2002 House Bill 6128 / Public Act 634

Introduced in the House

May 23, 2002

Introduced by Rep. Mike Kowall (R-44)

To authorize alternative natural gas sellers who would be allowed to provide gas at prices not subject to state price controls, and provide penalties of up to $70,000 per day for “slamming” or “cramming” by a natural gas provider, which are the practices of switching a customer’s service provider without proper authorization, or loading un-requested optional services onto a customer’s account without proper authorization.

Referred to the Committee on Energy and Technology

Dec. 4, 2002

Substitute offered

To replace the previous version of the bill with one which places the same penalties for the practice of “slamming” on alternative gas suppliers as apply to other utilities.

The substitute passed by voice vote

Passed in the House 104 to 0 (details)

To authorize alternative natural gas sellers who would be allowed to provide gas at prices not subject to state price controls, subject to the same penalties as other gas providers for “slamming” or “cramming,” which are the practices of switching a customer’s service provider without proper authorization, or loading un-requested optional services onto a customer’s account without proper authorization.

Received in the Senate

Dec. 5, 2002

Dec. 10, 2002

Amendment offered

Establish that the code of conduct the Public Service Commission is required to establish for all electric utilities would not take effect until April 1, 2004. The code of conduct would prohibit cross-subsidization, information sharing, and preferential treatment between a utility's regulated and unregulated services.

The amendment passed by voice vote

Dec. 11, 2002

Amendment offered by Sen. Dianne Byrum (D-25)

To remove an amendment added by the committee of the whole to establish that a code of conduct to be promulgated for electric utilities not take effect until April 1, 2004.

The amendment passed by voice vote

Passed in the Senate 34 to 0 (details)

To authorize alternative natural gas sellers who would be allowed to provide gas at prices not subject to state price controls, subject to the same penalties as other gas providers for “slamming” or “cramming,” which are the practices of switching a customer’s service provider without proper authorization, or loading un-requested optional services onto a customer’s account without proper authorization.

Signed by Gov. John Engler

Dec. 22, 2002