Rhode IslandRhode Island utilities must keep customer service offices in state
Rhode Island law requires public utilities licensed to serve residents and businesses to keep a staffed in-state office for customer questions, meetings, and bill payments.
What it does
Public utilities must keep a reasonably staffed customer service operation in Rhode Island. The operation must answer questions, meet with customers, and accept bill payments.
Argument forCustomers may be able to ask questions, meet utility staff, and pay bills at an in-state service operation.
Argument againstUtilities may need to spend more to staff an in-state service operation, which could add to the cost of serving customers.
More detail
Public utilities must keep a customer service operation in Rhode Island. This applies to every public utility licensed under state law to serve Rhode Island residents and businesses. The operation must have enough staff to meet public expectations. It must answer customer questions, meet with customers, accept bill payments, and provide any other services the public utilities commission directs. The act took effect upon passage.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jun 2406/24/2026 Effective without Governor's signatureLatest
- Jun 1606/16/2026 Transmitted to GovernorTo Governor
- Jun 906/09/2026 Senate passed in concurrencePassed Senate
- Jun 506/05/2026 Placed on the Senate Consent Calendar (06/09/2026)Minor
- May 2605/26/2026 House read and passedPassed House
- Vote recorded PASSAGE. Result: pass.Lower
- May 2205/22/2026 Placed on House Calendar (05/26/2026)Minor
- May 2105/21/2026 Committee recommends passageMinor
- May 1505/15/2026 Scheduled for consideration (05/21/2026)
- Apr 704/07/2026 Committee recommended measure be held for further studyMinor
- Apr 304/03/2026 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (04/07/2026)
- Jan 2801/28/2026 Introduced, referred to House CorporationsIntroduced
Consumer Protection