HB 406 -- PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION ORDERS

SPONSOR:  Mays (50)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Utilities
Regulation by a vote of 17 to 1.

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:  Supporters say that this bill brings the state into
line with required federal penalties.  They also say that the
Public Service Commission (PSC) does not assess these penalties
directly.  The commission makes a recommendation, and the court
may order the fine.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Mays (50); and
Public Service Commission.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Donna Schlosser, Legislative Analyst

HB 406 -- Public Service Commission Orders

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.