LRB-3544/1
MDK:eev:jm
2013 - 2014 LEGISLATURE
November 8, 2013 - Introduced by Representatives Kaufert and Thiesfeldt,
cosponsored by Senator Lasee. Referred to Committee on Energy and
Utilities.
AB496,,3 1An Act to amend 196.137 (2) (intro.); and to create 196.137 (2) (ap), 196.137 (4)
2and 227.01 (13) (zv) of the statutes; relating to: releases of customer
3information by municipal utilities.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
Under current law, a municipal utility is generally prohibited from releasing
"customer information," which is defined as any information received from
customers that serves to identify customers individually by usage or account status.
The prohibition, however, has several exceptions, including the following: 1) a
release made with the consent of a customer; 2) a release to a title agent, insurer,
lender, mortgage broker, or attorney that is made in connection with the preparation
of real estate closing documents; and 3) a release to a lender or prospective purchaser
that is made in connection with real property foreclosures.
This bill requires the Public Service Commission (PSC) to specify a form for a
municipal utility to obtain a customer's consent to a release under the first exception
described above. The bill allows the PSC to specify the form without promulgating
rules. The bill also creates an exception allowing a municipal utility to release
customer information in connection with real estate transactions and real property
appraisals. Under the bill's new exception, a municipal utility may release customer
information under such circumstances to licensed real estate brokers and
salespersons, as well as to certified or licensed appraisers.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do
enact as follows:
AB496,1
1Section 1. 196.137 (2) (intro.) of the statutes, as created by 2013 Wisconsin Act
225
, is amended to read:
AB496,2,53 196.137 (2) Prohibition. (intro.) A municipal utility may not release customer
4information to any person except with the consent of the customer obtained on a form
5specified under sub. (4)
, or except to any of the following:
AB496,2 6Section 2. 196.137 (2) (ap) of the statutes is created to read:
AB496,2,97 196.137 (2) (ap) In connection with a real estate transaction or appraisal of real
8property, a real estate broker or salesperson licensed under ch. 452 or an appraiser
9certified or licensed under ch. 458.
AB496,3 10Section 3. 196.137 (4) of the statutes is created to read:
AB496,2,1411 196.137 (4) Consent form. No later than the first day of the 2nd month
12beginning after the effective date of this subsection .... [LRB inserts date], the
13commission shall specify a form for a municipal utility to obtain a customer's consent
14to the release of customer information.
AB496,4 15Section 4. 227.01 (13) (zv) of the statutes is created to read:
AB496,2,1616 227.01 (13) (zv) Specifies the form required under s. 196.137 (4).
AB496,5 17Section 5 . Initial applicability.
AB496,2,1918 (1) The treatment of section 196.137 (2) (intro.) of the statutes first applies to
19consent obtained on the effective date of this subsection.
AB496,6 20Section 6. Effective dates. This act takes effect on the day after publication,
21except as follows:
AB496,2,2322 (1) The treatment of section 196.137 (2) (intro.) of the statutes and Section 5
23(1) of this act take effect on the first day of the 2nd month beginning after publication.
AB496,2,2424 (End)
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