House Bill 1179 Summary

• Limits the Public Utilities Staff to serving as a support staff to the Public Service Commission and PSC staff rather than operating as a completely separate and independent entity.

• Requires Public Utilities Staff executive director to obtain approval from the Public Service Commission when establishing organizational structure.

• Restricts Public Utilities Staff duties and responsibilities to investigative and advisory functions only, within the scope of PSC jurisdiction and as a support role.

• Adds requirement that when the Public Utilities Staff conducts independent investigations on electric utility financing petitions, such investigations must be deemed necessary by both the executive director and the Public Service Commission.

• Effective date: July 1, 2018.