Smith supports amendments to cut Hoosiers’ utility bills
Today, House Democrats offered an array of amendments to give Hoosiers financial relief and expand protections for their utility services. The legislation aims to create a levelized billing plan for utility consumers. This year, the Indiana House Democratic Caucus’ agenda is focused on affordability. While House Bill 1002 is a step in the right direction in lowering costs, it is not enough to provide long-lasting relief. Further, members of the House Democratic Caucus offered over a dozen amendments to improve the bill, none of which were adopted by the Republican supermajority.
State Rep. Vernon G. Smith (D-Gary) issued the following statement upon the supermajority rejecting all 13 amendments offered by House Democrats:
“By the year 2028, we will have a $5 billion surplus. It will not hurt the state to give some relief to the average citizen. Hoosiers struggling to afford their utility bills deserve the same privilege as major corporations. I am simply astounded that Republicans refused to remove the 7% sales tax on residential utility bills. What is the point of having a surplus if we aren’t going to use it to help our people get by?
“Another amendment rejected would have helped notify seniors about payment assistance programs. The Republican argument against this amendment was that seniors can have a young family member help them navigate assistance programs online. Unfortunately, not everyone is blessed with young people in their families that can assist with this. This amendment would have been an easy way to help more people get financial relief, and the Republican supermajority blocked it.
“My constituents are reaching out for help. They need relief, and they need relief now. The amendments offered by my colleagues today would have helped all Hoosiers, from our most vulnerable to the average working family just trying to make ends meet. I am glad that we are having the discussion about the importance of lowering utility bills. However, I am gravely disappointed that so many good ideas were rejected today.”
See below for the list of amendments and descriptions:
Amendment #4 would have allowed for community energy facilities to generate or store energy from alternative, cheaper sources such as solar, wind or battery power to lower costs for all customers in the community.
Amendment #5 protects vulnerable Hoosiers by requiring utility companies to implement a program that would prohibit disconnections for individuals who have a medical condition where they rely on life support devices like respirators, ventilators, dialysis machines, refrigerated medications or other medical treatment.
Amendment #6 would have required utility companies to include information about payment assistance programs in the monthly bills of senior customers.
Amendment #7 would have held utilities accountable for reliable service by requiring they reimburse customers for any financial losses suffered as the result of an outage, including spoiled food.
Amendment #8 would have added oversight by requiring public utilities to get approval from the Utility Regulatory Commission before making certain profit enhancing moves such as selling stock, entering certain contracts, reorganizing or acquiring another utility.
Amendment #10: would have suspended the 7% sales tax on residential utility bills and prohibited the IURC from issuing future sales tax breaks for data centers and quantum computing facilities.
Amendment 11: Prohibits utilities from recovering the cost of lobbying and political activities through ratepayer bills. This amendment was blocked on procedural grounds instead of outright rejected.
Amendment #13 would have required utility companies to hold three public hearings in the communities affected by a proposed rate hike.
Amendment #14 would have prohibited companies from disconnecting any resident for missing payments during the coldest months of the year. Currently, only residents who qualify for the energy assistance program are protected from disconnections during the coldest months. This amendment would have ensured that all Hoosiers are protected from disconnections in dangerous weather.
Amendment #15 would have eliminated the sales tax on residential utility bills as commercial utility bills are granted.
Amendment #16 would have prohibited the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) from approving a rate increase above 3% of the average monthly bill.
Amendment #19 would have established a 2-year moratorium on fixed rates and charges - effective June 30, 2026, to July 1, 2028.