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S.B. 75 Enrolled

             1     

UTILITY AMENDMENTS

             2     
2009 GENERAL SESSION

             3     
STATE OF UTAH

             4     
Chief Sponsor: Stephen H. Urquhart

             5     
House Sponsor: Kevin S. Garn

             6     
             7      LONG TITLE
             8      General Description:
             9          This bill amends the rate-setting process for a public utility.
             10      Highlighted Provisions:
             11          This bill:
             12          .    defines terms;
             13          .    amends the rate-setting process for a public utility, including:
             14              .    authorizes a public utility's complete filing with the Public Service Commission
             15      (PSC) to initiate a 240-day time period for rate case decisions;
             16              .    authorizes the PSC to approve or deny an electrical corporation's or a gas
             17      corporation's application for cost recovery of a major plant addition;
             18              .    allows the PSC to authorize an electrical corporation or a gas corporation
             19      energy balancing account;
             20              .    authorizes the PSC to approve a bill payment assistance program for
             21      low-income residential customers of an electrical corporation or a gas
             22      corporation; and
             23          .    makes technical corrections.
             24      Monies Appropriated in this Bill:
             25          None
             26      Other Special Clauses:
             27          This bill provides an immediate effective date.
             28          This bill provides revisor instructions.
             29      Utah Code Sections Affected:

             30      AMENDS:
             31          54-4-4.1, as enacted by Laws of Utah 1990, Chapter 29
             32          54-7-12, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2002, Chapter 319
             33      ENACTS:
             34          54-7-13.4, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             35          54-7-13.5, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             36          54-7-13.6, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             37          54-7-14.5, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             38      REPEALS:
             39          54-7-13, as last amended by Laws of Utah 1987, Chapter 161
             40     
             41      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             42          Section 1. Section 54-4-4.1 is amended to read:
             43           54-4-4.1. Rules to govern rates.
             44          (1) The commission may, by rule or order, adopt any method of rate regulation that is:
             45          (a) consistent with this title[, including a method whereby revenues or earnings of a
             46      public utility above a specified level are equitably shared between the public utility and its
             47      customers.];
             48          (b) in the public interest; and
             49          (c) just and reasonable.
             50          [(2) Not later than 60 days from the entry of an order or adoption of a rule adopting a
             51      method of rate regulation whereby revenues or earnings of a public utility above a specified
             52      level are equitably shared between the public utility and its customers, the public utility may
             53      elect not to proceed with the method of rate regulation by filing with the commission a notice
             54      that it does not intend to proceed with the method of rate regulation.]
             55          (2) In accordance with Subsection (1), a method of rate regulation may include:
             56          (a) rate designs utilizing:
             57          (i) volumetric rate components;

             58          (ii) demand rate components;
             59          (iii) fixed rate components; and
             60          (iv) variable rate components;
             61          (b) rate stabilization methods;
             62          (c) decoupling methods;
             63          (d) incentive-based mechanisms; and
             64          (e) other components, methods, or mechanisms approved by the commission.
             65          Section 2. Section 54-7-12 is amended to read:
             66           54-7-12. Rate increase or decrease -- Procedure -- Effective dates -- Electrical or
             67      telephone cooperative.
             68          (1) As used in this section:
             69          (a) (i) "Base rates" means those charges included in a public utility's generally
             70      applicable rate tariffs, including:
             71          (A) a fare;
             72          (B) a rate;
             73          (C) a rental;
             74          (D) a toll; or
             75          (E) any other charge generally applicable to a public utility's rate tariffs.
             76          (ii) Unless included by a commission order, "base rates" does not include charges
             77      included in:
             78          (A) a deferred account;
             79          (B) a balancing account;
             80          (C) a major plant addition surcharge;
             81          (D) a major plant addition surcredit;
             82          (E) a special contract; or
             83          (F) a public utility program offering.
             84          (b) (i) "Complete filing" means an application filed by a public utility that
             85      substantially complies with minimum filing requirements established by the commission, by

