H.R. 9607House117th Congress (2021-2023)In Committee

To prohibit States, local governments, or State regulatory authorities from prohibiting a natural gas consumer from connecting or reconnecting to a gas utility for natural gas service, and for other purposes.

AI-Generated Summary

Updated February 8, 2026 at 6:52 PM UTC

The bill bars any state, local government, or state regulatory agency from refusing to let a natural‑gas customer connect or reconnect to a gas utility. It aims to ensure that consumers can obtain natural‑gas service regardless of local policies. The rule applies to all natural‑gas consumers and to the authorities that might otherwise block service.

Key Provisions

Prohibits states, local governments, and state regulatory authorities from denying a natural‑gas consumer the ability to connect or reconnect to a gas utility.
Adopts existing definitions of “state regulatory authority,” “gas utility,” and “natural‑gas consumer” from the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978.

Legislative Activity

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1 earlier action

HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Energy and Commerce Committee

December 16, 2022

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

December 16, 2022

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Energy and Commerce Committee

December 16, 2022

Bill Text

Latest available legislative text

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Introduced in HouseIssued December 16, 2022

117th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 9607

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

December 16, 2022

Mr. Jacobs of New York introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

A BILL

To prohibit States, local governments, or State regulatory authorities from prohibiting a natural gas consumer from connecting or reconnecting to a gas utility for natural gas service, and for other purposes.

Regulation of natural gas connections

(a)

In general

No State, local government, or State regulatory authority may prohibit a natural gas consumer from connecting or reconnecting to a gas utility for natural gas service.

(b)

Definitions

In this section:

(1)

The terms State regulatory authority and gas utility have the meanings given such terms in section 302 of the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (15 U.S.C. 3202).

(2)

The term natural gas consumer has the meaning given the term gas consumer in section 302 of the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (15 U.S.C. 3202).