COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH
OVERSIGHT DIVISION
FISCAL NOTE
L.R. No.: 4826-02
Bill No.: SB 1209
Subject: Public Service Commission
Type: Original
Date: March 11, 2002
FISCAL SUMMARY
| FUND AFFECTED | FY 2003 | FY 2004 | FY 2005 |
| Public Service Commission* | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total Estimated
Net Effect on All State Funds* |
$0 | $0 | $0 |
*Assumes costs to the Fund of $413,619, $439,787, and $450,983 and offsetting increases in assessments against regulated utilities in the next three fiscal years.
| FUND AFFECTED | FY 2003 | FY 2004 | FY 2005 |
| 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.
ASSUMPTION
Officials of the Department of Economic Development - Public Service Commission stated that they would request a Senior Counsel, a Regulatory Auditor V, an Engineer II, an Economist III and a Policy Analyst II as required by this proposal to assist Commissioners in determination of technical issues, each employee within her or his area of expertise.
Officials of the Department of Economic Development - Office of the Public Counsel stated that this proposal would not affect their agency.
Oversight assumes the Public Service Commission would adjust assessments against regulated utilities to offset increased costs due to this proposal; however, the amount of assessment against regulated utilities is limited to one-forth of 1 percent (.0025) of gross intrastate operating revenues of all utilities under Commission jurisdiction. If assessments are insufficient to cover Commission costs then the Commission would have to seek an increase in the amount which may be assessed or seek funding for the Commission from different sources.
| FISCAL IMPACT - State Government | FY 2003
(10 Mo.) |
FY 2004 | FY 2005 |
| PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION FUND | |||
| Income - Increased Assessments on Regulated Utilities | ($413,619) | ($439,787) | ($450,983) |
| Cost - Public Service Commission | |||
| Personal Service (5 FTE) | ($238,951) | ($293,909) | ($301,257) |
| Fringe Benefits | ($86,046) | ($105,837) | ($108,483) |
| Expense and Equipment | ($88,622) | ($40,041) | ($41,243) |
| Administrative Cost to Commission | ($413,619) | ($439,787) | ($450,983) |
| ESTIMATED NET EFFECT ON PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION FUND | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| FISCAL IMPACT - Local Government | FY 2003
(10 Mo.) |
FY 2004 | FY 2005 |
| $0 | $0 | $0 |
FISCAL IMPACT - Small Business
No direct fiscal impact to small business would be expected as a result of this proposal.
DESCRIPTION
Under current law, members of the Public Service Commission must
reside within 40 miles of Jefferson City. This proposal would allow commissioners to live anywhere in Missouri.
The proposal would authorize the Commission to retain a five-member technical advisory staff, including at least one licensed attorney, one certified public accountant, one professional engineer, and one person with experience in finance or economics.
Staff members would be subject to the same conflict of interest requirements as commissioners. No one regulated by, appearing before, or employed by the commission could offer advisory staff members new appointments or positions.
The proposal would allow commissioners to confer with others on matters not relating to pending or filed cases. Commissioners could also confer with others on matters relating to pending or
filed cases if no evidentiary hearing has been scheduled and if the matter is discussed at an announced public meeting or a forum where affected parties are present or if the discussion is
subsequently disclosed to affected parties. If an evidentiary hearing has been scheduled, commissioners could only discuss matters relating to procedures or unanimous agreements that
resolve a case fully.
This legislation is not federally mandated, would not duplicate any other program. It would require additional capital improvements or rental space. This legislation would affect Total State Revenue.
SOURCES OF INFORMATION
Department of Economic Development
Public Service Commission
Office of the Public Counsel
Mickey Wilson, CPA
Acting Director
March 11, 2002