SF 233 (LSB 1177XS (2) 88)

SENATE FILE 233

BY  ZAUN

(COMPANION TO HF 154 BY SHIPLEY)

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to customer choice regarding the installation of certain public utility meters.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 476.6, Code 2019, is amended by adding the following new subsection:
   NEW SUBSECTION.  22.  Public utility meters —— customer choice.
   a.  (1)  A public utility shall not install a digital meter or smart meter at a customer’s residence or place of business on or after July 1, 2019, without first providing the customer with educational information regarding the full scope of the digital meter or smart meter’s functioning and effects, including but not limited to health and safety warnings, and the opportunity to consent to the installation or refuse such consent by electing to keep or receive an electromechanical analog meter instead of the digital meter or smart meter. 
   (2)  A public utility shall offer to replace a digital meter or smart meter with an electromechanical analog meter free of charge and at any time upon a customer’s request.
   (3)  A public utility shall not offer to provide or provide discounted rates to customers in exchange for obtaining the customer’s consent to install a digital meter or smart meter, and shall not charge a fee, assessment, or higher rate to any customer choosing not to consent to the installation of a digital meter or smart meter, or requesting the replacement of a digital meter or smart meter with an electromechanical analog meter.
   (4)  The board shall adopt rules to implement this subsection.
   b.  For purposes of this subsection:
   (1)  “Digital meter” means a public utility meter which uses electronic components and produces conducted emissions.
   (2)  “Electromechanical analog meter” means a public utility meter which is purely electric and mechanical, uses no electronic components, has no radio frequency or conducted emissions, and is not upgraded to function as a digital meter or smart meter.
   (3)  “Smart meter” means an advanced metering infrastructure device which uses radio or other wireless means for two-way communication between the device and a public utility, an advanced meter reading device using radio or other wireless means for one-way communication between the device and a public utility, or any public utility meter that emits wireless radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation or requires a direct current to operate.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This bill relates to customer choice regarding the installation of certain public utility meters.
   The bill defines “digital meter” to mean a public utility meter which uses electronic components and produces conducted emissions. “Electromechanical analog meter” is defined as a public utility meter which is purely electric and mechanical, uses no electronic components, has no radio frequency or conducted emissions, and is not upgraded to function as a digital meter or smart meter. “Smart meter” is defined as a device which uses radio or other wireless means for two-way or one-way communication between the device and a public utility, or any public utility meter that emits wireless radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation or requires a direct current to operate.
   The bill provides that a public utility shall not install a digital meter or smart meter at a customer’s residence or place of business on or after July 1, 2019, without first providing the customer with educational information regarding the full scope of the meter’s functioning and effects, including health and safety warnings, and the opportunity to consent to the installation or refuse such consent by electing to keep or receive an electromechanical analog meter instead of the digital meter or smart meter. A public utility shall offer to replace a digital meter or smart meter with an electromechanical analog meter free of charge and at any time upon a customer’s request. A public utility shall not offer to provide or provide discounted rates to customers in exchange for obtaining consent to install a digital meter or smart meter, and shall not charge a fee, assessment, or higher rate to any customer choosing not to consent to the installation of a digital meter or smart meter, or requesting the replacement of such meter with an electromechanical analog meter. The bill directs the Iowa utilities board to adopt rules to implement the bill’s provisions.