{"AmendmentNumber":"71","ParentBillNumber":"H5151","Bill":null,"Sponsor":{"Id":"MSC1","Name":"Michael S. Chaisson","Type":1,"Details":"https://malegislature.gov/api/GeneralCourts/194/LegislativeMembers/MSC1","ResponseDate":"2026-02-25T11:40:52.17"},"Category":null,"Action":"Consolidated","RollCall":[],"Title":"Remove public benefit charges from bills for residential gas services","Branch":"House","RedraftNumber":null,"IsFurther":false,"GeneralCourtNumber":194,"Text":"Mr. Chaisson of Foxborough moves to amend the bill by adding the following section:\r\n\r\n“SECTION XXX. Chapter 164 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by inserting after Section 151 the following new section:\r\nSection 152 (a) Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, no gas distribution company shall assess or collect any public benefit charge on bills issued for gas service. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the assessment of public benefit charges on bills issued for electric service, subject to applicable law and regulation.\r\n(b) For the purposes of this section, “public benefit charge” shall mean any charge, surcharge, assessment, or fee imposed on residential or commercial customers for the purpose of funding energy efficiency programs, renewable or clean energy programs, greenhouse gas reduction initiatives, clean energy workforce programs, or other public purpose energy programs, including but not limited to charges supporting the Mass Save program and related initiatives.\r\n(c) The department of public utilities shall revise or approve tariffs, rate schedules, and billing practices as necessary to implement this section.\r\n(d) Nothing in this section shall be construed to require the termination of any energy efficiency, clean energy, or greenhouse gas reduction program authorized under chapter 25; provided, however, that such programs shall be funded in a manner consistent with the prohibition established under this section.\r\n"}