129th MAINE LEGISLATURE
		LD 1120		LR 1716(01)
	An Act To Protect Consumers from Price Gouging by Utility Companies
	Preliminary Fiscal Impact Statement for Original Bill
	Sponsor: Sen. Chenette of York
	Committee: Energy, Utilities and Technology
	Fiscal Note Required: Yes
Preliminary Fiscal Impact Statement
			FY 2019-20	FY 2020-21	Projections  FY 2021-22	Projections  FY 2022-23
Appropriations/Allocations
	Other Special Revenue Funds		($272,726)	($379,207)	($389,749)	($400,584)
Fiscal Detail and Notes
	This bill requires the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to limit utility rate increases to less than 10% in any 12-month period and prohibits the costs of an error on the utilities part from being billed to ratepayers.  The bill also changes the term of service for appointed members of the PUC and the Public Advocate from a six-year term to service at the pleasure of the Governor and sets the compensation of the members of the PUC to the average annual wage within the State. The decrease in salaries for the Chair of the PUC and the other members will necessitate deallocations in Other Special Revenue Funds of $272,726 in fiscal year 2019-20 and $379,207 in fiscal year 2020-21.