129th MAINE LEGISLATURE
		LD 1559		LR 2307(02)
	An Act To Require the Public Utilities Commission To Open an Investigation Whenever It Initiates a Management Audit
	Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment " "
	Committee: Energy, Utilities and Technology
	Fiscal Note Required: Yes
Fiscal Note
Potential current biennium cost increase - Other Special Revenue Funds Potential current biennium revenue increase - Other Special Revenue Funds
Fiscal Detail and Notes
	This bill requires that the Public Utilities Commission provide the Office of the Public Advocate (OPA) with access to certain information in connection with a management audit of a public utility and to provide the OPA with the opportunity to comment on the information received. The OPA has indicated that having access to this information may necessitate the hiring of a consultant to assist with the evaluation of the technical aspects of the management audit. The OPA is funded by an assessment set to produce sufficient revenue to fund allocations for operating the OPA. Any increased allocations required from this bill can be created by financial order and will require a corresponding increase in revenue to the Public Advocate Regulatory Fund from the assessment on the intrastate gross operating revenues of utilities and qualified telecommunications providers.