MO SB1713

Requires the Public Service Commission to make a finding that any sale, assignment, lease, transfer, mortgage, merger, or consolidation of a public utility is in the public interest before the transaction can be permitted

Applies to gas, electrical, water, and sewer corporations seeking to dispose of or encumber their franchise, works, or system

Mandates that acquisitions of 50% or more of stock in small water or sewer corporations (serving 8,000 or fewer customers) be reported to the commission within 30 days

Prohibits small water or sewer corporations with regulatory delinquencies (late annual reports, unpaid assessments, or rule violations) from selling 50% or more of their stock without commission consent

Amends Section 393.190, RSMo, adding the explicit "public interest" standard as a new requirement for commission approval of utility transactions