Utilities: termination of services.

Existing law prohibits an electrical, gas, heat, or water corporation from terminating residential service for nonpayment of a delinquent account unless the corporation first gives prescribed notice of the delinquency and impending termination. Existing law also prohibits termination in specified situations. This bill would require a gas or electrical corporation to implement specified practices, including prescribed bill payment plans for customers who are subject to termination of service for nonpayment of a delinquent bill, and a prohibition on requiring specified low-income customers to pay reestablishment of credit deposits unless the low-income customer's service has been terminated for nonpayment of bills. The bill would also require the commission to establish a benchmark for termination of gas and electrical service , and to require the commission to require a gas or electrical corporation to conduct a biennial affordability survey. Under existing law, a violation of the Public Utilities Act is a crime. Because this bill would be within the act, by imposing requirements on gas and electrical corporations, the violation of which would be a crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program by creating a new crime. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.