All Roll Calls
Yes: 308 • No: 8
Sponsored By: Joshua G. Cole (Democratic)
Became Law
Public utilities; budget plan payment increases. Prohibits a public utility from, for any residential customer who is enrolled in a budget plan, increasing the amount of such customer's monthly payment more than once within any 12-month period or without notifying the customer in writing at least 60 days before such increase takes effect. The bill defines "budget plan" as a fixed billing option offered by a public utility to a customer whereby the total service for the succeeding 12-month period is estimated in advance and bills are rendered monthly on the basis of one-twelfth of the 12-month estimate. The provisions of the bill do not apply to any public utility engaged in the business of furnishing water or sewerage facilities.
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2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Residential customers on a utility budget plan get steadier bills. A utility can raise your monthly budget‑plan payment only once in any 12 months. It also must send you written notice at least 60 days before the increase starts. A budget plan is a fixed monthly bill based on a 12‑month estimate.
These protections do not cover utilities that provide water or sewer service. Water and sewer providers are not bound by the one‑increase‑per‑year limit or the 60‑day written notice rule for budget‑plan payment increases.
Joshua G. Cole
Democratic • House
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
All Roll Calls
Yes: 308 • No: 8
House vote • 3/9/2026
Senate amendment agreed to by House
Yes: 93 • No: 4
Senate vote • 3/5/2026
Commerce and Labor Amendment agreed to
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/5/2026
Passed Senate with amendment
Yes: 37 • No: 2
Senate vote • 3/4/2026
Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading)
Yes: 39 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/4/2026
Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/2/2026
Reported from Commerce and Labor with amendment
Yes: 12 • No: 1
House vote • 1/28/2026
Read third time and passed House Block Vote
Yes: 97 • No: 0
House vote • 1/22/2026
Reported from Labor and Commerce with amendment(s)
Yes: 22 • No: 0
House vote • 1/20/2026
Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment(s)
Yes: 8 • No: 1
Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0373)
Approved by Governor-Chapter 373 (effective 7/1/2026)
Fiscal Impact statement From DPB (3/25/2026 2:39 pm)
Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 25, 2026
Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB242ER)
Enrolled
Signed by President
Signed by Speaker
Senate amendment agreed to by House (93-Y 4-N 0-A)
Passed Senate with amendment (37-Y 2-N 0-A)
Commerce and Labor Amendment agreed to
Engrossed by Senate as amended
Read third time
Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (39-Y 0-N 0-A)
Rules suspended
Senate committee offered
Reported from Commerce and Labor with amendment (12-Y 1-N)
Referred to Committee on Commerce and Labor
Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)
Read third time and passed House Block Vote (97-Y 0-N 0-A)
Fiscal Impact Statement from State Corporation Commission (HB242)
Engrossed by House as amended
committee amendments agreed to
Chaptered
4/8/2026
Enrolled
3/14/2026
Amendment
3/5/2026
Amendment
3/3/2026
Amendment
3/2/2026
Engrossed
1/27/2026
Amendment
1/22/2026
Amendment
1/20/2026
Introduced
1/8/2026
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