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6/8/2026
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Assembly approves Deputy Speaker Hull, Leader Ciccone bill requiring utilities to maintain customer service facilities in state
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STATE HOUSE – The General Assembly today passed legislation (2026-H 7332, 2026-S 2429) sponsored by Deputy Speaker Raymond A. Hull and Senate Majority Leader Frank A. Ciccone III that 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.
“Attempts to lower costs and increase profits for utility companies should never take precedence over the needs of the customers, or the services they provide to those customers. We must make sure that Rhode Island customers who buy services from these utilities are properly and adequately served. And unless there is a service center conveniently located within Rhode Island to handle the concerns and needs of the customers, I don’t think they are being well served,” said Deputy Speaker Hull (D-Dist. 6, Providence, North Providence).
“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 governor for consideration.
For more information, contact:
Andrew Caruolo, Publicist
State House Room 20
Providence, RI 02903
(401)222-6124
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