SECOND REGULAR SESSION
SENATE BILL NO. 1234
91ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY
INTRODUCED BY SENATORS BLAND AND COLEMAN.
Read 1st time February 27, 2002, and 1,000 copies ordered printed.
TERRY L. SPIELER, Secretary.
4861S.01I
AN ACT
To amend chapter 386, RSMo, by adding thereto one new section relating to utility rates determined by the public service commission.
Section A. Chapter 386, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto one new section, to be known as section 386.374, to read as follows:
386.374. Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter to the contrary, the commission may consider ability to pay as a factor in setting utility rates and may establish programs for low-income residential utility customers to ensure affordable, reliable, and continuous service to such customers. In ordering such programs, the commission may require public utilities to provide information on the coordination of the program with other available low-income bill payment and energy conservation resources and the effects of the program on:
(1) The percentage of income that participating households devote to energy bills;
(2) The number of service disconnections;
(3) Utility collection costs; and
(4) Customer payment behavior, arrearages and bad debt.