MO SB685

Prohibits substantive or procedural communications about pending or likely cases unless made at a public agenda meeting with advance notice to the office of public counsel, affected parties, and the public, or accompanied by a full audio, video, or written record made available to the public.

Requires unintentional ex parte communications made outside proper forums to be disclosed to the utility, public counsel, affected parties, and the public within one business day through filing in the official case file.

Mandates that intentional ex parte communications outside proper forums trigger protective measures by the commission, which may include restrictions on evidence presentation, commissioner recusal, or restrictions on future evidence presentation by the offending party.

Allows free exchange of ideas on general regulatory policy matters and discussions between commissioners and elected officials about pending cases without expressing opinions on the merits.

Permits the commission to conduct joint investigations and hearings with other state and federal utility commissions and to establish cooperative agreements for regulatory purposes.