Prohibits more than one customer charge per residential address per year

HB 1178 prevents utility companies from charging residential customers more than one annual "customer charge" per address, regardless of how many meters are on the property. This directly affects homeowners or renters in multi-unit properties (like duplexes or apartments with separate meters) who might otherwise face multiple yearly fees. The bill allows one charge per address annually, with an exception for the first 12 months after installing a new meter. It aims to simplify billing and prevent repeated charges for basic service costs like metering or billing. The bill is currently pending in the Utilities committee after being introduced in February 2025.