PSC STAFF (Section 386.135) - Currently, the Public Service Commission is required to hire technical advisory staff, with all such staff being hired by July 1, 2005. This act repeals the provision requiring all staff to be hired by such date.

Currently, Public Service Commission technical advisory staff shall provide advice and assistance to the Public Service Commissioners and administrative law judges. Under this act, such communications between Commissioners and non-attorney staff shall be protected from public disclosure.

This provision is identical to a provision contained in SS/SCS/HB 1691 (2018), and is substantially similar to a provision contained in HCS/HB 2265 (2018).

COMPLAINTS (Section 386.390) - Currently, certain organizations may make a complaint against a public utility by setting forth any act committed or omitted by a public utility, including any rule, regulation or charge established by the Commission in violation of any law, rule, order, or decision. Under this act, the complaint shall set forth the act committed or omitted by the public utility in violation of any provision of law subject to the Public Service Commission's authority, or of any rule, utility tariff, order, or decision of the Commission.

This provision is identical to a provision contained in SS#5/SB 564 (2018), and is substantially similar to a provision contained in HB 1575 (2018), HCS/HB 2265 (2018), and SB 572 (2018).

APPEALS (Sections 386.510 & 386.515) - Currently, an applicant may appeal a decision or order from the Public Service Commission by filing a notice of appeal with the Commission, which the Commission shall then forward to the appropriate appellate court. Under this act, an applicant may file a notice of appeal with the appellate court directly.

This provision is identical to a provision contained in SCS/HB 1691 (2018), is substantially similar to HB 1080 (2017) and HB 2634 (2016), and is similar to SB 1132 (2016).

ADVANCED METERS (Section 386.822) - This act prohibits a public utility from installing an advanced meter unless the utility has attempted to notify the customer of the installation. Customers may elect not to have such meter installed or to have such meter removed and replaced, but the customer may be assessed a $75 charge to replace an advanced meter with a non-standard meter in addition to a $25 monthly charge. Any customer who has provided the utility with documentation from their physician establishing that the customer, or any member of their household, has a medical condition that is adversely impacted by an advanced meter shall not be required to pay such fees. If a customer believes that a public utility has failed to comply with this act, such customer may file a complaint with the Public Service Commission. Further, this act requires the Public Service Commission to provide a report to the General Assembly on this provision by August 28, 2022, after which the Commission may replace the fees set forth in this act with reasonable, cost-based fees for each public utility.

This provision is identical to a provision contained in SS/SCS/HB 1691 (2018), and is similar to a provision contained in HCS/HB 2265 (2018) and HB 1495 (2018).

KAYLA HAHN