COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH
OVERSIGHT DIVISION
FISCAL NOTE
L.R. No.: 3608-01
Bill No.: SB 870
Subject: Public Service Commission; Utilities; Crimes and Punishment
Type: Original
Date: April 24, 2002
FISCAL SUMMARY
| FUND AFFECTED | FY 2003 | FY 2004 | FY 2005 |
| None | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total Estimated
Net Effect on All State Funds |
$0 | $0 | $0 |
| FUND AFFECTED | FY 2003 | FY 2004 | FY 2005 |
| None | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total Estimated
Net Effect on All Federal Funds |
$0 | $0 | $0 |
| FUND AFFECTED | FY 2003 | FY 2004 | FY 2005 |
| Local Government | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Numbers within parentheses: ( ) indicate costs or losses.
This fiscal note contains 3 pages.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
ASSUMPTION
Officials from the Department of Economic Development - Public Service Commission (PSC), Department of Economic Development - Office of Public Counsel (OPC) and the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) assume the proposed legislation would have no fiscal impact on their agencies or that additional duties could be absorbed within current appropriations.
| FISCAL IMPACT - State Government | FY 2003
(10 Mo.) |
FY 2004 | FY 2005 |
| $0 | $0 | $0 |
| FISCAL IMPACT - Local Government | FY 2003
(10 Mo.) |
FY 2004 | FY 2005 |
| $0 | $0 | $0 |
FISCAL IMPACT - Small Business
Small businesses could have a direct fiscal impact as a result of this proposal to the extent that the small utility/business would be subject to increased maximum penalty amounts for each violation.
DESCRIPTION
The proposal would revise certain penalties for violations by regulated utilities. The maximum state penalty for violations of the federal Natural Gas Pipeline Safety Act of 1986 would be increased to match the federal penalty whenever so required by federal law. (The maximum federal penalty for violations of pipeline safety rules must be a fine of up to $25,000.) The maximum state fine is $2,000. The proposal would also identify, as among the entities covered by this particular statute, municipalities owning gas plants and include factors for the Public Service Commission to consider in assessing penalty amounts.
This legislation is not federally mandated, would not duplicate any other program and would not require additional capital improvements or rental space. The proposal could affect Total State Revenue.
SOURCES OF INFORMATION
Department of Economic Development - Public Service Commission
Department of Economic Development - Office of Public Counsel
Department of Natural Resources
Mickey Wilson, CPA
Acting Director
April 24, 2002