SENATE President Edith Deleon Guerrero and House Speaker Edmund S. Villagomez named the members of a bicameral conference committee that will draft a version of the Commonwealth Public Utilities compensation bill that is acceptable to both chambers.
The Senate conferees are Sen. Paul A. Manglona, Sen. Jude U. Hofschneider, Senate Floor Leader Corina Magofna and Sen. Celina Babauta as alternate member.
The House conferees are Rep. Vincent S. Aldan, Rep. Diego Vincent Camacho, Rep. Manny Gregory T. Castro and Rep. Marissa Flores as alternate member.
Authored by Aldan, H.B. 23-97 would create a revolving fund to allow CPUC to handle its own expenses, including monthly compensation for its members. It proposes to compensate the CPUC chair $1,000 a month, and the commissioners, $800 a month, and allow the commission to hire an executive director and staff members.
The House passed H.B. 23-97 on March 28, 2024, while the Senate passed its own version of the bill on Aug. 8, 2024. The Senate version would allow either the Senate or the House to approve the CPUC budget through a resolution, while the House version would require the commission to submit its budget to the Legislature for information purposes only.
On Aug. 30, 2024, the House rejected the Senate version of the bill.
CPUC is an independent regulatory agency whose five members are appointed by the governor with the consent of both houses of the Legislature.
CPUC is empowered to regulate all matters pertaining to the formation, operation, and/or direction of a regulated entity.
Under the law, moreover, the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. cannot implement rates and other charges for utility services without prior approval of CPUC. This also includes procurement contracts.