             86      rule, for a general rate increase or decrease.
             87          (ii) The commission shall within 180 days after the effective date of this section create
             88      and finalize rules concerning the minimum requirements to be met for an application to be
             89      considered a complete filing.
             90          [(a) "Rate] (c) "General rate decrease" means:
             91          (i) any direct decrease [in a rate, fare, toll, rental, or other charge of a public utility] to
             92      a public utility's base rates; or
             93          (ii) any modification of a classification, contract, practice, or rule that decreases a
             94      [rate, fare, toll, rental, or other charge of a public utility] public utility's base rates.
             95          [(b)] (d) ["Rate] "General rate increase" means:
             96          [(i) means:]
             97          [(A)] (i) any direct increase [in a rate, fare, toll, rental, or other charge of a public
             98      utility] to a public utility's base rates; or
             99          [(B)] (ii) any modification of a classification, contract, practice, or rule that increases
             100      a [rate, fare, toll, rental, or other charge of a public utility; and] public utility's base rates.
             101          [(ii) does not include a tariff under Section 54-7-12.8 .]
             102          (2) (a) [Any] A public utility [or other party that proposes to increase or decrease
             103      rates] that files for a general rate increase or general rate decrease shall file [appropriate
             104      schedules] a complete filing with the commission setting forth the proposed rate increase or
             105      decrease.
             106          (b) (i) For purposes of this Subsection (2), a public utility's application for a general
             107      rate increase or decrease shall be considered a complete filing unless within 30 days after the
             108      day on which the commission receives the public utility's application, the commission issues
             109      an order describing information that the public utility must provide for the application to be
             110      considered a complete filing.
             111          (ii) Subject to Subsection (2)(b)(iii) and within 14 days after the day on which the
             112      application is received by the commission, a party or a person may file a motion to challenge
             113      whether an application for a general rate increase or decrease is a complete filing.

             114          (iii) A party or a person may not file a motion described in Subsection (2)(b)(ii) unless
             115      the person or party has first filed a motion to intervene with the commission.
             116          (c) If, in accordance with Subsection (2)(b)(i), the commission issues an order that an
             117      application is not a complete filing, the commission shall:
             118          (i) determine the materiality of an application deficiency; and
             119          (ii) (A) if the deficiencies are not material, issue an order that the 240-day period
             120      described in Subsection (3)(a) shall continue without delay or be suspended and resume when
             121      the public utility files the required information; or
             122          (B) if the deficiencies are material, issue an order that the 240-day period described in
             123      Subsection (3)(a) shall start over when the public utility files the required information.
             124          [(b)] (d) (i) The commission shall, after reasonable notice, hold a hearing to determine
             125      whether the proposed rate increase or decrease, or some other rate increase or decrease, is just
             126      and reasonable.
             127          (ii) If a rate decrease is proposed by a public utility, the commission may waive a
             128      hearing unless it seeks to suspend, alter, or modify the rate decrease.
             129          [(c)] (e) Except as otherwise provided in [Subsections] Subsection (2)(d), (3) [and], or
             130      (4), a proposed rate increase or decrease is not effective until after completion of the hearing
             131      and issuance of a final order by the commission concerning the proposed increase or decrease.
             132          (3) (a) Within 240 days after a public utility submits a complete filing, the
             133      commission shall issue a final order to:
             134          (i) grant the proposed general rate increase or decrease;
             135          (ii) grant a different general rate increase or decrease; or
             136          (iii) deny the proposed general rate increase or decrease.
             137          (b) If the commission does not issue a final written order within 240 days after the
             138      public utility submits a complete filing in accordance with Subsection (3)(a):
             139          (i) the public utility's proposed rate increase or decrease is final; and
             140          (ii) the commission may not order a refund of any amount already collected or
             141      returned by the public utility under Subsection (4)(a).

