HSB 107

“Local exchange carrier” is defined as any person that was the incumbent and historical rate-regulated wireline provider of local exchange services or any successor to such person that provides local exchange services. The bill provides the Iowa utilities board with authority to employ or appoint an independent administrative law judge to preside over any hearing or proceeding before the board. Certain provisions applicable to the employment or appointment of administrative law judges by state agencies do not apply to appointments by the board. Current law requires the board to deduct all amounts charged directly to any person subject to the jurisdiction of the board for providing utility services from the total annual expenses of the board and the consumer advocate. _____ assess the remaining amount to all persons providing service over which the board has jurisdiction in proportion to their respective gross operating revenues. The bill allows the board to charge such assessments based on estimated amounts, and to be assessed to some or all persons providing service over which the board has jurisdiction. Current law requires telecommunications carriers subject to assessments under Code chapter 477C to remit the assessments to a special fund quarterly. The bill removes the requirement that assessments under Code chapter 477C be remitted quarterly and instead allows the board to direct the intervals of when such assessments are to be remitted. Current law allows the board to impose a civil penalty of up to $100,000 for each violation of Code chapter 479, relating to pipelines and underground gas storage, or any rule or order issued pursuant to the Code chapter, provided that the maximum penalty does not exceed $1 million for any related series of violations. The bill removes these maximum amounts and instead provides that a civil penalty levied by the board shall be in accordance with specified federal law. Current law requires pipeline companies operating pipelines or underground storage under Code chapter 479A to pay the board an annual inspection fee of 50 cents for each mile of pipeline located in Iowa. The bill removes this set fee and instead allows the board to charge pipeline companies with annual inspection fees that are directly attributable to the costs of conducting inspections.