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HF 3529

as introduced - 85th Legislature (2007 - 2008) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

KEY: stricken = removed, old language.
underscored = added, new language.

Current Version - as introduced

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A bill for an act
relating to energy; providing cold weather protection for certain delivered fuel
residential heating customers; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota
Statutes, chapter 216B.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

new text begin [216B.099] COLD WEATHER PROTECTION FOR CONSUMERS OF
DELIVERED FUELS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

new text begin For the purposes of this section:
new text end

new text begin (1) "customer" means a residential customer with a household income at or below 50
percent of the statewide median income who is heating a residence with heating fuels;
new text end

new text begin (2) "heating fuels" means (i) liquid propane gas, (ii) number one fuel oil, and (iii)
number two fuel oil;
new text end

new text begin (3) "vendor" means a dealer or distributor of heating fuels; and
new text end

new text begin (4) "cold weather period" means the period from October 15 through April 15.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Cold weather protection. new text end

new text begin (a) During the cold weather period, each vendor
shall offer a monthly payment agreement for customers unable to pay for the full cost of
delivery for heating fuels. Any past-due bills prior to October 15 must be included in a
payment agreement. A vendor may not require a customer to pay more than ten percent
of the customer's monthly income. Payment agreements must consider the customer's
financial circumstances.
new text end

new text begin (b) During the cold weather period, a vendor shall continue to deliver to customers
who are current on a payment agreement. A customer is considered current unless the
customer fails to pay two consecutive monthly payments under the agreement. A vendor
making delivery to a customer with a current payment agreement may not charge the
customer any additional costs or fees that would not be charged to any other customer
and must make available to that customer any discount program on the same basis as the
vendor makes available to any other customer.
new text end