Utility On-Bill Repayment Program Financing

The title was revised to add language about making an appropriation and to clarify the focus on certain energy-related improvements.

A section defining the utility on-bill program was removed from the bill text.

New language was added to clarify that the program covers energy efficiency measures, electrification measures, and energy upgrades installed at customer premises.

Reordered and restructured the legislative findings section to present the rationale for on-bill programs more clearly, moving utility benefits before customer benefits.

Reorganized the definitions section to improve readability and logical flow, though the actual definitions of terms like 'electrification' and 'energy efficiency measure' remain unchanged.

Added the Appropriations committee to the Senate committee list, indicating a procedural change in which committee will review the bill.

The legislative purpose was changed from highlighting utility benefits (reduced energy consumption and peak demand) to emphasizing customer benefits (access to capital for low-cost financing solutions).

New definitions were added for 'energy upgrade' covering electric panel upgrades and energy storage installations, and 'on-bill cash fund' referencing the funding source.

The definition of 'energy efficiency measure' was expanded to include building shell measures (air sealing, insulation, window modifications) and automatic or internet-connected energy control systems.

The definition of 'energy efficiency measure' was modified to remove language about aligning with greenhouse gas reduction targets, replacing it with language about reducing or shifting energy consumption.

The definition of 'electrification' was expanded to include ground-source or air-source heat pump systems and heat pump water heaters.

Added three new co-sponsors (Bacon, Brown, Lindsay, Willford) to the House sponsorship list.

Updated bill summary to reflect 3rd Reading Unamended status dated April 23, 2025.

Removed text defining requirements for upgrading electrical equipment to enable energy storage installation and other utility-approved energy upgrades.

Removed the $1 billion financing limit over five years from the legislative declaration, allowing for more flexible program funding.

Changed the program title from 'Utility On-Bill Repayment Program' to 'Utility On-Bill Program' and updated related definitions to align with the new title.

Added new definition for 'Commission' (Public Utilities Commission) and updated 'Cooperative Electric Association' definition to reference the correct statutory section.

Modified the definition of 'Utility' to remove specific utility types (investor-owned, cooperative, municipally owned) and instead reference the general definition in existing law.

Changed the description of repayment obligations to clarify that repayment remains with the meter and service address rather than transferring to a customer's new location.

Updated committee assignments from Energy & Environment to Finance and Appropriations, and changed bill status from Introduced to Engrossed.