Current Status Introducing Body:House Bill Number:3455 Primary Sponsor:Rudnick Committee Number:26 Type of Legislation:GB Subject:Public utilities, service disconnection Residing Body:House Current Committee:Labor, Commerce and Industry Computer Document Number:3455 Introduced Date:Feb 07, 1991 Last History Body:House Last History Date:Feb 07, 1991 Last History Type:Introduced, read first time, referred to Committee Scope of Legislation:Statewide All Sponsors:Rudnick Type of Legislation:General Bill
Bill Body Date Action Description CMN
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3455 House Feb 07, 1991 Introduced, read first time, 26
referred to Committee
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TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 58-1-35 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT IF A PUBLIC UTILITY OPERATING IN THIS STATE DESIRES TO DISCONNECT THE ELECTRICITY, TELEPHONE, GAS, WATER, OR OTHER SERVICE PROVIDED A CUSTOMER WHILE THAT UTILITY HAS A PROPOSED RATE INCREASE IN EFFECT UNDER BOND, THE CUSTOMER MUST RECEIVE CERTAIN NOTIFICATION BEFORE THE UTILITY DISCONNECTS THE SERVICE, AND TO PROVIDE THAT UPON THIS DISCONNECTION AND UPON THE CUSTOMER'S REQUEST TO BE REINSTATED, NO RECONNECTION FEE MAY BE CHARGED BY THE UTILITY AS LONG AS IT HAS A PROPOSED RATE INCREASE IN EFFECT UNDER BOND.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. The 1976 Code is amended by adding:
"Section 58-1-35. If a public utility operating in this State desires to disconnect the electricity, telephone, gas, water, or other service provided a customer while that utility has a proposed rate increase in effect under bond, the customer must be notified by certified mail at his last known address of the utility's intention to disconnect service at least ten days before the utility disconnects the service. Upon this disconnection and upon the customer's request to be reinstated, no reconnection fee may be charged by the utility as long as it has a proposed rate increase in effect under bond."
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.