors
Ciccone, Burke, Urso, Acosta, Tikoian, Felag, and Gallo
Committee
Senate Commerce
Summary
Select
This legislation amends the requirements for how electric distribution companies present bills to customers. It defines the term "conspicuously display" to mandate the inclusion of a visual illustration on the bill. This illustration must show the cost associated with each component of the bill, including supply, distribution, transmission, ratepayer-funded programs, and taxes. The bill grants the Division of Public Utilities and Carriers the authority to review and approve the specific format the utility company chooses to ensure it complies with this new requirement.
Sponsor
Analysis
Pros for Progressives
- Increases transparency for consumers by requiring a clear visual breakdown of costs, helping ratepayers understand exactly what they are paying for, including government-funded programs.
- Empowers the Division of Public Utilities and Carriers to regulate corporate billing practices, ensuring that utility monopolies provide clear information to the public.
- Makes essential utility information more accessible to all residents, regardless of their financial literacy, by mandating visual aids rather than just complex numerical tables.
Cons for Progressives
- By explicitly separating and visualizing "ratepayer funded programs and policy," the bill may inadvertently stigmatize renewable energy surcharges or low-income assistance fees, potentially fueling opposition to necessary social and environmental initiatives.
- Does not address the underlying issue of high utility rates or energy poverty, focusing only on aesthetics rather than substantive relief for struggling families.
- The costs incurred by the utility company to redesign billing systems and print visual illustrations will likely be passed on to ratepayers, slightly increasing the financial burden on the poor.
Pros for Conservatives
- Mandates the explicit visual display of "ratepayer funded programs and policy" and taxes, exposing hidden government fees and subsidies that inflate consumer energy costs.
- Increases transparency, allowing customers to clearly see the difference between the actual cost of power and the costs added by government mandates and distribution overhead.
- Empowers consumers with better information, potentially leading to greater public pressure against costly government interventions in the energy market.
Cons for Conservatives
- Imposes additional government regulations on private businesses by dictating the specific format and design elements of their billing statements.
- Grants unelected bureaucrats at the Division of Public Utilities and Carriers the power to approve or deny business communications, expanding administrative state authority.
- Increases compliance costs for utility companies to redesign systems, which interferes with free enterprise operations and efficiency.
Constitutional Concerns
None Likely
Impact Overview
Groups Affected
- Electric customers
- Electric distribution companies
- Division of Public Utilities and Carriers
- Business owners
- Homeowners
Towns Affected
All
Cost to Taxpayers
None
Revenue Generated
None
BillBuddy Impact Ratings
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Freedom Impact
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Public Services
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Regulatory
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Clarity of Bill Language
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Enforcement Provisions
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Environmental Impact
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Privacy Impact
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Bill Status
Current Status
Held
Comm Passed
Floor Passed
Law
History
• 01/16/2026 Introduced, referred to Senate Commerce
Bill Text
SECTION 1. Section 39-3-37.3 of the General Laws in Chapter 39-3 entitled "Regulatory Powers of Administration" is hereby amended to read as follows:
39-3-37.3. Informational notice on electric bills — Electric distribution company.
(a) Every electric distribution company that shall charge for the distribution of electricity to any house, building, tenement, or estate shall conspicuously display upon the bill or statement for any customer the following information:
(1) The total number of kilowatt hours consumed;
(2) The total cost of distributing the consumer power to the customer;
(3) Transition charges;
(4) Conservation costs;
(5) The total cost of transmitting the consumed power to the appropriate distribution site;
(6) All applicable credits;
(7) Applicable streetlight rental costs;
(8) Applicable taxes;
(9) The cost of power delivered; and
(10) All other costs, charges, or fees added to the bill or statement.
(b) The electric distribution company shall issue a single bill for electric service to all customers in its service territory; provided however, that customers of nonregulated power producers may request that the nonregulated power producers provide separate bills for electricity supply.
(c) For purposes of this section, “conspicuously display” means including a visual illustration showing each component of the utility bill and the cost associated with each component including, but not limited to, supply, distribution, transmission, ratepayer funded programs and policy, taxes and all other costs. The division shall have the authority to approve or deny the adequacy of the format chosen by the company for compliance with this provision.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
39-3-37.3. Informational notice on electric bills — Electric distribution company.
(a) Every electric distribution company that shall charge for the distribution of electricity to any house, building, tenement, or estate shall conspicuously display upon the bill or statement for any customer the following information:
(1) The total number of kilowatt hours consumed;
(2) The total cost of distributing the consumer power to the customer;
(3) Transition charges;
(4) Conservation costs;
(5) The total cost of transmitting the consumed power to the appropriate distribution site;
(6) All applicable credits;
(7) Applicable streetlight rental costs;
(8) Applicable taxes;
(9) The cost of power delivered; and
(10) All other costs, charges, or fees added to the bill or statement.
(b) The electric distribution company shall issue a single bill for electric service to all customers in its service territory; provided however, that customers of nonregulated power producers may request that the nonregulated power producers provide separate bills for electricity supply.
(c) For purposes of this section, “conspicuously display” means including a visual illustration showing each component of the utility bill and the cost associated with each component including, but not limited to, supply, distribution, transmission, ratepayer funded programs and policy, taxes and all other costs. The division shall have the authority to approve or deny the adequacy of the format chosen by the company for compliance with this provision.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.