Date: 02/16/2006

Final
BILL SUMMARY for HB06-1203

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION & ENERGY

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Moved to Postpone Indefinitely House Bill 06-1203.
Moved to refer House Bill 06-1203 to the Committee		PASS
FAIL



11:38 AM -- House Bill 06-1203

Representative Weissmann, prime sponsor, presented House Bill 06-1203 which requires members of the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to be elected for 6-year terms. The bill staggers the length of the original members' terms so that approximately 1/3 of the commission is elected every two years, and requires the PUC to elect a chair from among its members to serve for a 2-year term. The bill also gives the PUC jurisdiction to oversee the rate and coverage decisions of the Commissioner of Insurance.

Mr. Weissmann stated that elected PUC members will be more responsive to their constituents. Responding to questions from the committee, Representative Weissmann discussed other states that elect public utility commission members and the appropriateness of having elections for members of the PUC.

11:51 AM

Steve Dayney, representing Xcel Energy, spoke in opposition to the bill. Mr. Dayney stated that because the PUC deals with very technical and complex issues, members of the commission should be there because of their expert knowledge and not because of their popularity or ability to appeal to current issues of interest to the public, such as rising energy rates. Responding to questions from members, Mr. Dayney stated that Xcel operates in 10 states and only one of those states, New Mexico, has elected commissioners. Mr. Dayney could not answer if elected commissioners are more responsive to the public than appointed members.

12:07 PM

Cameron Graham, Volunteer Legislative Advocate for AARP, spoke in opposition to the bill. Mr. Graham stated that the underlying issue is to ensure that the PUC operates in the most effective manner to protect the public's interest. He stated that having an appointed commission with oversight by the legislature, including Senate confirmation, is the best approach. Mr. Graham stated that if the legislature is not satisfied with the current process for choosing commissioners, it already has the authority to set the standards for appointing and confirming commissioners.

12:19 PM

Chairman Pommer called a two minute recess.

12:21 PM

Representative Weissmann gave his closing remarks.


BILL:HB06-1203
TIME: 12:22:13 PM
MOVED:Pommer
MOTION:Moved to refer House Bill 06-1203 to the Committee on Appropriations. The motion failed 4-6.
SECONDED:Ragsdale
VOTE
Borodkin
No
Green
Yes
Hefley
No
Knoedler
No
Larson
No
Lindstrom
Yes
Ragsdale
Yes
Sullivan
No
Welker
No
McFadyen
Excused
Pommer
Yes
Not Final YES: 4 NO: 6 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: FAIL


BILL:HB06-1203
TIME: 12:31:52 PM
MOVED:Larson
MOTION:Moved to Postpone Indefinitely House Bill 06-1203. The motion passed 6-4.
SECONDED:Knoedler
VOTE
Borodkin
Yes
Green
No
Hefley
Yes
Knoedler
Yes
Larson
Yes
Lindstrom
No
Ragsdale
No
Sullivan
Yes
Welker
Yes
McFadyen
Excused
Pommer
No
Final YES: 6 NO: 4 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS