Committee backs substitute tightening standard for PSC rate approvals

The Senate Economic Development Committee voted to report the committee substitute for Senate Bill 669 to the full Senate with the recommendation that it pass and that it first be referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

Legislative counsel told the committee the substitute would amend the Public Service Commission statute to prohibit the PSC from approving any increase in rates, charges or other costs paid by retail ratepayers unless the PSC finds, based on substantial evidence in the record, that the increase is reasonably proportionate to the benefits ratepayers can expect to receive. Counsel described the substitute as codifying current PSC procedure and said the committee substitute removes language from the introduced version that raised a potential commerce clause conflict.

When asked by a senator identified as the senator from Randolph whether any constitutional issues remained, counsel answered there were none. After no amendments were offered, the vice chair moved the substitute be reported to the full Senate, and the committee approved the motion.

The committee’s action sends the committee substitute to the full Senate and the Judiciary Committee for further consideration.