ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Phoenix, Arizona
residential utility consumer
board
Purpose
Repeals the statutes
relating to the Residential Utility Consumer Board.
Background
In 1999, the Office of the
Auditor General (OAG) conducted a performance audit of both the Residential
Utility Consumer Office (RUCO) and the Residential Utility Consumer Board
(Board). In its findings, OAG found
RUCO is often successful at having its position adopted by the Arizona
Corporation Commission and limiting rate increases for residential
consumers. The audit report also
included a finding that the Board has not effectively fulfilled the
requirements of its statutory mandates, which include advising RUCO on all
matters relating to rate making, advising the Governor and the Legislature on
all matters relating to RUCO, directing RUCO to withdraw from any court action
and jointly preparing the annual budget.
During the 2000 legislative
session, two bills were introduced, one to continue RUCO (H.B. 2239) and one to
continue the Board (H.B. 2240). H.B. 2239 was passed by the Legislature and
signed by the Governor (Chapter 325) continuing RUCO for ten years, while the
bill continuing the Board was held in the House of Representatives, effectively
terminating the Board. Statutes
relating to the Board would have been automatically repealed when the Board was
terminated but since RUCO and the Board share statutes, the Board’s were
extended when RUCO was continued. As they are no longer necessary, S.B. 1049
removes all statutory references to the Board.
There is no fiscal impact to
the state general fund associated with this measure.
Provisions
1. Repeals statutes relating to the Residential Utility Consumer Board.
2. Makes conforming changes.
3. Provides for a general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Staff
January 15, 2001