HB 1144 -- PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION (Mays, 50)

This bill makes municipally owned gas plants responsible to pay
not less than $100 and no more than $2,000 per offense for
violations of certain laws and Public Service Commission rules.
Currently, the law applies to any corporation, person, or public
utility.

The bill also adds a provision for federally required state
remedies for violations of federal gas pipeline safety
standards.  The state remedy is a fine not to exceed $10,000 per
violation up to a maximum of $500,000 for any related series of
violations.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds.

HB 1144 -- PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION

SPONSOR:  Mays (50)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Utilities
Regulation by a vote of 15 to 0.

This bill makes municipally owned gas plants responsible to pay
not less than $100 and no more than $2,000 per offense for
violations of certain laws and Public Service Commission rules.
Currently, the law applies to any corporation, person, or public
utility.

The bill also adds a provision for federally required state
remedies for violations of federal gas pipeline safety
standards.  The state remedy is a fine not to exceed $10,000 per
violation up to a maximum of $500,000 for any related series of
violations.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds.

PROPONENTS:  Proponents say this bill will provide flexibility
to the PSC in penalizing different sized utilities and allow
consideration of any good faith efforts to comply with safety
standards.  They also say that the safety of gas workers and gas
customers has been endangered by companies who do not comply and
that increased penalties may provide incentive for compliance.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Mays; Gas Department
of Public Service Commission; and Gas Workers Local Union 5-6.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Donna Schlosser, Legislative Analyst

HB 1144 -- Public Service Commission

Sponsor:  Mays (50)

This bill makes municipally owned gas plants responsible to pay
not less than $100 and no more than $2,000 per offense for
violations of certain laws and Public Service Commission rules.
Currently, the law applies to any corporation, person, or public
utility.

The bill also adds a provision for federally required state
remedies for violations of federal gas pipeline safety
standards.  The state remedy is a fine not to exceed $10,000 per
violation up to a maximum of $500,000 for any related series of
violations.