HB 376 -- JOINT MUNICIPAL UTILITY COMMISSIONS (Leake)

This bill allows municipalities and sewer districts to form
joint municipal utility commissions.  This bill also exempts
water works established by joint municipal utility commissions
from regulation by the Public Service Commission.  These
provisions become effective only upon voter approval of the
issuance of revenue bonds by cities, towns, or villages for
revenue-producing sewage treatment plants.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds.

HB 376 -- JOINT MUNICIPAL UTILITY COMMISSIONS

SPONSOR:  Leake

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Utilities
Regulation by a vote of 16 to 0.

This bill allows municipalities and sewer districts to form
joint municipal utility commissions.  This bill also exempts
water works established by joint municipal utility commissions
from regulation by the Public Service Commission.  These
provisions become effective only upon voter approval of the
issuance of revenue bonds by cities, towns, or villages for
revenue-producing sewage treatment plants.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that small rural communities would
benefit from regulating their non-profit water companies rather
than being regulated by Public Service Commission.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Leake; and Public
Service Commission.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Donna Schlosser, Research Analyst

HB 376 -- Joint Municipal Utility Commissions

Sponsor:  Leake

This bill allows municipalities and sewer districts to form
joint municipal utility commissions.  This bill also exempts
water works established by joint municipal utility commissions
from regulation by the Public Service Commission.  These
provisions become effective only upon voter approval of the
issuance of revenue bonds by cities, towns, or villages for
revenue-producing sewage treatment plants.