             142          [(3) The following rules apply to the implementation of any proposed rate increase or
             143      decrease filed by a utility or proposed by any other party and to the implementation of any
             144      other increase or decrease in lieu of that proposed by a utility or other party that is determined
             145      to be just and reasonable by the commission.]
             146          [(a) On its own initiative or in response to an application by a public utility or other
             147      party, the commission, after a hearing, may allow any proposed rate increase or decrease, or a
             148      reasonable part of the rate increase or decrease, to take effect, subject to the commission's right
             149      to order a refund or surcharge, upon the filing of the utility's schedules or at any time during
             150      the pendency of the commission's hearing proceedings.]
             151          (4) (a) (i) A request for interim rates shall be made within 90 days after the day on
             152      which a public utility files a complete filing for a general rate increase or a general rate
             153      decrease.
             154          (ii) The commission, on its own initiative or in response to an application by a public
             155      utility or other party, may, after a hearing, allow any rate increase or decrease proposed by a
             156      public utility, or a reasonable part of the rate increase or decrease, to take effect on an interim
             157      basis within 45 days after the day on which the request is filed, subject to the commission's
             158      right to order a refund or surcharge.
             159          (iii) The evidence presented in the hearing held pursuant to this Subsection (4) need
             160      not encompass all issues that may be considered in a rate case hearing held pursuant to
             161      Subsection (2)[(b)](d), but shall establish an adequate prima facie showing that the interim
             162      rate increase or decrease is justified.
             163          (b) [(i) If the] The commission [completes a hearing concerning a utility's revenue
             164      requirement] may, after a hearing, issue a final order before the expiration of 240 [days from
             165      the date the rate increase or decrease proposal is filed, the commission may issue a final order
             166      within that period] days after the day on which the public utility files a complete filing
             167      establishing the utility's revenue requirement and fixing the utility's [interim] allowable rates
             168      before the commission determines the final allocation of the increase or decrease among
             169      categories of customers and classes of service.

             170          [(ii)] (c) (i) If the commission in the commission's final order on a public utility's
             171      revenue requirement finds that the interim increase [order] ordered under Subsection [(3)(a)]
             172      (4)(a)(ii) exceeds the increase finally ordered, the commission shall order the public utility to
             173      refund the excess to customers.
             174          (ii) If the commission in the commission's final order on a public utility's revenue
             175      requirement finds that the interim decrease [order] ordered under Subsection [(3)(a)] (4)(a)(ii)
             176      exceeds the decrease finally ordered, the commission shall order a surcharge to customers to
             177      recover the excess decrease.
             178          [(c) If the commission fails to enter the commission's order granting or revising a
             179      revenue increase within 240 days after the utility's schedules are filed, the rate increase
             180      proposed by the utility is final and the commission may not order a refund of any amount
             181      already collected by the utility under its filed rate increase.]
             182          [(d) (i) When a public utility files a proposed rate increase based upon an increased
             183      cost to the utility for fuel or energy purchased or obtained from independent contractors, other
             184      independent suppliers, or any supplier whose prices are regulated by a governmental agency,
             185      the commission shall issue a tentative order with respect to the proposed increase within ten
             186      days after the proposal is filed, unless it issues a final order with respect to the rate increase
             187      within 20 days after the proposal is filed.]
             188          [(ii) The commission shall hold a public hearing within 30 days after it issues the
             189      tentative order to determine if the proposed rate increase is just and reasonable.]
             190          [(4)] (5) (a) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this title, any schedule,
             191      classification, practice, or rule filed by a public utility with the commission that does not result
             192      in any rate increase shall take effect 30 days after the date of filing or within any lesser time
             193      the commission may grant, subject to its authority after a hearing to suspend, alter, or modify
             194      that schedule, classification, practice, or rule.
             195          (b) When the commission suspends a schedule, classification, practice, or rule, the
             196      commission shall hold a hearing on the schedule, classification, practice, or rule before issuing
             197      its final order.

