Subcommittee approves referral for bill to raise Public Utility Commission fee cap from 0.45% to 0.55%

May 22 — The Transportation and Economic Development Subcommittee voted to move House Bill 2,370 to the full Ways and Means Committee with a do-pass recommendation. HB 2,370 would raise the statutory cap on the fee the Public Utility Commission may assess regulated electric, gas and water utilities from 0.45 percent to 0.55 percent of a utility’s Oregon‑based gross operating revenue; the change would not apply to telecommunications providers.

LFO staff said the fee supports the Public Utility Commission’s operating budget and that the proposed statutory increase would give the commission flexibility to better align revenue with growing responsibilities — including oversight of clean-energy programs, wildfire mitigation and infrastructure resilience — and manage rising operating costs without immediately increasing assessments. LFO estimated a potential increase in other‑funds revenue of about $13.7 million for the 2025–27 biennium if the full 0.55 percent rate were implemented, though no fee increase is planned as of the work session and any future change would require legislative review.

Co Chair Gomberg moved HB 2,370 to the full committee with a do‑pass recommendation; the motion passed on the committee’s vote. Committee members volunteered carriers for the full committee: Senator Gomberg agreed to carry it in the Senate and Representative Winn agreed to carry it in the House.

The subcommittee’s action was referral with recommendation; no statutory change occurred at the work session. The LFO recommendation and revenue assumptions will be considered by Ways and Means Full Committee if the bill advances.