Environment
No direct effect
Neutral — no direct effect identified.
Benefits
- No material direct effect identified.
Risks
- No material direct effect identified.
StateMichiganIntroduced
SB 768: Energy: other; utility filing a rate case earlier than 3 years after the utility’s last rate case: prohibit. Amends sec. 6a of 1939 PA 3 (MCL 460.6a).
Kevin Hertel
SB 768 status: Introduced — SENATE CO-SPONSOR(S) NAMED: VERONICA KLINEFELT (updated Sep 10, 2026).
Source
OpenStates
Confidence
Low
Analysis basis
OpenStates summary
01
What this bill does
Official summary alongside an AI-generated read on where it stands and why.
Overall Score
60OUT OF 100
Score:60/100 civic fit
Risk:Moderate Risk
Impact:Moderate Impact 60/100
Constitutionality90%
Bipartisan50%
Public opinion80%
Bill summary
What changes
The bill prohibits utility companies from filing for a rate increase more frequently than every three years.
Who is affected
Utility companies operating in Michigan and all energy utility customers.
Requirements and enforcement
Utilities must adhere to a minimum three-year interval between filings for rate adjustments.
Costs and funding
Not stated in the available source.
When it takes effect
Current status is under debate in the Senate; effective date not specified.
Potential benefits
Increases rate predictability for consumers and reduces the frequency of rate-case administrative burdens.
Risks and tradeoffs
Potential for deferred maintenance or infrastructure investment if utilities cannot recover rising costs within a fixed three-year period.
What is still unknown
The bill does not specify if exceptions exist for emergency grid failures or sudden catastrophic cost events.
02
Impact analysis
✦ AI analysisModeled effects across six domains, estimated from bill text and comparable legislation.
Economy
Positive outlook
60%
Benefits
- Limits frequency of consumer bill increases
- Provides predictable rate cycles for households
- Reduces administrative churn for utility companies
Risks
- Prevents utilities from adjusting to rapid inflation
- May delay necessary grid infrastructure investment
- Risk of degraded maintenance due to revenue rigidity
Society
Positive outlook
65%
Benefits
- Protects households from frequent price hikes
- Improves financial predictability for families
- Reduces consumer exposure to ongoing rate volatility
Risks
- Potential for degraded service quality if costs rise
- Reduced utility responsiveness to changing customer needs
- Could lead to deferred infrastructure upgrades affecting residents
Technology Industry
No direct effect
Neutral — no direct effect identified.
Benefits
- No material direct effect identified.
Risks
- No material direct effect identified.
Civic Accountability
Mixed / Neutral
55%
Benefits
- Establishes a predictable regulatory timeline
- Simplifies the formal rate review process
- Prevents excessive and burdensome regulatory filings
Risks
- Reduces frequency of formal public oversight hearings
- Limits state commission flexibility in annual reviews
- Restricts the regulatory pathway for utility cost recovery
Public Health & Safety
No direct effect
Neutral — no direct effect identified.
Benefits
- No material direct effect identified.
Risks
- No material direct effect identified.
03
How trustworthy & consequential it is
Sourcing already shown above, this is what the analysis found worth flagging.
Source
OpenStates
Official bill text or data from OpenStates.
Confidence
Low
Information is limited or incomplete.
Analysis basis
OpenStates summary
Source used for this bill's analysis.
Source note
Rigidity in rate filings may lead to deferred maintenance, potentially impacting grid reliability over time.
Analysis scope
Source provided is a summary; full legislative text unavailable.
04
Where it stands
Official record- IntroducedCurrent
- CommitteeUpcoming
- Chamber votesUpcoming
- Final agreementUpcoming
- GovernorUpcoming
- EnactedUpcoming
05
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06
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