Overview
- The measure cleared second reading Tuesday and now moves toward a full House vote before potential Senate consideration.
- An adopted amendment bars residential disconnections when the National Weather Service expects a heat index above 95 degrees within 48 hours and imposes a Dec. 1–March 15 winter shutoff moratorium.
- The bill would automatically enroll residential customers in budget billing with the ability to opt out, and it limits how utilities can market such plans without defined relief features.
- Sponsors say the proposal introduces limited performance-based ratemaking by linking some utility financial outcomes to metrics like affordability and outage restoration while maintaining IURC oversight.
- Constituent pressure is rising, with protests planned next week at NIPSCO offices in Hammond and Merrillville and a public hearing in Indianapolis on NIPSCO billing practices next Wednesday.