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Public Utilities Commission seeks modest dedicated funding for vehicle and IT replacements; pay adjustment requires separate bill
Summary
The Public Utilities Commission asked the committee for dedicated funds to replace an inspection truck and modernize IT hardware; the commission also requested ongoing pay adjustments for its three commissioners, which the analyst said require separate legislation.
Kellen McGurkin, budget and policy analyst, presented the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) budget to the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee on Feb. 28. He told members the commission is funded from a dedicated Public Utilities Commission Fund, supported by fees on regulated utilities.
McGurkin described three requests in the FY26 package: an ongoing pay change for the three commissioners (the analyst noted salaries are not statutorily set and do not automatically receive CEC adjustments, and that any change requires separate action by the legislature); $40,500 in appropriations for a replacement truck used for pipeline safety inspections; and $73,600 in one-time dedicated funds for IT hardware and software (fusion document management licenses, wireless access point replacements and hardware maintenance). McGurkin said the truck to be replaced was initially required in 2015 and that mileage was noted at the time of the budget submission.
Representative Handy moved the request for $114,100 in dedicated funds (vehicle replacement plus IT items). Senator Hart seconded. The motion passed unanimously in both committee panels and will be sent to the floor with a due-pass recommendation.
Ending: McGurkin and committee members noted that the commissioners' pay issue will need germane legislation and is not being handled through the appropriation motion before the committee; the appropriation for vehicle and IT replacements was advanced by unanimous consent.
