Commission to promote affordable service and consider customers' ability to pay rates requirement

This bill amends Minnesota utility rate laws to prioritize affordability for customers. It requires the Public Utilities Commission to explicitly promote "affordable service for all Minnesotans" when setting rates and to consider "customers' ability to pay" when determining fair utility returns. The changes apply to all utility rate decisions under Minnesota Statutes sections 216B.03 and 216B.16. The policy directly affects Minnesota households and businesses that pay utility bills, particularly low-income or vulnerable customers. The key mechanism is embedding affordability as a mandatory factor in the commission's rate-setting process.