Agenda Packets - 1997/03/24 - Laserfiche WebLink

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their ad valorem personal property taxes in their electric rates. The bill would also provide an exemption from the personal property tax for tools, implements, and machinery which are part of an electric generating system and initially assessed after January 2, 1997. This bill was heard on • Tuesday, March 18 and will be further debated before it is voted on, Thursday, March 20 at 12:30 p.m. H.F. 1299, introduced by Rep Loren Jennings (DFL-Rush City) and referred to the House Regulated Industries and Energy committee, would rename the "electric energy task force" the "legislative commission on utility competition" and reorganize its membership. By February 15, 1998,the commission would present recommendations to the legislature regarding whether and how to proceed in restructuring the electric industry. The bill was heard, passed with minor amendments, and re-referred to the Environment and Natural Resources committee on Tuesday, March 18. H.F. 1464, introduced by Rep. Al Juhnke (DFL- Willmar) and referred to the Regulated Industries and Energy committee,would authorize municipal utilities and rural electric cooperatives to form joint ventures for the provision of utility services. H.F. 1525, introduced by Rep. Loren Jennings (DFL-Rush City) and referred to the Regulated Industries and Energy committee,would require electric utilities entering into customer-specific rates, terms, or service conditions contracts to file for approval with the Public Utilities Commission. Discretionary rate reductions for tariffed electric services to eligible customers would be permitted, subject to Commission approval. • S.F. 1344, introduced by Senator Kenric Scheevel (R-Preston) and referred to the Jobs, Energy, and Community Development committee, would require the Department of Public Service to study retail wheeling and electric utility restructuring and report to the legislature by February 1, 1998. The study would be funded by assessments to the state's electric utilities, not to exceed at total of $100,000. The bill would also require the Public Utilities Commission to establish procedures to review and approve tariffs for rates that would foster economic development and retain existing industrial companies, applicable until 2002.. S.F. 1348, introduced by Senator Mark Ourada(R-Buffalo) and referred to the Jobs, Energy, and Community Development committee, would require electric utilities to submit plans to restructure themselves into three separate entities (providing generation,transmission, or distribution services) by January 1, 1999 with Public Utilities Commission approval or modification by December 31, 1999, require a retail wheeling study by the Department of Public Service and report to the legislature by December 1, 1998, require the Public Utilities Commission to establish a retail wheeling pilot program conducted from October 1, 1997 to September 30, 1998 and report to the legislature by December 1, 1998, and mandate retail wheeling for all Minnesota customers by January 1, 2001. Prepared by: Andrea Atherton