Bill to Strengthen Consumer Protections Sent to Ohio Governor

COLUMBUS, OH - State Representative David Thomas (R-Jefferson) is pleased to announce that the Ohio House of Representatives concurred with Senate amendments to House Bill 173, legislation to provide consumer protections and savings regarding submetering in Ohio.

"This legislation is our response to the Ohio Supreme Court's directive," said Thomas. "The Court has now twice highlighted the need for legislative action, and this bill is the needed reform Ohioans have wanted for nearly two decades to protect consumers."

House Bill 173 establishes a statutory framework for the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) to regulate submetering service providers. Under the legislation, PUCO will be required to adopt standards governing metering, outages, billing practices, complaint resolution, record retention, and service quality, ensuring consistent oversight and consumer protections across Ohio.

The legislation also includes strong protections to ensure consumers are treated fairly, with transparency. Key provisions include:

• Caps the amount landlords may charge residential tenants for electricity, guaranteeing tenants pay at least 3% less than they would have paid their electric utility directly.
• Requires compliance with utility disconnection procedures, including notice requirements.
• Requires submetering providers to offer payment plans to customers.
• Requires acceptance of assistance through the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP).
• Establishes transparent billing requirements that clearly display usage, charges, and comparisons to applicable utility rates.
  

"H.B. 173 gives renters who are currently in a submetered property an actual savings to their bill and brings value to the submetering practice for consumers while also protecting the free market and property rights of landlords," added Thomas. "This issue has lingered over the Legislature for 15 years and we have now taken strong action to protect Ohioans."

House Bill 173 now heads to the Governor for a signature.