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PUC says Chapter 14 protections remain in place while legislature weighs reauthorization; medical‑certificate timing under review
Summary
The PUC told lawmakers it kept existing Chapter 14 customer‑protection rules on the books while the legislature considers reauthorization, and commissioners said the medical‑certificate process and allowable certifiers are topics for legislative adjustment to reduce hardship during the winter months.
The Public Utility Commission told the House Appropriations Committee that it has maintained the existing Chapter 14 protections for utility customers while the General Assembly continues to consider reauthorization or changes to the law.
Commissioners said the PUC issued an order holding the current protections in place after the legislature adjourned without final action. Commissioner Katie Zervas told the committee that "nothing has changed; administratively that table is set as is while the general assembly reconsiders reauthorization." Lawmakers pressed the PUC about the medical certificate process that prevents termination for customers with certain medical needs and asked whether nurse practitioners or other professionals should be allowed to sign such certificates to address access problems.
Why this matters: Chapter 14 governs termination protections, payment arrangements and medical‑certificate processes. Committee members said the current requirement that certain medical professionals sign certificates can leave vulnerable households exposed if the relevant clinician is unavailable; the house and senate versions differ on the scope of who may issue a certificate and on the time period for protection.
What the PUC said and next steps: The commission said it prefers broader authority in law to expand eligible certifiers and to extend timeframes to reduce interruptions for households that cannot readily access a physician appointment. PUC staff noted that payment arrangements and arrearage management are core tools to keep customers safe and pay while maintaining service. The PUC asked the legislature to weigh adjustments to the medical‑certificate rules and indicated it will continue to brief the committee as bills move.
