Final
BILL SUMMARY for
SB05-042
HOUSE
COMMITTEE ON
TRANSPORTATION & ENERGY
Votes:
Action Taken:
Conceptual amendment..."A commissioner's salary sc
TIE
10:22 AM -- Senate Bill 05-042
Rep. Vigil, prime sponsor, introduced Senate Bill 05-042 regarding the methodology for the annual compensation of members of the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) and repealing obsolete provisions. He responded to committee questions. He provided a fact sheet, entitled SB 05-042 (Attachment A).
10:25 AM --
Sally Symanski, representing the Office of the State Auditor, was available for questions on the bill. She responded to questions.
10:28 AM --
Bruce Smith, representing the PUC, testified in support of the bill. He noted that the commissioners are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate. Mr. Smith indicated that this bill states that when commissioners enter the state system, the executive director of the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) has some flexibility in the salary grade the commissioners would receive. He responded to committee questions. Mr. Smith explained past procedures of the PUC and DORA regarding this issue.
10:42 AM
The committee discussed the quasi-judicial nature of the PUC, its compensation practices, and whether this law would change a commissioner's salary mid-year.
10:57 AM --
Jeffrey Hier, representing DORA, responded to committee questions. He noted that this commissioner salary issue has been an ongoing discussion for several years. He believes there are processes in place that will determine the range of salaries for commissioners. Rep. Larson indicated that he did not want to see politics impact the determination of the commissioners' salaries.
BILL:
SB05-042
TIME:
11:04:56 AM
MOVED:
Pommer
MOTION:
Conceptual amendment..."A commissioner's salary schedule can not be changed during a commissioner's term." The committee discussed the amendment. Rep. Pommer laid the bill over until March 23rd.
SECONDED:
Ragsdale
VOTE
Borodkin
Cadman
Green
Hefley
Knoedler
Larson
Lindstrom
Ragsdale
Welker
McFadyen
Pommer
Not Final
YES:
0
NO:
0
EXC:
0
ABS:
0
FINAL ACTION:
TIE
11:17 AM
Representative Pommer laid the bill over until March 23rd.