An Act protecting consumers from unreasonable utility rate increases
Take action
Record your position on this measure.
Create an account to record your position, submit testimony, or contact your legislator.
Progress
Where this bill stands in the legislative process.
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Overview
This bill aims to protect Massachusetts consumers from excessive increases in utility rates. It seeks to ensure that utility companies justify rate increases and that consumers are not unfairly burdened by inflated costs. The bill intends to provide greater oversight and transparency in how utility rates are determined. It also establishes a process for reviewing and potentially challenging proposed rate increases.
Key provisions
- Requires utility companies to provide detailed justification for proposed rate increases.
- Establishes a process for consumer review and comment on proposed rate increases.
- Creates a study order (linked to H5323) to examine utility rate regulation.
- Mandates transparency in utility rate-setting processes.
- Allows consumers to challenge rate increases through a formal process.
- Focuses on preventing unreasonable rate increases, rather than setting specific rate limits.
Who is affected
- Massachusetts consumers
- Utility companies (electric, gas, and telecommunications)
- The energy and telecommunications sectors
Notable changes
- The bill includes a study order (H5323) to examine utility rate regulation in more detail.
- It emphasizes justification and transparency in rate-setting processes.
Bill text
Read the latest version inline or switch to a previous version.
Text extraction is in progress. View the official source.
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
6 on record
Primary sponsor
Cosponsors
James Arciero
Joanne M. Comerford
Arguments
Reasons offered for and against this legislation.
Arguments in favor
No arguments in favor have been submitted.
Submit yoursArguments opposed
No arguments opposed have been submitted.
Submit yours