State Representative Rob Matzie is pushing for the approval of several house bills designed to strengthen safeguards for consumers against predatory practices that drive up costs in many different areas of life.

Matzie, who is the majority chairman of the House Consumer Protection, Technology and Utilities Committee, says that the most recent efforts by the committee focus on the arenas of speculative ticketing and “fly-by-night” gas and electric companies.

“We are also reviewing legislation to address unsightly, unsafe duplicate utility poles and legislation to protect consumers from high-pressure sales tactics by some fly-by-night companies,” Matzie said. “It doesn’t matter whether we’re talking about goods or services – every PA consumer deserves a fair shake.”

Some of the bills under review include:

• H.B. 1578, which would protect consumers from “fly-by-night” gas and electric companies whose salespeople prey on seniors and other vulnerable customers.
• H.B. 1658, which would ban speculative ticketing.
• H.B. 1378, which would ban the use of “grinch bots.”
• H.B. 1655, which would standardize fees and requirements imposed on utilities performing street repairs to contain the costs passed on to consumers.
• H.B. 1619, which would address unsafe, unsightly duplicative utility poles.