             198          (c) For purposes of this Subsection [(4)] (5), any schedule, classification, practice, or
             199      rule that introduces a service or product not previously offered may not result in a rate
             200      increase.
             201          [(5) (a)] (6) Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, whenever a public utility
             202      files with the commission any schedule, classification, practice, or rule that does not result in
             203      an increase in any rate, fare, toll, rental, or charge, the schedule, classification, practice, or rule
             204      shall take effect 30 days after the date of filing or at any earlier time the commission may
             205      grant, subject to the authority of the commission, after a hearing, to suspend, alter, or modify
             206      the schedule, classification, practice, or rule.
             207          [(b) (i) Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, whenever a public utility files
             208      with the commission a request for an increase in rates, fares, tolls, rentals, or charges based
             209      solely upon cost increases to the public utility of fuel supplied by an independent contractor or
             210      independent source of supply, the requested increase shall take effect ten days after the filing
             211      of the request with the commission or at any earlier time after the filing of the request as the
             212      commission may by order permit.]
             213          [(ii) The commission shall order the increase to take effect only after a showing has
             214      been made by the public utility to the commission that the increase is justified.]
             215          [(iii) The commission may, after a hearing, suspend, alter, or modify the increase.]
             216          [(6)] (7) This section does not apply to any rate changes of an electrical or telephone
             217      cooperative that meets all of the requirements of this Subsection [(6)] (7).
             218          (a) (i) The cooperative is organized for the purpose of either distributing electricity or
             219      providing telecommunication services to its members and the public at cost.
             220          (ii) "At cost" includes interest costs and a reasonable rate of return as determined by
             221      the cooperative's board of directors.
             222          (b) The cooperative's board of directors and any appropriate agency of the federal
             223      government have approved the rate increase or other rate change and all necessary tariff
             224      revisions reflecting the increased rate or rate change.
             225          (c) Before implementing any rate increases, the cooperative has held a public meeting

             226      for all its customers and members. The cooperative shall mail a notice of the meeting to all of
             227      the cooperative's customers and members not less than ten days prior to the date that the
             228      meeting is held.
             229          (d) The cooperative has filed its tariff revisions reflecting the rate increase or other rate
             230      change with the commission, who shall make the tariffs available for public inspection.
             231          [(7)] (8) Notwithstanding Subsections (2) and [(3)] (4), the procedures for
             232      implementing a proposed rate increase by a telephone corporation having less than 30,000
             233      subscriber access lines in the state are provided in this Subsection [(7)] (8).
             234          (a) (i) The proposed rate increase by a telephone corporation subject to this Subsection
             235      [(7)] (8) may become effective on the day the telephone corporation files with the commission
             236      the proposed tariff revisions and necessary information to support a determination by the
             237      commission that the proposed rate increase is just and reasonable.
             238          (ii) The telephone corporation shall notify the commission and all potentially affected
             239      access line subscribers of the proposed rate increase 30 days before filing the proposed rate
             240      increase or change.
             241          (b) (i) The commission may investigate whether the proposed rate increase is just and
             242      reasonable.
             243          (ii) If the commission determines, after notice and hearing, that the rate increase is
             244      unjust or unreasonable in whole or in part, the commission may establish the rates, charges, or
             245      classifications that the commission finds to be just and reasonable.
             246          (c) The commission shall investigate and hold a hearing to determine whether any
             247      proposed rate increase is just and reasonable if 10% or more of the telephone corporation's
             248      potentially affected access line subscribers file a request for agency action requesting an
             249      investigation and hearing.
             250          Section 3. Section 54-7-13.4 is enacted to read:
             251          54-7-13.4. Alternative cost recovery for major plant addition -- Procedure.
             252          (1) As used in this section:
             253          (a) (i) "Complete filing" means an application filed by a gas corporation or electrical

