Rhode IslandH54842025 Regular SessionHouse

AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- DUTIES OF UTILITIES AND CARRIERS .

Sponsored By: Lauren H. Carson (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.

Higher penalties for utilities and staff

Effective upon passage, Rhode Island public utilities face penalties of $200 to $5,000 per offense, up from a $1,000 maximum. Covered offenses include breaking utility laws, disobeying regulators' orders, and failing duties with no other specified penalty. Each order violation counts separately, as does each day of a continuing violation. Utility officers, agents, and employees who break these laws, disobey orders, or help violations commit a misdemeanor. Their fines range from $100 to $1,000 per offense, up from a $500 maximum. Their actions within the scope of their jobs also count as actions of the utility.

Water suppliers leave this penalty coverage

Effective upon passage, the law removes water suppliers from the express penalty coverage in the amended enforcement section. It also removes water-supplier officers, agents, and employees from that section's individual-offense rules. This change does not establish whether other laws impose penalties on water suppliers.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Lauren H. Carson
Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 73 • No: 0

House vote • 5/20/2025

DUTIES OF UTILITIES AND CARRIERS PASSAGE