SB 727 -- RECORDS OF MUNICIPAL UTILITIES

CO-SPONSORS: Goode, Bentley

COMMITTEE ACTION: Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Local Government and Related Matters by a vote of 17 to 2.

Under current law, municipal electric utilities may close the portion of their records containing the names of suppliers and cost of services and plans for future marketing and service expansion areas. The exemption terminates if electrical restructuring is not implemented by the General Assembly.

This bill extends the exemption to apply to both natural gas service and electric service provided by municipal utilities. The bill also extends the exemption termination date to December 31, 2002, if the General Assembly does not adopt electric utility restructuring legislation.

FISCAL NOTE: No impact on state funds.

PROPONENTS: Supporters say that the bill will help municipal utilities prepare for deregulation.

Testifying for the bill were Senator Goode; and Director of Columbia Power and Light.

OPPONENTS: There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Steve Bauer, Legislative Analyst