§ 35-A §3214 — Needs-based low-income assistance

1.
Policy.
In order to meet legitimate needs of electricity consumers who are unable to pay their electricity bills in full and who satisfy eligibility criteria for assistance, and recognizing that electricity is a basic necessity to which all residents of the State should have access, it is the policy of the State to ensure adequate provision of financial assistance.
2.
Low-income assistance.
In order to continue existing levels of financial assistance for low-income households and to meet future increases in need caused by economic exigencies, the commission shall:
2-A.
(TEXT EFFECTIVE UNTIL 9/30/28) (TEXT REPEALED 9/30/28) Arrearage management program.
Each investor-owned transmission and distribution utility shall implement pursuant to this subsection an arrearage management program to assist eligible low-income residential customers who are in arrears on their electricity bills. An arrearage management program implemented pursuant to this subsection is a plan under which a transmission and distribution utility works with an eligible low-income residential customer to establish an affordable payment plan and provide credit to that customer toward the customer's accumulated arrears as long as that customer remains in compliance with the terms of the program. If a consumer-owned transmission and distribution utility elects to implement an arrearage management program, it must do so in accordance with this subsection and rules adopted pursuant to this subsection. The commission shall establish requirements relating to the arrearage management programs by rule. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules pursuant to Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2‑A.
3.
Special rate.
Nothing in this section may be construed to prohibit a transmission and distribution utility from offering any special rate or program for low-income customers that is not in effect as of the effective date of this chapter, subject to the approval of the commission.
4.
Financial support.
If the Legislature appropriates from the General Fund financial support for households and individuals receiving assistance under this section, the commission may not terminate the assistance provided by transmission and distribution utilities unless the General Fund source has completely replaced such assistance. The commission may adjust the assistance provided pursuant to this section based on the amount of any financial support from the General Fund and may reinstitute assistance subsequent to any termination of assistance if the commission finds that the General Fund source no longer completely replaces such assistance.
5.
Ensuring equitable treatment for persons with certain disabilities.
If the commission establishes or approves one or more low-income assistance programs under subsection 2 or 3 that result in similarly situated persons receiving different levels of assistance depending solely upon which transmission and distribution utility service territory they reside in, the commission shall by rule establish an equitable-treatment program consistent with this subsection.
6.
Annual report.
The commission shall include in its annual report pursuant to section 120, subsection 7 a report on low-income assistance programs established or approved under subsection 2 or 3 and any equitable-treatment program established pursuant to subsection 5. The report must, at a minimum, include:

Legislative History

PL 1997, c. 316, §3 (NEW). PL 2005, c. 132, §1 (AMD). PL 2007, c. 97, §§1-3 (AMD). PL 2009, c. 122, §14 (AMD). PL 2013, c. 556, §1 (AMD). PL 2017, c. 414, §1 (AMD). PL 2019, c. 608, §1 (AMD). PL 2021, c. 101, §1 (AMD). PL 2023, c. 201, §§1, 2 (AMD). PL 2023, c. 230, §2 (AMD). PL 2023, c. 306, §§2, 3 (AMD). PL 2023, c. 361, §§3-5 (AMD). PL 2023, c. 534, §§1-3 (AMD). PL 2025, c. 110, §§4, 5 (AMD).