75th Legislative Session -- 2000

Committee: House Appropriations

                                            P - Present
                                            E - Excused
                                            A - Absent

Roll Call
P      Cerny
P      Burg
P      Sutton (Daniel)
P      Derby
P      Clark
P      Pummel
P      Klaudt
P      Wudel
P      Putnam, Vice-Chair
P      Richter, Chair


OTHERS PRESENT: See Original Minutes

The meeting was called to order by Chair Richter

Mr. David Becker, LRC, staffed the committee (Document #1).

PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION

Jim Burg, Commissioner, Public Utilities, presented the committee with the 1999 Consumer Affairs Report, Natural Gas & Electric Consumer Rules and Telephone Issues (Document #2).

Commissioner Burg reported that in 1999 they helped consumers recover over $250,000 from utility companies. Because of the increasing number of complaints being received from the public they are in the process of hiring another FTE to help handle the volume.

Sue Chicos, reviewed the proposed budget and stated that the Administration budget is only for salary and benefits for the 3 commissioners.

In response to concerns expressed by Representative Putnam in regard to bonding for stored grains, Chairman Burg responded that the bonds are too low. He said that they do investigate the financial condition of elevators in an effort to help protect those that have grain stored.

Mr. Tom Chambers, Chairman of the One-Call Notification Board, responded to questions from the committee regarding the operation of the One-Call program. He said that it has been very successful

and the company they contract with is working to get better information of locations corresponding with addresses.

MOTION:      TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF February 8, 2000

Moved by:      Representative Klaudt
Second by:      Representative Clark
Action:      Prevailed by voice vote.

MOTION:      ADJOURN

Moved by:      Representative Putnam
Second by:      Representative Wudel
Action:      Prevailed by voice vote.

Jeanette Black

Committee Secretary