Electrical and gas corporations: restoration and termination of services.

Existing law prohibits an electrical or gas corporation from terminating residential service for nonpayment of a delinquent account unless the corporation first gives notice of the delinquency and impending termination, as provided. Existing law requires the notice to include information on procedures by which the affected residential customer may initiate a complaint, request an investigation concerning the service or charges, and request amortization of the unpaid charges. Existing law requires that a residential customer who initiated a complaint, requested an investigation, or requested an extension of the payment period be given an opportunity for review of the complaint, investigation, or request by a review manager of the corporation. Existing law requires the review to include a consideration of whether the customer is to be permitted to amortize the unpaid balance of the delinquent account over a reasonable time period, not to exceed 12 months. This bill would require an electrical or gas corporation to restore service to a residential customer whose service was previously terminated for nonpayment of delinquent amounts upon the customer entering into an amortization agreement or any other arrearage payment plan determined by the Public Utilities Commission. The bill would require the restoration of service to occur by specified deadlines, to the extent authorized by commission rules. This bill would require the commission, on or before July 1, 2025, to determine whether to direct electrical and gas corporations to take into account a customer's ability to pay before terminating or reconnecting services, as provided. Under existing law, a violation of the Public Utilities Act or an order, decision, rule, direction, demand, or requirement of the commission is a crime. Because a violation of the provisions of this bill or a commission action implementing the requirements of the bill would be a crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. 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.