2026 SESSION

ENGROSSED

26103219D

HOUSE BILL NO. 242

House Amendments in [ ] - January 27, 2026

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 56-247.2, relating to public utilities; multiple budget plan payment increases within 12 months prohibited; notice required.

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Patron Prior to Engrossment—Delegate Cole, J.G.

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Referred to Committee on Labor and Commerce

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Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 56-247.2 as follows:

§ 56-247.2. Budget plan payment increase; notice required.

A. As used in this section, "budget plan" means a fixed billing option offered by a public utility to a customer whereby the total service for the succeeding 12-month period is estimated in advance and bills are rendered monthly on the basis of one-twelfth of the 12-month estimate.

B. No public utility shall, for any residential customer who is enrolled in a budget plan [ or similar billing option ] , increase the amount of such customer's monthly payment more than once within any 12-month period or without notifying the customer in writing at least [ 30 60  ] days before such increase takes effect.