SSB 1215

This bill relates to rate regulatory proceedings before the utilities board within the utilities division of the department of commerce. _____ subsequent filing of an application for a new or changed rate which relates to services for which a rate filing is pending within months following the date the prior application was filed or until the board has issued a final order on the prior application, whichever date is earlier, unless the public utility applies to the board and receives authority. Additionally, the bill prohibits a public utility that utilizes a future test year in a proceeding from filing an application for a new or changed rate until after the board has issued an order related to the subsequent proceeding unless the public utility applies to the board and receives authority. 6.33 may place in effect such temporary rates, charges, schedules, or regulations. The bill prohibits a public utility that utilizes a future test year in a rate regulatory proceeding from proposing the use of multiple future test years in the same proceeding. Current law requires the board to adopt rules that require the board to utilize either a historic test year or a future test year in a rate regulatory proceeding. With respect to proceedings that take place after the effective date of a rate resulting from a proceeding utilizing a future test year, the bill requires the board’s rules to establish filing requirements and standards of reasonableness for determining whether the actual costs and revenues are consistent with those approved by the board. The bill requires the subsequent proceeding to be based on months of data. Additionally, the bill requires the public utility to file the data within days of the end of the 12-month period, and requires the board to issue a final order within 120 days after the public utility files the data.