Bill > LD1686

This bill makes several technical amendments to Maine's public utilities laws, primarily focusing on clarifying and aligning existing statutes. The bill modifies funding provisions for the interconnection ombudsman, allowing funding through fees, federal money, and contributions from various sources. It adjusts administrative penalty limits for natural gas pipeline and gas utilities by replacing fixed dollar amounts with a reference to federal regulations, specifically the 49 Code of Federal Regulations Section 190.223, which allows for more flexible penalty adjustments. The bill also makes changes to rate adjustment provisions for consumer-owned water utilities, modifying how maximum rate adjustments are calculated. Additionally, the bill revises telecommunications fund contribution requirements, removing the blanket requirement for "all" voice network service providers and instead focusing on providers using numbers from the North American Numbering Plan Administrator. Other minor technical changes include removing certain reporting requirements and clarifying language around utility regulations. These amendments appear designed to provide more precise legal language, update regulatory mechanisms, and ensure consistency across different sections of Maine's utility laws.

Transportation and Infrastructure

https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=1686&snum=132