1. (1) As used in this section:

   1. (a) "Division" means the Division of Public Utilities established in Section 54-4a-1.
   2. (b) "Eligible customer" means the same as that term is defined in Section 54-7-13.6.
   3. (c) "Existing credit" refers to bill payment assistance provided under Section 54-7-13.6.
   4. (d) "Large-scale utility" means a large-scale electric utility or a large-scale natural gas utility.
   5. (e) "Program" means the Utility Bill Assistance Program created in this section.

2. (2)

   1. (a) There is created in the Department of Commerce the Utility Bill Assistance Program that shall be administered by the division.
   2. (b) The purpose of the program is to provide credits to eligible customers to use against utility service balances.
3. (3) A large-scale utility may request approval for a tariff that authorizes the large-scale utility to provide credits to eligible customers from funds available to the program.

4. (4) The commission shall approve a large-scale utility's tariff request described in Subsection (3) if:

   1. (a) the commission finds the tariff to be in the public interest; and
   2. (b) the tariff does not result in increased costs to the large-scale utility's customers.
5. (5) The division shall allocate available funds in accordance with a commission-approved tariff of a large-scale utility.
6. (6) A large-scale utility that receives an allocation under Subsection (5) shall provide credits from funds received under this program to eligible customers to use against utility service balances.

7. (7)

   1. (a) A credit provided under the program shall be in addition to any existing credit the eligible customer receives.
   2. (b) If a large-scale utility provides an existing credit on a monthly basis, the large-scale utility shall only provide a credit under this section if the eligible customer has a utility service balance after application of an existing credit.

8. (8) A large-scale utility with an approved tariff under Subsection (4) shall report to the commission semi-annually concerning:

   1. (a) amounts expended since the program's inception or the previous report;
   2. (b) amounts remaining to fund credits; and
   3. (c) verification of customer eligibility.
9. (9) The division shall report to the Public Utilities, Energy, and Technology Interim Committee concerning the status of the program before November 30 of each year for which credits are provided.
10. (10) The commission and the division may review records in the possession of a large-scale utility concerning the credits provided in accordance with this section.
11. (11) The division may administer the program as long as funds appropriated for the program remain.

Enacted by Chapter 23, 2023 General Session