             254      corporation that substantially complies with minimum filing requirements established by the
             255      commission, by rule, for cost recovery of a major plant addition.
             256          (ii) The commission shall within 180 days after the effective date of this section create
             257      and finalize rules concerning the minimum requirements to be met for an application to be
             258      considered a complete filing.
             259          (b) "In-service date" means the first day that a gas corporation or an electrical
             260      corporation is no longer allowed to accrue an allowance for funds used during construction for
             261      a major plant addition.
             262          (c) "Major plant addition" means any single capital investment project of a gas
             263      corporation or an electrical corporation that in total exceeds 1% of the gas corporation's or
             264      electrical corporation's rate base, based on the gas corporation's or electrical corporation's most
             265      recent general rate case determination, that is:
             266          (i) used to serve Utah customers; and
             267          (ii) assigned or allocated to Utah.
             268          (2) A gas corporation or an electrical corporation may file with the commission a
             269      complete filing for cost recovery of a major plant addition if the commission has, in
             270      accordance with Section 54-7-12 , entered a final order in a general rate case proceeding of the
             271      gas corporation or electrical corporation within 18 months of the projected in-service date of a
             272      major plant addition.
             273          (3) (a) A gas corporation or an electrical corporation may not file for cost recovery of a
             274      major plant addition more than 150 days before the projected in-service date of the major plant
             275      addition.
             276          (b) If the commission determines that the gas corporation or electrical corporation has
             277      not submitted a complete filing for cost recovery of a major plant addition, the commission
             278      shall determine:
             279          (i) what information the electrical corporation or gas corporation needs to provide to
             280      the commission; and
             281          (ii) the materiality of an application deficiency.

             282          (c) With respect to the applicable 90 or 150-day time period under Subsection (4) for
             283      the commission to enter an order as described in Subsection (4)(a)(iii), the commission may:
             284          (i) if the deficiencies are not material:
             285          (A) continue without delay; or
             286          (B) suspend the applicable 90 or 150-day time period and resume when the electrical
             287      corporation or gas corporation has filed the required information; or
             288          (ii) if the deficiencies are material, start the applicable 90 or 150-day time period over
             289      when the electrical corporation or gas corporation has filed the required information.
             290          (4) (a) The commission shall:
             291          (i) review the application for cost recovery of a major plant addition;
             292          (ii) after a hearing, approve, approve with conditions, or deny cost recovery of the
             293      major plant addition; and
             294          (iii) enter an order on cost recovery of a major plant addition within:
             295          (A) 90 days after the day on which a complete filing is made with respect to a
             296      significant energy resource approved by the commission under Section 54-17-302 or resource
             297      decision under Section 54-17-402 ; or
             298          (B) 150 days after the day on which a complete filing is made for any other major
             299      plant addition.
             300          (b) (i) If the commission approves cost recovery of a major plant addition, the
             301      commission shall determine the state's share of projected net revenue requirement impacts of
             302      the major plant addition, including prudently-incurred capital costs and other reasonably
             303      projected costs, savings, and benefits.
             304          (ii) The gas corporation or electrical corporation shall have the burden to prove a
             305      major plant addition's impacts as described in Subsection (4)(b)(i).
             306          (c) If the commission has previously issued an order and approved the major plant
             307      addition as a significant energy resource under Section 54-17-302 or resource decision under
             308      Section 54-17-402 , the commission shall presume the prudence of the utility's capital costs up
             309      to the projected costs specified in the commission's previous significant energy resource order

