SB250 Alabama 2011 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Paul Sanford

Republican

Co-Sponsors

Scott BeasonShadrack McGillPaul BussmanBill HoltzclawClay ScofieldGerald O. DialTom WhatleyMark Slade Blackwell

Session

Regular Session 2011

Title

Public Service Commission, inspection and supervision fees, portion distrib. to General Fund, Sec. 37-4-23 am'd.

Summary

SB250 changes how the Public Service Commission's inspection and supervision fees are distributed, moving to a 50/50 split between the State General Fund and the PSC's operating fund, with certain funds reserved for the gas pipeline safety fund, effective October 1, 2011.

What This Bill Does

The bill keeps the fee calculation based on utilities' gross receipts and quarterly payments. It changes the distribution so half of the collected fees go to the State General Fund and half go to the PSC's operating fund, with exceptions for funds designated for the gas pipeline safety fund under existing law. The money collected is paid to the treasurer and then distributed to the two funds, and those funds are used to cover the PSC's regulatory expenses, staff, and travel as needed. The payment rules remain governed by Section 37-4-24 and the effect starts October 1, 2011.

Who It Affects

• Utilities doing business in Alabama and subject to PSC oversight: they will continue paying quarterly inspection and supervision fees, but the revenue will now be split between the General Fund and the PSC's operating fund (with exceptions for the gas pipeline safety fund).
• State entities and funds: the State General Fund and the PSC's operating fund will receive half of the fee revenue, while funds designated for the gas pipeline safety fund under Section 37-4-88 will be handled separately as specified.

Key Provisions

• Provision 1: Amends Section 37-4-23 to change the distribution of inspection and supervision fees to 50% to the State General Fund and 50% to the PSC's operating fund, with exceptions for funds identified in Section 37-4-88 designated for the gas pipeline safety fund.
• Provision 2: Fees collected are to be paid to the treasurer and distributed to the General Fund and the PSC operating fund as described, with the gas pipeline safety funds treated per existing law.
• Provision 3: The PSC may employ assistants and pay related travel and incidental expenses from the operating fund to support regulation, subject to merit system rules.
• Provision 4: Payment of the supervision and inspection fees remains governed by Section 37-4-24.
• Provision 5: The act becomes effective October 1, 2011.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Public Service Commission