 |
ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Fourth Legislature, Second Regular Session
residential utility consumer office; continuation
Purpose
Continues the Residential Utility Consumer Office (RUCO) for eight years.
Background
The Legislature established RUCO in 1983 to represent Arizona ratepayers before the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) in proceedings involving public service corporations. The Director of RUCO may: 1) prepare briefs, arguments, proposed rates and orders; 2) intervene on behalf of residential utility consumers as a party in interest; 3) research and analyze residential utility consumer interests; 4) hire employees and attorneys; and 5) make and execute contracts. RUCO must record all contacts by residential utility consumers relating to a public service corporation's quality or quantity of service to determine the general concerns of consumers and refer the consumers to the ACC Utilities Division Consumer Services Section. The Director of RUCO must adopt rules to carry out its statutory duties (A.R.S. §§ 40-462 and 40-464).
The Senate Commerce Committee of Reference (COR) held a public meeting on January 14, 2020, to evaluate RUCO's responses to sunset review factors and receive public testimony. The COR recommended that the Legislature continue RUCO for eight years (Senate COR Final Report). RUCO terminates on July 1, 2020, unless continued by the Legislature (A.R.S. § 41-3020.20).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Continues, retroactive to July 1, 2020, RUCO until July 1, 2028.
2. Repeals RUCO on January 1, 2029.
3. Contains a purpose statement.
4. Becomes effective on the general effective date, with a retroactive provision as noted.
House Action
RA 2/10/20 DP 7-0-0-0
3rd Read 2/25/20 52-8-0
Prepared by Senate Research
March 3, 2020
LB/JDP/gs