UTILITIES: SENIOR CITIZEN CUSTOMERS S.B. 537:
COMMITTEE SUMMARY
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Senate Bill 537 (as introduced 5-5-09)
Sponsor: Senator Dennis Olshove
Committee: Energy Policy and Public Utilities
Date Completed: 9-17-09
CONTENT
The bill would amend Public Act 3 of 1939, the Public Service Commission (PSC) law, to require an electric or natural gas provider to attempt to determine whether a customer was a senior citizen (i.e., at least 65 years old) before shut-off of service, by at least one of the following methods:
-- Conducting an interview with the customer.
-- Obtaining information from a consumer reporting agency.
-- Any other method approved by the PSC.
A provider would have to comply with this requirement by November 1, 2009. The PSC could grant an extension to a provider.
("Provider" would mean an electric utility, cooperative electric utility, alternative electric supplier, or an investor-owned business engaged in the sale and distribution of natural gas within Michigan whose rates are regulated by the PSC. "Consumer reporting agency" would mean that term as defined in the Fair Credit Reporting Act. That Act defines the term as any person who, for monetary fees, dues, or on a cooperative nonprofit basis, engages regularly in whole or in part in the practice of assembling or evaluating consumer credit information or other information on consumers for the purpose of furnishing consumer reports to third parties, and who uses any means or facility of interstate commerce for the purpose of preparing or furnishing consumer reports.)
Proposed MCL 460.9l Legislative Analyst: Julie Cassidy
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.
Fiscal Analyst: Elizabeth Pratt
Maria Tyszkiewicz
Analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent. sb537/0910