             310      or resource decision order.
             311          (5) If the commission approves or approves with conditions cost recovery of a major
             312      plant addition, the commission shall do one or all of the following:
             313          (a) subject to Subsection (6)(c), authorize the gas corporation or electrical corporation
             314      to defer the state's share of the net revenue requirement impacts of the major plant addition for
             315      recovery in general rate cases; or
             316          (b) adjust rates or otherwise establish a collection method for the state's share of the
             317      net revenue requirement impacts that will apply to the appropriate billing components.
             318          (6) (a) Deferral or collection of the state's share of the net revenue requirement impacts
             319      of a major plant addition under this section shall commence upon the later of:
             320          (i) the day on which a commission order is issued approving the deferral or collection
             321      amount; or
             322          (ii) the in-service date of the major plant addition.
             323          (b) The deferral described in this section shall terminate upon a final commission
             324      order that provides for recovery in rates of all or any part of the net revenue requirement
             325      impacts of the major plant addition.
             326          (c) If the commission authorizes deferral under Subsection (5)(a), the amount deferred
             327      shall accrue a carrying charge on the net revenue requirement impacts as determined by the
             328      commission.
             329          Section 4. Section 54-7-13.5 is enacted to read:
             330          54-7-13.5. Energy balancing accounts.
             331          (1) As used in this section:
             332          (a) "Base rates" is as defined in Subsection 54-7-12 (1).
             333          (b) "Energy balancing account" means an electrical corporation account for some or
             334      all components of the electrical corporation's incurred actual power costs, including:
             335          (i) (A) fuel;
             336          (B) purchased power; and
             337          (C) wheeling expenses; and

             338          (ii) the sum of the power costs described in Subsection (1)(b)(i) less wholesale
             339      revenues.
             340          (c) "Gas balancing account" means a gas corporation account to recover on a
             341      dollar-for-dollar basis, purchased gas costs, and gas cost-related expenses.
             342          (2) (a) The commission may authorize an electrical corporation to establish an energy
             343      balancing account.
             344          (b) An energy balancing account shall become effective upon a commission finding
             345      that the energy balancing account is:
             346          (i) in the public interest;
             347          (ii) for prudently-incurred costs; and
             348          (iii) implemented at the conclusion of a general rate case.
             349          (c) An electrical corporation:
             350          (i) may, with approval from the commission, recover costs under this section through:
             351          (A) base rates;
             352          (B) contract rates;
             353          (C) surcredits; or
             354          (D) surcharges; and
             355          (ii) shall file a reconciliation of the energy balancing account with the commission at
             356      least annually with actual costs and revenues incurred by the electrical corporation.
             357          (d) An energy balancing account may not alter:
             358          (i) the standard for cost recovery; or
             359          (ii) the electrical corporation's burden of proof.
             360          (e) The collection method described in Subsection (2)(c)(i) shall:
             361          (i) apply to the appropriate billing components in base rates; and
             362          (ii) be incorporated into base rates in an appropriate commission proceeding.
             363          (f) The collection of costs related to an energy balancing account from customers
             364      paying contract rates shall be governed by the terms of the contract.
             365          (g) Revenues collected in excess of prudently incurred actual costs shall:

             366          (i) be refunded as a bill surcredit to an electrical corporation's customers over a period
             367      specified by the commission; and
             368          (ii) include a carrying charge.
             369          (h) Prudently incurred actual costs in excess of revenues collected shall:
             370          (i) be recovered as a bill surcharge over a period to be specified by the commission;
             371      and
             372          (ii) include a carrying charge.
             373          (i) The carrying charge applied to the balance in an energy balancing account shall be:
             374          (i) determined by the commission; and
             375          (ii) symmetrical for over or under collections.
             376          (3) (a) The commission may:
             377          (i) establish a gas balancing account for a gas corporation; and
             378          (ii) set forth procedures for a gas corporation's gas balancing account in the gas
             379      corporation's commission-approved tariff.
             380          (b) A gas balancing account may not alter:
             381          (i) the standard of cost recovery; or
             382          (ii) the gas corporation's burden of proof.
             383          (4) (a) All allowed costs and revenues associated with an energy balancing account or
             384      gas balancing account shall remain in the respective balancing account until charged or
             385      refunded to customers.
             386          (b) The balance of an energy balancing account or gas balancing account may not be:
             387          (i) transferred by the electrical corporation or gas corporation; or
             388          (ii) used by the commission to impute earnings or losses to the electrical corporation
             389      or gas corporation.
             390          (c) An energy balancing account or gas balancing account that is formed and
             391      maintained in accordance with this section does not constitute impermissible retroactive
             392      ratemaking or single-issue ratemaking.
             393          (5) This section does not create a presumption for or against approval of an energy

