Overview
- HB1002 has cleared both chambers, with the Senate’s unanimous approval following earlier House passage.
- The measure defaults eligible residential customers to budget-billing starting July 1, with an opt-out option.
- Utilities would face new performance-based ratemaking that ties earnings to metrics like affordability and outage restoration, alongside mandatory three-year rate plans.
- Senators rejected 12 Democratic amendments the previous day after sponsor Eric Koch warned they could trigger a recommit that would miss deadlines and kill the bill.
- Democrat Fady Qaddoura backed final passage but said the package lacks a savings estimate and does not go as far as additional consumer relief proposals that failed.