Municipalities could arrange group electricity purchases for residents and businesses

Municipalities could arrange group electricity service for their communities. Municipalities could act alone or join with others in the same county. Sponsors and contractors serving within the program area would not need an electricity supplier license. They would follow applicable supplier rules and report on customers served, but would not need to report their financial condition for licensing. Programs would pay the annual supplier fee. The legislation would take effect 60 days after becoming law.

Programs could enroll eligible customers unless they choose to keep their utility's regular electricity supply. Automatic enrollment would cover eligible households and small businesses using their utility's regular supply, except identified low-income customers. Customers would receive notice and at least 15 days to decide. Customers enrolled in utility plans they must select or apply for, or who chose to keep their information private, would be excluded. Enrolled customers could leave at any time without a fee or penalty.

Low-income customers would need to choose to join and would receive a price guarantee once their eligibility is established. This covers people with verified household income below 150% of the federal poverty level, including people enrolled in federal home-energy assistance or crisis programs. Enrollment materials would explain eligibility for utility bill assistance and encourage customers to apply. The utility or customer would need to establish low-income eligibility for the price guarantee. The price comparison would use the stated June 1–May 30 fiscal year.

Municipalities meeting the size threshold would have to spread customer transfers over four years. This rule would cover electricity distribution companies and cooperative electric utilities. The threshold would apply when municipalities seeking programs in the same utility territory have a combined population exceeding 15% of that utility's customer base. The threshold would count municipalities seeking programs during one June 1–May 30 period.