House Bill 3179

Digest: Tells the PUC to look at the economic impact of a proposed residential rate or schedule of rates. Allows the PUC to adjust rates to mitigate an increase. (Flesch Readability Score: 65.7). Directs the Public Utility Commission to consider the cumulative economic impact of an electric or natural gas company's proposed residential rate or schedule of rates. Requires an electric or natural gas company to file an analysis of the cumulative economic impact on the company's residential rate payers if the company's return on equity is subject to review and modification. Authorizes the commission to adjust rates to mitigate an increase in residential customer rates if the increase would affect the ability of customers to maintain adequate utility services. Prohibits any increase in residential rates from taking effect from November 1 to March 31. Directs the commission to require an electric or natural gas company to establish a multiyear rate plan for certain rate revisions. Prohibits, until January 2, 2027, or the date the commission adopts rules regarding multiyear rate plans, certain rate increases from taking effect within 18 months from the date of the last rate increase. Authorizes a public utility, upon approval by the commission, to issue bonds and securitize debt for costs and expenses incurred or to be incurred by the public utility associated with certain capital investments, retiring a generation asset, environmental remediation or an event in which the availability of electricity or natural gas within a regional energy market is significantly constrained. Requires an electric or natural gas company to provide and make public a visual representation of cost categories included in the company's residential customer rates and a report on any rate adjustments the company expects within the next 12 months. Declares an emergency, effective on passage.

In the House of Representatives

• Nathan Sosa

  Sponsor

• Pam Marsh

  Chief co-sponsor

In the Senate

• Kathleen Taylor

  Sponsor

• Janeen Sollman

  Chief co-sponsor

• House of Representatives, third reading35–8

  Passed · Jun 23 · 17 present

• Senate, third reading20–9

  Passed · Jun 24 · 1 present

• House of Representatives committee amendmentAdopted

  Adopted May 23

• House of Representatives committee amendmentAdopted

  Adopted Jun 19

l9n doesn't hold this bill's text yet.

In the House of Representatives Jan 13 – Jun 23

1. Jan 13Introduced
2. Jan 17Sent to Commerce and Consumer Protection
3. Feb 20Heard in Commerce and Consumer Protection
4. Feb 25Heard in Commerce and Consumer Protection
5. Apr 3Heard in Commerce and Consumer Protection
6. Apr 9Commerce and Consumer Protection reported it without a recommendation, and that it go to Rules
7. Sent to Rules
8. May 7Heard in Rules
9. May 19Heard in Rules
10. May 23Rules recommended it as amended, and that it go to Ways and Means
11. Sent to Ways and Means
12. Jun 7Sent to Natural Resources Subcommittee
13. Jun 11Heard in Natural Resources Subcommittee
14. Returned to Ways and Means
15. Jun 17Heard in Ways and Means
16. Jun 19Ways and Means recommended it as amended
17. Jun 20Read a second time
18. Jun 23Passed the House of Representatives, 35 to 8

In the Senate Jun 23 – Jun 24

1. Jun 23Arrived in the Senate
2. Sent to Ways and Means
3. Jun 24Ways and Means recommended it
4. Read a second time
5. Passed the Senate, 20 to 9

To the Governor Jun 26 – Aug 7

1. Jun 26Signed in the House of Representatives
2. Signed in the Senate
3. Jul 17Signed by the Governor
4. Aug 7Became chapter 503 of Oregon Laws 2025, in force from July 17, 2025