MO HB2196

Establishes section 386.715 to create a "Public Counsel Fund" financed by assessments on public utilities regulated by the Missouri Public Service Commission.

Requires the public counsel to annually estimate expenses and allocate them to eight utility groups (electrical, gas, water, heating, telephone, telegraph, sewer, and other), with assessments capped at one-eighth of one percent of gross intrastate operating revenues.

Assessment amounts are calculated based on each utility's proportional share of gross intrastate operating revenues and must be paid to the Missouri Director of Revenue by July 15th, with optional quarterly installment payments.

Unused funds in the Public Counsel Fund roll over to the next fiscal year and reduce assessments to utilities proportionally based on their gross intrastate operating revenues.

Requires public utilities to file sworn statements of gross intrastate operating revenues by March 31st annually; the commission estimates revenues for utilities that fail to file.