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Panel adopts amendment and advances bill to limit budget‑billing increases to once per year
Summary
The subcommittee adopted a line amendment to HB242 and reported the bill 8‑1. The measure would prohibit utilities from increasing a residential budget‑billing monthly payment more than once in a 12‑month period and defines budget plans for consistency across utilities.
The subcommittee adopted a line amendment to HB242 and reported the bill with its amendment by a recorded vote of 8 to 1.
Delegate Cole, sponsor of the measure, said the amendment removes language on "other billing options" and a 30‑day notice requirement to clean up the statutory text. Under the amended bill, a residential customer enrolled in a budget billing or similar program may not have the monthly payment increased more than once within a 12‑month period, and the bill defines "budget plan" in statute.
Consumer advocates, including the Virginia Poverty Law Center, supported the bill as a way to reduce confusion for customers. Utilities such as Virginia Natural Gas and Dominion said they support the concept but asked for continued conversations about implementation and seasonal usage that can affect natural gas bills. The subcommittee reported the line‑amended bill favorably and will advance it for further work.
