CHAPTER 272

H.P. 759 - L.D. 1042

An Act To Ensure Proper Funding of the Public Utilities

Commission and the Public Advocate

Emergency preamble. Whereas, Acts of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and

Whereas, it is necessary that the Public Utilities Commission and the Public Advocate have sufficient funds to carry out their statutory obligations during fiscal year 2004; and

Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore,

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:

Sec. 1. 35-A MRSA §116, sub-§1, as amended by PL 2001, c. 136, §1, is further amended to read:

1. Utilities subject to assessments. Every transmission and distribution, gas, telephone and water utility and ferry subject to regulation by the commission is subject to an assessment on its intrastate gross operating revenues to produce no more than $4,918,000 $5,505,000 in revenues annually. The commission shall increase the assessment to produce an additional $318,000 during fiscal year 2001-02 and an additional $587,000 during fiscal year 2002-03. The commission shall assess transmission and distribution utilities at a rate sufficient to