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Minutes for HB2149 - Committee on Utilities
Short Title
Substitute for HB 2149 by Committee on Energy, Utilities and Telecommunications – Requiring distributed energy retailers to disclose certain information to residential customers who are offered or seeking to install a distributed energy system, requiring the attorney general to convene an advisory group to develop, approve and periodically revise a standard form for such disclosures and requiring publication thereof, establishing requirements for interconnection and operation of distributed energy systems, increasing the total capacity limitation for an electric public utility's provision of parallel generation service and a formula to determine appropriate system size.
Minutes Content for Mon, Mar 17, 2025
The Chair opened the hearing on HB 2149.
Nick Myers, Assistant Revisor, Office of Revisor of Statutes, provided an overview of the bill (Attachment 1).
Representative Leo Delperdang gave an overview on the development of the bill over the last year.
Jessica Lucas testified in support of the bill (Attachment 2). Ms. Lucas stated that the members in their industry also wanted to address the issues consumers have had who have wanted to access solar with reputable businesses even knowing that this would require more regulations for them. She noted that the House passed the bill 123 - 0.
Jason Nisly testified in support of the bill (Attachment 3). Mr. Nisley stated that the goals of the bill are to created a baseline consistent for all utilities across the state, give the industry certainty on how distributed generational energy will be handled moving forward, and will provide clarity moving forward.
Reagan McCloud testified in support of the bill (Attachment 4). Mr. McCloud said this bill accomplished a big part of their goal, which was balancing the interests of all of their members and will provide the consumer protection on the front end.
Kimberly Gencur Svaty testified in support of the bill (Attachment 5). Ms. Gencur Svaty said this bill was a good end product that will protect the utilities and the utility customers but also open up a market for the solar companies and provide a very strong consumer protection layer.
Paul Snider testified in support of the bill (Attachment 6). Mr. Snider said this bill does a lot of good things, and that he was a strong supporter. However, he was not in favor of the provision that was added late in the process, which stated that the utility did not have to offer parallel generation to an individual customer that connects at a system size of 34 KV or above. He said he could accept the bill if this provision, which was scheduled to sunset in one year, was not changed.
Laura Lutz testified in support of the bill (Attachment 7). Ms. Lutz said Evergy was involved in the very productive conversations with the proponents and especially appreciated the section on customer protection and customer disclosures.
Mike Morley, Director of Government Affairs, Midwest Energy, provided written testimony in support of the bill (Attachment 8).
The Chair closed the hearing on HB 2149.
The Chair opened final action on HB 2149.
After discussion, Senator Francisco recommended four technical amendments to the bill.
Senator Francisco made a motion to accept the amendments as presented, seconded by Senator Clifford. The motion carried.
Senator Peterson made a motion to pass HB 2149 favorably as amended; seconded by Senator Clifford. The motion carried.
The meeting adjourned at 2:30 P.M.
