CHAPTER 697

An Act to direct the State Corporation Commission to determine maximum allowable fees for disconnection and reconnection charged by certain electric utilities; disconnections for nonpayment.

[H 898]

Approved April 13, 2026

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. § 1. That in the next relevant utility proceeding for cost recovery initiated after July 1, 2026, including any biennial review conducted under § 56-585.1 or 56-585.8 of the Code of Virginia, the State Corporation Commission (the Commission) shall determine the maximum allowable amount of fees for disconnection and reconnection that such utility may charge to residential customers disconnected from service due to nonpayment of bills or fees. As part of such proceeding, the utility shall submit information related to disconnection of residential customers for nonpayment of bills or fees and the amounts charged by the utility for disconnecting or reconnecting service to such customers. Such information shall include written testimony and a cost analysis related to disconnection or reconnection fees currently being assessed to residential customers as related to disconnections for nonpayment. As part of its final order in any such proceeding, the Commission shall issue a determination of the maximum allowable fees for such utility pursuant to this act. As used in this act, "utility" means an electric company, a natural gas supplier, or a water supplier or wastewater service provider that is subject to the regulation of the Commission.