CCS/SCS/HB 1402 - This act modifies provisions relating to utility projects.

CABLE SERVICES (Section 71.970) - This act also allows municipalities to own and operate cable services on a competitively-neutral basis. For those municipalities wishing to do so after August 28, 2002, the issue must be submitted to a vote of the people. This section terminates on August 28, 2007. The PSC is required to do an annual study on the economic impacts of this section. These provisions are similar to SB 1263 (2002).

INTERNET FILTERING (Section 182.825 & 182.827) - This act requires public (elementary and secondary) schools and public libraries that provide access to the Internet to either: use filtering software; purchase Internet service through a provider that provides filter services; or otherwise restrict minors' access to the Internet by local rule. Any school board member, officer or employee, including library personnel, who willfully neglects or refuses comply with this section shall be subject to the penalties (a fine of not more than $500 or imprisonment in the county jail not to exceed one year) imposed pursuant to Section 162.091, RSMo. Any public school employee, public library employee, officer, or trustee; or Internet service provider who complies with the law shall not be liable if a minor gains access to pornographic material through the use of the school's computer. These provisions are similar to HCS/SS/SB 665 (2002).

NET METERING (Section 386.887) - This act creates the "Consumer Clean Energy Act" which allows customer-generators of electricity to sell, by agreement, energy generated to the wholesale generator. This energy shall be treated as energy generated by the generator providing electricity to the retail electric supplier. Each retail electric supplier shall calculate the net energy measurement for a customer-generator.

This act requires each retail electric supplier to maintain and make available records of the total generating capacity of customer-generators and the energy source used.

The customer-generator shall pay the cost of meeting the standards set out in this bill and any cost to install additional controls, metering or additional tests.

Applications by a customer-generator for interconnection to the distribution system shall be accompanied by certification from a qualified professional.

These provisions are similar to SB 1100 (2002).

TELECOMMUNICATIONS (Section 392.410) - This act modifies Section 392.410, RSMo, by exempting from restriction the ability of political subdivisions to provide certain telecommunication providers with services or facilities on a nondiscriminatory, competitively-neutral basis, and at a price which covers cost, including imputed costs. This section terminates on August 28, 2007. The PSC is required to do an annual study on the economic impacts of this section. This portion is similar to SB 886 (2002).

AGGREGATE PURCHASING OF NATURAL GAS FOR SCHOOLS - This act creates a mechanism for school districts to aggregate purchases natural gas through a not-for-profit school association. During the first year participation is limited to public schools and thereafter to all schools or school districts for elementary and secondary education. Missouri gas corporations are required to file a set of small volume transportation schedules or tariffs applicable to public school districts by August 1, 2002. These provisions will terminate on June 1, 2005. These provisions are similar to SB 900 (2002).

PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION - This act removes a joint municipal utility commission from being considered a corporation subject to oversight by the Public Service Commission (Sections 386.025, 393.295 and 393.765).

Bonds issued by a joint municipal utility commission may be sold at a public or private sale and at such price as the commission shall determine (Section 393.725).

All property acquired as a result of the bonds shall be subject to taxation only to the same extent as other property owned by the municipality in proportion to the municipality's interest or participation in the property (Section 393.740).

These provisions are similar to SB 1131 (2002).

EMISSIONS FOR CYCLONE-FIRED BOILERS - The act limits emissions from cyclone-fired boilers which burn tire derived fuel to eighty percent of the limits in the Clean Air Act. This portion is contained in SB 1011 (TAT) and CCS/HS/SS#2/SCS/SBs 984 & 985 (TAT) (2002).
CINDY KADLEC