BATON ROUGE, La. — Louisiana House Bill 478, authored by state Rep. Alonzo Knox, has passed both chambers of the Louisiana Legislature and now awaits action from the governor.
The measure would require utility providers to more clearly disclose customer reimbursements related to overcharges and establish timelines for repayment.
Under the legislation, utility companies regulated by the Louisiana Public Service Commission or local governmental entities would be required to reimburse customers within 90 days after an overcharge is identified. The bill also requires reimbursements to be clearly identified on customer bills and directs utilities to send payments to former customers at their last known address.
Knox said the legislation was prompted by complaints from residents facing rising utility costs and billing disputes.
“Families across Louisiana are feeling the strain of rising utility costs, and every dollar counts,” Knox said in a statement. “I listened to residents who were frustrated with inaccurate billing and overcharges that often went unresolved. This legislation helps ensure transparency, accountability, and that customers receive the money they are owed.”
The bill applies to water, gas and electric utility providers subject to oversight by the Louisiana Public Service Commission or local governing authorities.
“This is about fairness and protecting working families,” Knox said. “People deserve to know when they have been overcharged and deserve to be reimbursed clearly and promptly.”
If signed by the governor, the legislation would become law and establish new statewide standards for utility reimbursement disclosures and billing accuracy.