House passes Matzie bills to keep important protections in place for consumers, workers
Includes measures to reauthorize utility shutoff protections, PA One Call
Rep. Robert Matzie October 2, 2024 | 2:34 PM
HARRISBURG, Oct. 2 – The Pennsylvania House today passed two bills by state Rep. Rob Matzie that would reauthorize soon-to-expire laws protecting utility customers and safeguarding workers and underground utilities from excavation damage.
Matzie’s H.B. 1077 would reauthorize Chapter 14 utility shutoff protections.
“Our laws need to reflect people’s real-world needs, especially when they involve essential services,” said Matzie, who is majority chairman of the House Consumer Protection, Technology and Utilities Committee. “Our utility shutoff law does this by providing customers with a range of payment plans, but the law is set to expire by the end of the year. My bill would reauthorize the law and strengthen it, so it provides more options to help folks keep the power on.”
The House also passed Matzie’s H.B. 2189, which would reauthorize the soon-to-expire PA One Call law that safeguards workers and prevents major damage to underground utility lines.
“PA One Call – which requires anyone planning to do any digging to call 8-1-1 beforehand – has been keeping workers safe and preventing damage to underground lines for 50 years,” Matzie said. “The law is about to expire in a few short months, and we can’t afford to let these critical protections lapse. I was glad to see a strong, bipartisan majority pass my bill, and hope we can get this legislation across the finish line soon.”
Both bills now head to the state Senate for consideration.