SB 0875 - Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note - SB 0875 - Establishes the election of public service commissioners

COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH

OVERSIGHT DIVISION

FISCAL NOTE

L.R. NO. 3748-01

BILL NO. SB 875

SUBJECT: Public Service Commission

TYPE: Original

DATE: February 20, 1998

---

FISCAL SUMMARY

ESTIMATED NET EFFECT ON STATE FUNDS
FUND AFFECTED	FY 1999	FY 2000	FY 2001
General Revenue	$0	$0	(Unknown)
Public Service Commission	$0	$0	($393,041)
Total Estimated Net Effect on All State Funds	$0	$0	($393,041 to Unknown)

ESTIMATED NET EFFECT ON FEDERAL FUNDS
FUND AFFECTED	FY 1999	FY 2000	FY 2001
None
Total Estimated Net Effect on All Federal Funds	$0	$0	$0

ESTIMATED NET EFFECT ON LOCAL FUNDS
FUND AFFECTED	FY 1999	FY 2000	FY 2001
Local Government	$0	$0	$0

Numbers within parentheses: ( ) indicate costs or losses

This fiscal note contains 4 pages.

FISCAL ANALYSIS

ASSUMPTION

The Department of Economic Development, Office of the Public Counsel assume this proposal would not fiscally impact their agency.

Officials of the Secretary of State's Office (SOS) assume there would be costs related to the election of commissioners. These costs would be incurred during FY01, and every four years thereafter. However, without further information on when and where the candidates would file, whether candidates are partisan or non-partisan, and whether filing fees would be collected, the SOS cannot reasonably estimate these costs.

The Department of Economic Development, Public Service Commission (PSC) states that this proposal increases the number of Commissioners from five to nine and requires them to be elected by popular vote from Missouri's nine congressional districts. PSC assumes implementation of this legislation would require four additional Commissioners ($82,710), four administrative secretaries ($29,172), and related fringe, expenses, equipment, and rental space beginning in January, 2001. PSC estimates total costs related to these 8 FTE at $394,141 for six months in FY01, and annual costs of approximately $699,921, thereafter. PSC further assumes costs of $15,000 to renovate the agenda and hearing rooms to accommodate the Commissioners.

The Governor's Office did not respond to our fiscal impact request. Oversight assumes this proposal would not fiscally impact their office.

FISCAL IMPACT - State Government	FY 1999	FY 2000	FY 2001
	(10 Mo.)		(6 Mo.)
GENERAL REVENUE
Costs-Secretary of State
Election Costs	$0	$0	(Unknown)
ESTIMATED NET EFFECT
ON GENERAL REVENUE	$0	$0	(Unknown)
FISCAL IMPACT - State Government	FY 1999	FY 2000	FY 2001
	(10 Mo.)		(6 Mo.)
PUBLIC SERVICE
COMMISSION FUND
Costs-Public Service Commission (PSC)
Personal Service	$0	$0	($240,970)
Fringe Benefits	$0	$0	($67,544)
Expense and Equipment	$0	$0	($84,527)
Total Costs - PSC	$0	$0	($393,041)
ESTIMATED NET EFFECT
ON PUBLIC SERVICE
COMMISSION FUND	$0	$0	($393,041)
FISCAL IMPACT - Local Government	FY 1999	FY 2000	FY 2001
	(10 Mo.)
	$0	$0	$0

FISCAL IMPACT - Small Business

No direct fiscal impact to small businesses would be expected as a result of this proposal.

DESCRIPTION

This proposal would make Public Service Commissioners elected officers, with one from each of the nine congressional districts. Commissioners would serve four-year terms, except for those first elected from even-numbered districts who would initially serve two-year terms. Currently Public Service Commissioners are appointed and serve six-year terms. Current Commissioners would serve until their term expires.

This legislation is not federally mandated, would not duplicate any other program and would require additional capital improvements or rental space.

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

Department of Economic Development

Public Service Commission

Office of the Public Counsel

Office of the Governor

Office of the Secretary of State

Jeanne Jarrett, CPA

Director

February 20, 1998