SB 1130 - This act modifies provisions of law relating to funding for the public service commission and the office of public counsel.ASSESSMENTS BY THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION (Section 386.370) - Currently, the Public Service Commission makes an estimate of the expenses that may be incurred during the fiscal year that is attributable to the regulation of public utilities, and allocates such expenses to each group of public utilities. Such allocation is made in an amount of estimated expenses directly attributable to the regulation of each group, and an amount equal to the proportion of estimated expenses not directly attributable to any group as the gross intrastate operating revenues of such group during the proceeding calendar year comparable to the total gross intrastate revenues of all public utilities. Under this act, such allocation shall be made in an amount of estimated expenses directly attributable to the regulation of such group, and an amount equal to the proportion of estimated expenses not directly attributable to any group in the same proportion as the directly attributable expenses to each group.
Until tariffs are filed in compliance with a public utility's next general rate proceeding, any utility assessed an amount under this act greater than assessed in fiscal year 2017 may file rate adjustments outside a general rate proceeding in an amount to reimburse the utility.
ASSESSMENTS BY THE OFFICE OF PUBLIC COUNSEL (Sections 386.715 & 620.010) - This act requires the Office of Public Counsel to make available to the Public Service Commission an estimate of the expenses to be incurred during the upcoming fiscal year. Such estimate shall separately estimate the amount of expenses directly attributed to responsibilities with respect to certain groups of public utilities as set forth in this act. The Public Counsel shall then allocate such expenses to each respective public utility group, and the Public Service Commission shall then assess such amounts so long as assessed amounts do not exceed 1/8 of 1%, as set forth in this act. Payment schedules for public utilities remitting such assessment and documents required to be submitted to the Public Service Commission by the public utilities are set forth in this act.
Any assessment payments made by the Public Service Commission on behalf of the Office of Public Counsel shall be credited to "The Public Counsel Fund" created under this act. The Fund shall be used to pay expenditures incurred by the Office of Public Counsel. Further, the Public Service Commission may adopt rules establishing fees for certain items as set forth in this act, and such fees shall also be remitted to The Public Counsel Fund.
Until tariffs are filed in compliance with a public utility's next general rate proceeding, any utility assessed an amount under this act greater than assessed in fiscal year 2017 may file rate adjustments outside a general rate proceeding in an amount to reimburse the utility.
Currently, funding for the Office of Public Counsel general counsel's office shall be by general revenue. This act repeals this provision.
Certain sections of this act have an effective date of January 1, 2017.
This act is similar to HB 2808 (2016).
KAYLA HAHN