WEST virginia Legislature

2017 regular session

Introduced

Senate Bill 352

By Senators Smith, Cline and Rucker

[Introduced February 20, 2017; Referred
to the Committee on Government Organization; and then to the Committee on the Judiciary]

A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §46A-6-111, relating to permitting utility consumers to use the consumer protection laws when billing issues are in question; providing the Attorney General with the power to inquire about a billing issue; providing that the remedy is in addition to other remedies available from the West Virginia Public Service Commission; and providing that the powers and responsibilities of the commission are not affected.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, be amended by adding thereto a new section, designated §46A-6-111, to read as follows:

ARTICLE 6. GENERAL CONSUMER PROTECTION.

§46A-6-111. Utility consumers; Attorney General power; other rights unaffected.

In addition to all other powers conferred upon the Attorney General of West Virginia, upon request of a utility consumer, he or she may use the consumer protection provisions of this chapter to inquire about billing issues which a consumer has with that utility. This provision does not affect the consumer's right to file a similar request with the West Virginia Public Service Commission and does not abrogate in any respect the power and responsibilities of the commission.

NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to permit utility consumers to use the consumer protection laws when billing issues are in question. The bill provides the Attorney General with the power to inquire about a billing issue. The bill provides that the remedy is in addition to other remedies available from the West Virginia Public Service Commission. The bill provides that the powers and responsibilities of the commission are not affected.

Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from a heading or the present law and underscoring indicates new language that would be added.