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90_HB3246
220 ILCS 5/8-304 from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 8-304
Amends the Public Utilities Act. Makes a technical
change in a Section concerning estimated billing practices.
LRB9009627JSpk
LRB9009627JSpk
1 AN ACT to amend the Public Utilities Act by changing
2 Section 8-304.
3 Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
4 represented in the General Assembly:
5 Section 5. The Public Utilities Act is amended by
6 changing Section 8-304 as follows:
7 (220 ILCS 5/8-304) (from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 8-304)
8 Sec. 8-304. The Commerce Commission shall conduct a
9 comprehensive study of the estimated billing practices and
10 policies of each major public utility providing gas or
11 electric service. The study shall include, but not be limited
12 to:
13 (a) an analysis of the extent to which estimated billing
14 has occurred in each of the past 10 years and the extent to
15 which it currently occurs and is expected to occur in the
16 foreseeable future. Such analysis shall, to the fullest
17 extent possible, include an examination of the circumstances
18 in which estimated billing most frequently occurs, by time of
19 year, geographical location, and customer class or group.
20 Such analysis shall also specifically identify the frequency
21 of consecutively estimated bills;
22 (b) an analysis of the reasons for estimated billing in
23 general, the reasons for any change over time in the
24 frequency of estimated billing, and the reason for any higher
25 than average frequency of estimated billing during certain
26 times of year, in certain geographical areas, or for
27 particular customer classes or groups;
28 (c) an analysis of the method used to establish the
29 amount of an estimated bill and the extent to which such
30 method reflects changes in usage due to weather and customer
31 conservation efforts;
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1 (d) an analysis of the extent to which the method used
2 to establish the amount of an estimated bill accurately
3 approximates actual usage and the extent to which estimated
4 bills differ from actual usage and bills;
5 (e) an analysis of the extent to which the frequency of
6 estimated billing and any inaccuracies resulting from the
7 method of establishing the amount of an estimated bill,
8 including make-up billing, contribute to customers'
9 unwillingness or inability to pay utility bills and the
10 utility's inability to collect actual amounts due and owing;
11 (f) identification of any and all means currently used
12 to minimize the frequency of estimated bills and any
13 inaccuracies in estimation methods, and a critical assessment
14 of the adequacy and effectiveness of such means;
15 (g) identification of any incentives which exist and
16 which tend to encourage or discourage the use of estimated
17 billing by utilities;
18 (h) identification and critical assessment of all
19 alternative incentives and means by which the frequency of
20 estimated billing and the inaccuracies of estimation
21 procedures can be minimized, and estimation procedures
22 improved, giving consideration to the cost to the utilities,
23 including, but not limited to,
24 (i) requiring the use of outside meters;
25 (ii) requiring utilities to read meters monthly;
26 (iii) requiring utilities to pay interest on the
27 difference between an estimated bill and the actual amount
28 due, where the customer pays the estimated bill, and the
29 estimated bill exceeds the actual amount due for such period
30 of time.
31 The completed study shall be subject to hearing and
32 comment. Thereafter, the Commission shall initiate rulemaking
33 proceedings to promulgate such rules as it believes
34 reasonable and necessary to ensure the minimization of the
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1 frequency of estimated billing and the increased accuracy of
2 estimation procedures. The study shall also be provided to
3 the General Assembly together with any specific
4 recommendations for legislation which the Commission believes
5 necessary or beneficial.
6 (Source: P.A. 84-617.)