HB 17-1323

HB 17-1323, a Colorado bill that has been signed into law, aims to enhance ethics and consumer protection by setting stricter rules for who can serve on the Public Utilities Commission (PUC). It prevents individuals from joining the PUC if they have worked as an officer or director at a regulated utility within the last four years or hold any financial interest in such utilities. The bill also requires the PUC to keep audio records of its meetings available online and allows for performance audits by the state auditor. Additionally, it directs the commission to create rules about conflicts of interest and ex parte communications. This law affects current and future members of the PUC as well as their operations, ensuring more transparency and accountability in utility regulation.

Official Summary

Section 2 of the bill prohibits a person from serving on the public utilities commission if he or she: Has, within the immediately preceding 4 years, served as an officer or director of a regulated utility; or Has or acquires any official relation to, or financial interest in, a regulated utility. 'Financial interest' does not include passive ownership of stocks through a mutual fund or similar vehicle. Section 3 encourages the director of the commission to assign employees to temporary training and development sessions with other state agencies, particularly those with which the commission has frequent interaction, to improve the employees' substantive expertise and familiarity with the operations of those agencies. Section 3 also requires the director to keep audio records of the commission's proceedings and make them publicly available online. In addition, section 3 expressly authorizes the executive director of the department of regulatory agencies (of which the commission is a part) to request that the state auditor conduct performance audits of the commission and its staff and operations. Section 5 directs the commission to adopt rules concerning conflicts of interest, incompatible activities, and ex parte communications to govern the conduct of commission members, staff, and administrative law judges. Sections 1 and 4 make conforming amendments. Section 6 appropriates $22,812 to the department of regulatory agencies for legal services.(Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)

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