AN ACT relating to universal gas and electricity service.
     Create new sections of KRS Chapter 278 to provide definitions for a universal low income energy assistance program; to establish and prescribe the duties for a Universal Service Advisory Council that will work with the Public Service Commission to create a universal low income energy assistance program; to establish a Universal Energy Deposit Fund that will receive moneys that will support universal low income energy assistance programs and prescribe requirements for disbursements from the fund; to require the Public Service Commission to impose a surcharge on the electric and gas utility bills of distribution utility customers served by universal energy programs; to require that the surcharge be itemized separately on customer bills except under specific circumstances; to require the Public Service Commission to promulgate administrative regulations to determine the amount of the surcharge; to require the Public Service Commission to promulgate administrative regulations establishing eligibility requirements and other procedures for applying for funding from the Universal Energy Deposit Fund; to permit the Public Service Commission to contract with a third party for the administration of the universal energy program; to require the Public Service Commission to order distribution utilities to establish a universal service rate discount for eligible low-income households within their service territory, if the territory has areas not served by a low-income assistance program that subsidizes gas or electric utility bills; amend KRS 278.030 to allow utilities to establish separate rate subclassifications of the residential rate class that are based on characteristics other than usage; amend KRS 278.160 to remove the requirement that utilities file tariff schedules for special rate classes that are established to reduce the cost of utility service to low income households and to allow utilities to charge a rate that is less than the rate prescribed in the filed tariff schedule if the rate is part of a universal energy program or low-income assistance program approved by the Public Service Commission; amend KRS 278.170 to permit a utility, with the approval of the Public Service Commission, to establish a reduced rate for customers that are eligible for low income energy assistance.

     Feb 3-introduced in Senate
     Feb 7-to Agriculture and Natural Resources (S)