HB 5152
Relating to the disconnection of residential utility during a State of Emergency
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Sign in to take action- Introduced
- Passed House of Delegates
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Bill overview
This bill protects West Virginia residents during a state of emergency by preventing public utilities from disconnecting their services for nonpayment. It requires utilities to offer deferred payment agreements to customers facing financial hardship due to the emergency and prohibits disconnection for 180 days after the emergency ends. The bill also mandates utilities to restore service within 48 hours of termination and to notify customers of these protections.
Key provisions
- Utilities cannot disconnect residential customers for overdue charges during a state of emergency.
- Utilities must offer deferred payment agreements to customers experiencing financial hardship.
- Utilities must restore service within 48 hours of termination during an emergency.
- Service disconnection is prohibited for 180 days after the state of emergency ends.
- Customers must attest to financial hardship when entering a deferred payment agreement.
- Utilities must provide notice to customers about these protections.
- Utilities can recover lost revenue after the emergency ends.
- Utilities can still disconnect service for health and safety reasons.
Who is affected
- Residential utility customers
- Public utility companies
- West Virginia residents
Notable changes
- Prohibits utility disconnection for nonpayment during state of emergency.
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