FORTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATUREHB 8/a

FIRST SPECIAL SESSION, 2005

October 7, 2005

Madam President:

    Your FINANCE COMMITTEE, to whom has been referred

HOUSE BILL 8, as amended

has had it under consideration and reports same with recommendation that it DO PASS, amended as follows:

    1. Strike House Appropriations and Finance Committee Amendments 4 and 5.

    2. On page 1, line 12, after the first semicolon, insert "PROHIBITING DISCONNECTION OF CERTAIN UTILITY SERVICES FOR LIMITED TIME PERIODS;".

    3. On page 1, line 22, after "is" insert "subject to appropriation by the legislature".

    4. On page 2, between lines 6 and 7, insert the following new section:

    "Section 2. PROHIBITION--DISCONNECTION OF UTILITY SERVICES--LIMITED TIME PERIOD.--A utility company that provides electricity or gas shall not discontinue or disconnect service to a residence for any billing cycle during the months of December, January and February in fiscal years 2006 and 2007 due to the inability of the residential customer to make payment for electric or gas service. The utility company providing electric or gas service shall assist residential customers who continue to receive service during these months under this section with development of a payment plan based on the customer's ability to pay.".

    5. Renumber the succeeding sections accordingly.

    6. On page 2, line 11, strike the money amount and insert in lieu thereof "twenty three million dollars ($23,000,000)".

    7. On page 2, lines 14 and 15, strike the money amount and insert in lieu thereof "four million dollars ($4,000,000)".

    8. On page 2, line 16, after the semicolon insert "provided that this appropriation may be expended in fiscal years 2006 and 2007;".

    9. On page 2, strike lines 20 through 22 and insert in lieu thereof:

             "(4) four million dollars ($4,000,000) to the public education department for increased heating costs for public schools;

             (5) three million dollars ($3,000,000) to the public education department for increased school transportation costs for public schools;

             (6) four million five hundred thousand dollars ($4,500,000) to the higher education department for utilities and fuel costs of public post-secondary educational institutions, to be distributed to each institution on a pro rata basis of the difference between fiscal year 2005 actual expenditures for those items and the fiscal year 2006 projections of expenditures as of October 5, 2005;

             (7) two million dollars ($2,000,000) to the state fire marshal to be divided among the volunteer and predominantly volunteer fire departments to be used for fuel and related vehicle repair or maintenance; provided that the division shall be based on ten percent of each department's current-year distribution from the fire protection fund; and

             (8) two million dollars ($2,000,000) to the local government division of the department of finance and administration to be divided equally among all county sheriff offices to be used for fuel and related vehicle repair or maintenance.".

    10. On page 2, line 23, strike "Any" and insert in lieu thereof "Except as otherwise provided in Subsection A of this section, any".

                               Respectfully submitted,

                               __________________________________

                               Joseph A. Fidel, Chairman

Adopted_______________________ Not Adopted_______________________

          (Chief Clerk) (Chief Clerk)

                  Date ________________________

The roll call vote was 10 For 0 Against

Yes:      10

No:       0

Excused: None

Absent:   None

HB0008FC1                                                  .158895.1

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