Bill Text: IL SB0451 | 2015-2016 | 99th General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Amends the Public Utilities Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning estimated billing practices.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2015-10-10 - Senate Committee Amendment No. 2 Pursuant to Senate Rule 3-9(b) / Referred to Assignments [SB0451 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2015-SB0451-Introduced.html

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99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2015 and 2016 SB0451 Introduced 1/28/2015, by Sen. John J. Cullerton SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
220 ILCS 5/8-304 from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 8-304
Amends the Public Utilities Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning estimated billing practices.
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A BILL FOR
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AN ACT concerning regulation.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
represented in the General Assembly:
Section 5. The Public Utilities Act is amended by changing
Section 8-304 as follows:
(220 ILCS 5/8-304) (from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 8-304)
Sec. 8-304. The The Commission shall conduct a
comprehensive study of the estimated billing practices and
policies of each major public utility providing gas or electric
service. The study shall include, but not be limited to:
(a) an analysis of the extent to which estimated billing
has occurred in each of the past 10 years and the extent to
which it currently occurs and is expected to occur in the
foreseeable future. Such analysis shall, to the fullest extent
possible, include an examination of the circumstances in which
estimated billing most frequently occurs, by time of year,
geographical location, and customer class or group. Such
analysis shall also specifically identify the frequency of
consecutively estimated bills;
(b) an analysis of the reasons for estimated billing in
general, the reasons for any change over time in the frequency
of estimated billing, and the reason for any higher than
average frequency of estimated billing during certain times of

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year, in certain geographical areas, or for particular customer
classes or groups;
(c) an analysis of the method used to establish the amount
of an estimated bill and the extent to which such method
reflects changes in usage due to weather and customer
conservation efforts;
(d) an analysis of the extent to which the method used to
establish the amount of an estimated bill accurately
approximates actual usage and the extent to which estimated
bills differ from actual usage and bills;
(e) an analysis of the extent to which the frequency of
estimated billing and any inaccuracies resulting from the
method of establishing the amount of an estimated bill,
including make-up billing, contribute to customers'
unwillingness or inability to pay utility bills and the
utility's inability to collect actual amounts due and owing;
(f) identification of any and all means currently used to
minimize the frequency of estimated bills and any inaccuracies
in estimation methods, and a critical assessment of the
adequacy and effectiveness of such means;
(g) identification of any incentives which exist and which
tend to encourage or discourage the use of estimated billing by
utilities;
(h) identification and critical assessment of all
alternative incentives and means by which the frequency of
estimated billing and the inaccuracies of estimation

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procedures can be minimized, and estimation procedures
improved, giving consideration to the cost to the utilities,
including, but not limited to,
(i) requiring the use of outside meters;
(ii) requiring utilities to read meters monthly;
(iii) requiring utilities to pay interest on the difference
between an estimated bill and the actual amount due, where the
customer pays the estimated bill, and the estimated bill
exceeds the actual amount due for such period of time.
The completed study shall be subject to hearing and
comment. Thereafter, the Commission shall initiate rulemaking
proceedings to promulgate such rules as it believes reasonable
and necessary to ensure the minimization of the frequency of
estimated billing and the increased accuracy of estimation
procedures. The study shall also be provided to the General
Assembly together with any specific recommendations for
legislation which the Commission believes necessary or
beneficial.
(Source: P.A. 84-617.)