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Committee advances bill to standardize income‑based utility payment plans
Summary
The House committee unanimously heard testimony in favor of Senate Bill 2 to standardize percentage‑of‑income payment (PIP) programs. Advocates and clients said clearer rules and outreach would help keep households connected and avoid shutoffs.
The House Energy & Environment Committee voted to move Senate Bill 2, a measure to standardize and improve access to percentage‑of‑income payment (PIP) plans for electric and gas customers, to the committee of the whole after proponent testimony.
Sponsors described the bill as a no‑cost, implementation‑focused measure to bring consistency and transparency to existing assistance programs. Representative Wolford said the bill will "bring consistency, transparency, and clearer communication to a program that already exists." Witnesses including conservation and social‑service organizations and a resident who benefited from furnace assistance testified that the PIP improvements could prevent shutoffs and improve health and housing stability for vulnerable families.
Blanca Hakez, a Denver resident, described a personal experience with LEAP and urged the committee to pass the bill so more residents can get help without unnecessary paperwork or delays. Claire Valentine of Western Resource Advocates said the bill will help eligible households enroll and stay enrolled.
The committee recorded a roll‑call vote to send SB2 to the committee of the whole; the motion passed 9–4.
What’s next: The bill moves to the committee of the whole for further consideration; sponsors said they will work with utilities on implementation details and outreach procedures to ensure the program works in rural communities and for households that lack easy access to assistance.
