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6/4/2026
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Senate passes Leader Ciccone’s bills that will protect utility consumers
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STATE HOUSE – The Senate today passed three bills sponsored by Majority Leader Frank A. Ciccone III that would protect and offer billing transparency to utility consumers in Rhode Island.
The first bill (2026-S 2074A) would make electrical bills easier to understand by requiring that they provide a visual illustration clearly showing all the components of the total bill and their individual costs.
“All Rhode Islanders should know what they are paying for when they pay for electricity each month,” said Leader Ciccone (D-Dist. 7, Providence, Johnston). “Displaying a clear visual breakdown of the bill will go a long way toward providing this clarity for consumers. The bills may be complex but reading them doesn’t have to be.”
The legislation now heads to the House for consideration, where Rep. Enrique George Sanchez (D-Dist. 9, Providence) has introduced the bill (2026-H 7885).
The second bill (2026-S 2429) would require all public utilities to maintain a customer service facility within the state to perform services such as addressing customer inquiries and accepting bill payments.
“We still live in a world where not everyone has the ability or desire to pay their utility bills online or by the mail, and customers with questions relating to their utilities may be better serviced face-to-face rather than over the phone. This bill gives consumers the service options that they might need or desire and it will be beneficial to those who prefer in-person service,” said Leader Ciccone.
The legislation now heads to the House for consideration, where Rep. Raymond A. Hull (D-Dist. 6, Providence, North Providence) has introduced the bill (2026-H 7332) which passed the House last month.
The final bill (2026-S 3125A) would require every gas distribution company that charges for the distribution of gas to any house or building to include certain information on any bill or statement provided to the consumer. Such information would include the total number of therms consumed; the total cost of distributing gas to the customer; the customer charge; conservation costs; all applicable credits; charges that support low-income gas customers; applicable taxes; and all other costs, charges, or fees added to the bill or statement.
“Every single year, gas bills become more complex and harder to understand. This legislation will require clear and concise information that consumers need to comprehend why their gas bill costs what it does and how the total bill cost is calculated. Consumers deserve this information, especially now when every penny counts to so many household budgets,” said Leader Ciccone.
The bill now heads to the House for consideration.
For more information, contact:
Andrew Caruolo, Publicist
State House Room 20
Providence, RI 02903
(401)222-6124
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