Bill
Bill > SB88
OR SB88
Relating to expenditures nonrecoverable from ratepayers; declaring an emergency.
summary
Introduced
01/13/2025
01/13/2025
In Committee
03/28/2025
03/28/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
Potential new amendment
2025 Legislative Measures
Bill Summary
The statement includes a measure digest written in compliance with applicable readability standards. Digest: Bans a power or gas company from including in its rates certain costs or expenses. (Flesch Readability Score: 61.8). Prohibits an electric or gas company from recovering from ratepayers costs or expenses asso- ciated with advertising, political influence activity, litigation, penalties or fines and certain com- pensation. Directs the Public Utility Commission to limit the amount that an electric or gas company may recover from ratepayers for costs and expenses incurred by the electric or gas company in preparing for, attending, participating in or appealing a contested proceeding conducted before the commis- sion. Requires an electric or gas company to submit an annual report to the commission that includes an itemized list of all costs and expenses incurred by the electric or gas company that are nonre- coverable from ratepayers. Imposes civil penalties for violations. Declares an emergency, effective on passage.
AI Summary
This bill aims to restrict electric and gas companies from recovering certain costs from ratepayers, establishing comprehensive rules about what expenses cannot be passed on to customers. The bill defines key terms like "advertising" and "political influence activity" and prohibits utility companies from charging ratepayers for a wide range of expenses, including membership fees to trade associations that engage in advertising or political activities, charitable contributions, political campaign expenses, litigation over legislation, penalties and fines, executive travel and entertainment, investor relations costs, and compensation above 50% for board members. The Public Utility Commission is directed to limit the amount utilities can recover for costs associated with contested proceedings and to establish rules about recoverable expenses. Additionally, utilities must submit an annual detailed report by April 30th itemizing all non-recoverable expenses, including specific information about payments, employee compensation, and business units involved. The bill imposes civil penalties for non-compliance, with penalties potentially being returned to ratepayers as rebates or deposited into the General Fund. Notably, the bill declares an emergency, meaning it would take effect immediately upon passage, with the goal of protecting ratepayers from bearing unnecessary costs associated with utility company activities beyond their core service provision.
Committee Categories
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Sponsors (0)
No sponsors listed
Last Action
Public Hearing held. (on 05/05/2025)
Official Document
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