             394      balancing account.
             395          Section 5. Section 54-7-13.6 is enacted to read:
             396          54-7-13.6. Low-income assistance program.
             397          (1) As used in this section, "eligible customer" means an electrical corporation or a gas
             398      corporation customer:
             399          (a) that earns no more than:
             400          (i) 125% of the federal poverty level; or
             401          (ii) another percentage of the federal poverty level as determined by the commission
             402      by order; and
             403          (b) whose eligibility is certified by the Utah Department of Community and Culture.
             404          (2) A customer's income eligibility for the program described in this section shall be
             405      renewed annually.
             406          (3) An eligible customer may not receive assistance at more than one residential
             407      location at any one time.
             408          (4) Notwithstanding Section 54-3-8 , the commission may approve a low-income
             409      assistance program to provide bill payment assistance to low-income residential customers of:
             410          (a) an electrical corporation with more than 50,000 customers; or
             411          (b) a gas corporation with more than 50,000 customers.
             412          (5) (a) (i) Subject to Subsection (5)(a)(ii), low-income assistance program funding
             413      from each rate class may be in an amount determined by the commission.
             414          (ii) Low-income assistance program funding described in Subsection (5)(a)(i) may not
             415      exceed 0.5% of the rate class's retail revenues.
             416          (b) (i) Low-income assistance program funding for bill payment assistance shall be
             417      provided through a surcharge on the monthly bill of each Utah retail customer of the electrical
             418      corporation or gas corporation providing the program.
             419          (ii) The surcharge described in Subsection (5)(b)(i) may not be collected from
             420      customers currently participating in the low-income assistance program.
             421          (c) (i) Subject to Subsection (c)(ii), the monthly surcharge described in Subsection

             422      (5)(b)(i) shall be calculated as an equal percentage of revenues from all rate schedules.
             423          (ii) The monthly surcharge described in Subsection (5)(b)(i) may not exceed $50 per
             424      month for any customer, adjusted periodically as the commission determines appropriate for
             425      inflation.
             426          (6) (a) An eligible customer shall receive a billing credit on the monthly electric or gas
             427      bill for the customer's residence.
             428          (b) The amount of the billing credit described in Subsection (6)(a) shall be determined
             429      by the commission based on:
             430          (i) the projected funding of the low-income assistance program;
             431          (ii) the projected customer participation in the low-income assistance program; and
             432          (iii) other factors that the commission determines relevant.
             433          (c) The monthly billing credit and the monthly surcharge shall be adjusted
             434      concurrently with the final order in a general rate increase or decrease case under Section
             435      54-7-12 for the electrical corporation or gas corporation providing the program or as
             436      determined by the commission.
             437          Section 6. Section 54-7-14.5 is enacted to read:
             438          54-7-14.5. Rescission or amendment of orders or decisions.
             439          (1) The commission may, at any time after providing an affected utility notice and an
             440      opportunity to be heard, rescind, alter, or amend any order or decision made by the
             441      commission.
             442          (2) An order rescinding, altering, or amending an original commission order or
             443      decision shall have the same effect on the public utility as the original order or decision.
             444          Section 7. Repealer.
             445          This bill repeals:
             446          Section 54-7-13, Rescission or amendment of orders or decisions.
             447          Section 8. Effective date.
             448          If approved by two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, this bill takes effect
             449      upon approval by the governor, or the day following the constitutional time limit of Utah

             450      Constitution Article VII, Section 8, without the governor's signature, or in the case of a veto,
             451      the date of veto override.
             452          Section 9. Revisor instructions.
             453          It is the intent of the Legislature that, in preparing the Utah Code database for
             454      publication, the Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel shall replace the reference
             455      in Subsections 54-7-12 (1)(b)(ii) and 54-7-13.4 (1)(a)(ii) from "the effective date of this
             456      section" with the bill's actual effective date.

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