House Study Bill 515 - Introduced SENATE/HOUSE FILE _____ BY (PROPOSED UTILITIES COMMISSION BILL) A BILL FOR An Act relating to utility disconnections of gas and 1 electricity services during severe weather. 2 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA: 3 TLSB 5520DP (1) 91 sb/js
S.F. _____ H.F. _____ Section 1. Section 476.20, subsection 3, Code 2026, is 1 amended by adding the following new paragraph: 2 NEW PARAGRAPH . d. The rules adopted by the commission shall 3 provide that a public utility furnishing gas or electricity 4 shall not disconnect service to a residence in the event of 5 severe cold weather or severe hot weather, as defined by such 6 rules. 7 EXPLANATION 8 The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with 9 the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly. 10 This bill relates to utility disconnections of gas and 11 electricity services during severe weather. 12 The bill adds a requirement for the Iowa utilities 13 commission (commission) to adopt rules that prohibit the 14 disconnection of gas or electric service to a residence during 15 periods of severe cold weather or severe hot weather, as 16 defined by such rules. The commission currently has rules to 17 prohibit the disconnection of gas or electric service under 18 certain conditions relating to severe cold weather. 19 -1- LSB 5520DP (1) 91 sb/js 1/ 1