District of ColumbiaCourt vacatur would restore the last lawfully approved utility rates
If approved and effective, the measure would make previously approved utility rates take effect automatically when the D.C. Court of Appeals vacates a rate order.
What it does
If the D.C. Court of Appeals vacates a utility rate order, its rates would stop applying and the most recently lawfully approved rates in effect before that order would take effect automatically.
Argument forCustomers could have a clear rate basis if a court ruling makes the current utility rates unenforceable.
Argument againstCustomers might still pay more if the rates restored after a court ruling are higher than the rates in the vacated order.
More detail
Rates in a vacated order would become unenforceable, and rates approved before that order would take effect automatically. This applies to utility rates set or approved by the Public Service Commission when the D.C. Court of Appeals vacates the rate order. This applies whether the court vacates the rate order on procedural, legal, or other grounds. The restored rates are not stated and are not necessarily lower than the vacated rates. The rate change would happen on the date the court vacates the order. The act would take effect only after mayoral approval or a council veto override, 30 days of congressional review, and publication in the D.C. Register.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed 1st Chamber
- Passed 2nd Chamber
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Oct 9Notice of Intent to Act on B26-0830 Published in the District of Columbia RegisterLatest
- Oct 6Referred to Committee on Transportation and the EnvironmentMinor
- Sep 28B26-0830 Introduced by Councilmember R. White at Office of the SecretaryIntroduced
Consumer ProtectionGovernment & EthicsHousing