SB340 Alabama 2025 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Kirk HatcherSenator

Democrat

Session

2025 Regular Session

Title

Utilities; prohibitions on the disconnection of utility services under certain conditions, provided

Summary

SB340 would prevent utility disconnections for nonpayment under certain extreme conditions and when vulnerable households are involved, and it creates civil remedies for violations.

What This Bill Does

The bill prevents electric or gas utilities from disconnecting service for nonpayment if the household is considered protected (due to extreme weather, a state of emergency, medical hardship, or presence of young children or elderly or service members/veterans). It requires reestablishment of service and waives reconnection and late fees if a prohibited disconnection occurs. It authorizes civil damages up to $1,000 per violation plus actual costs and attorney fees, and allows injunctive relief. Utilities must publish disconnection policies, provide notice options, and the Public Service Commission will maintain a complaints database about these violations.

Who It Affects

• Protected residential customers in Alabama (including households with a child under 12, an elderly person 65 or older, or active military personnel or veterans) who would be shielded from disconnection during extreme weather, a declared state of emergency, or medical hardship.
• Tenants and other residential customers where disconnection would result from a landlord’s failure to pay, particularly when arrearages are under $100, who are covered under the bill’s protections.

Key Provisions

• Defines protected circumstances where disconnection is prohibited: extreme weather (forecasted heat index of 97+ or forecasted temperature at or below 32 F within 48 hours of scheduled disconnection), a declared state of emergency related to weather or public health, medical hardship certified by a physician, or presence of a child under 12 or an elderly person 65+ or older or active service members/veterans.
• Requires utilities to reestablish service and waive reconnection and late fees if disconnection occurs under protected circumstances.
• Allows civil damages up to $1,000 per violation plus actual costs, reasonable attorney fees, and court costs; permits injunctive relief to stop unlawful disconnections.
• Requires utilities to publish disconnection policies on their website and provide printed copies on request; mandates notice options for nonpayment and impending disconnection.
• Disconnection notices must be given at least 10 days before disconnection using at least two approved methods (e.g., mail, email, phone, text, door hanger).
• Medical hardship certification from a licensed physician is required to claim protection and must be renewed every 12 months unless the condition is permanent.
• The Alabama Public Service Commission must maintain a publicly accessible complaints database about violations related to disconnections in the past 10 years.
• The act becomes effective on October 1, 2025.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Telecommunications & Utilities