ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Fifty-fourth Legislature

Second Regular Session

House: RA DP 7-0-0-0 | 3rd Read 52-8-0-0

Senate: COM DP 7-0-1-0 | 3rd Read 27-0-3-0

HB 2601: residential utility consumer office; continuation

Sponsor:  Representative Roberts, LD 11

Transmitted to the Governor

Overview

Continues the Residential Utility Consumer Office (RUCO) for eight years.

History

Pursuant to A.R.S. § 41-2953, the Joint Legislative Audit Committee assigned the sunset review of RUCO to the Senate Commerce and the House of Representatives Regulatory Affairs Committee of Reference (COR).  The Senate Commerce COR met on January 14, 2020 and recommended that RUCO be continued for eight years, until July 1, 2028. The House Regulatory Affairs COR met on January 16, 2020 and recommended that RUCO be continued for eight years, until July 1, 2028.

Laws 1983, Chapter 308 established RUCO to represent the interests of residential consumers and advocate on their behalf in rate-related regulatory proceedings that involve public services corporations before the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC).  The ACC sets the rates for electricity, gas, telecommunications, water and sewer utilities.  RUCO conducts a preliminary review of every utility rate increase application filed with the ACC and determines the potential impact on residential consumers.  The Director of RUCO is appointed and serves at the pleasure of the Governor upon confirmation by the Senate.  RUCO was most recently continued for 10 years pursuant to Laws 2010, Chapter 16.

Provisions

1.    ☐ Prop 105 (45 votes) ☐ Prop 108 (40 votes) ☐ Emergency (40 votes) ☐ Fiscal NoteContinues, retroactive to July 1, 2020, RUCO until July 1, 2028. (Sec. 2, 4)

2.    Repeals RUCO on January 1, 2029. (Sec. 2)

3.    Contains a legislative intent clause. (Sec. 3)

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7.    Initials JR/LB                    Transmitted

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