COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH
OVERSIGHT DIVISION
FISCAL NOTE
L.R. No.: 4204-01
Bill No.: SB 1131
Subject: Public Service Commission
Type: Original
Date: February 13, 2004
FISCAL SUMMARY
| FUND AFFECTED | FY 2005 | FY 2006 | FY 2007 |
| Total Estimated
Net Effect on General Revenue Fund |
$0 | $0 | $0 |
| FUND AFFECTED | FY 2005 | FY 2006 | FY 2007 |
| Total Estimated
Net Effect on All State Funds |
$0 | $0 | $0 |
Numbers within parentheses: ( ) indicate costs or losses.
This fiscal note contains 4 pages.
| FUND AFFECTED | FY 2005 | FY 2006 | FY 2007 |
| Total Estimated
Net Effect on All Federal Funds |
$0 | $0 | $0 |
| FUND AFFECTED | FY 2005 | FY 2006 | FY 2007 |
| Local Government | $0 | $0 | $0 |
ASSUMPTION
Officials of the Department of Economic Development - Public Service Commission (PSC) state this proposal prohibits consumers from filing complaints about rates. This is a change from the present, in which a group of 25 or more consumers may file a complaint about rates. Few such complaints are filed now, so no significant impact is expected.
The bill requires the completion of over-earnings complaint cases in 11 months. This is not a significant change from present practice.
The bill authorizes refunds where a utility is found to have intentionally overcharged customers. This provision is not likely to result in a significant increase of work for the PSC.
PSC is not requesting additional resources due to this proposal.
Officials of the Department of Economic Development - Office of the Public Counsel (OPC) state although this bill has some impact on OPC, OPC should be able to absorb the changes; however, if the requirements of this bill are combined with additional requirements or changes OPC may incur a fiscal impact.
| FISCAL IMPACT - State Government | FY 2005
(10 Mo.) |
FY 2006 | FY 2007 |
| $0 | $0 | $0 |
| FISCAL IMPACT - Local Government | FY 2005
(10 Mo.) |
FY 2006 | FY 2007 |
| $0 | $0 | $0 | |
FISCAL IMPACT - Small Business
This proposal will make it more difficult for small businesses to challenge utility rates.
DESCRIPTION
This proposal modifies Section 386.390, RSMo by first eliminating the requirement for twenty-five signatures for an over-earnings complaint. This proposal also states that any over-earnings complaint must be decided by the Public Service Commission within eleven months from the date of the initial filing. Finally, this proposal provides the PSC authority to order any corporation that has been found by the PSC to have intentionally overcharged customers, to refund all affected customers with interest from the date of the overcharge.
This legislation is not federally mandated, would not duplicate any other program and would not require additional capital improvements or rental space.
SOURCES OF INFORMATION
Department of Economic Development
Public Service Commission
Office of the Public Counsel
Mickey Wilson, CPA
Director
February 13, 2004