HB16-1186 Summary

• Allocates a portion of public utility fees to meet Colorado's federal grant match obligations for rail fixed guideway system safety oversight programs under the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21).

• For fiscal year 2016-17 and any subsequent year requiring a grant match, directs the lesser of all fees collected or up to $150,000 to the Public Utilities Commission Fixed Utility Fund instead of the general fund.

• Creates two new funds within the state treasury: the telecommunications utility fund (for telephone corporation fees) and the public utilities commission fixed utility fund (for other public utility fees).

• Appropriates $150,000 from the public utilities commission fixed utility fund to the Department of Regulatory Agencies for the Public Utilities Commission to use for operating expenses in implementing the act.

• Any fees exceeding the $150,000 grant match requirement are credited to the general fund, and the remaining 97% of all fees continue to be distributed to the telecommunications utility fund and public utilities commission fixed utility fund as before.