REFUSE UTILITY REGULATIONS

Plain English Breakdown

The official source confirms the bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, but does not show if it has been signed by the governor or vetoed.

Simplified Rate Filing Rules for Refuse Utilities

This bill requires the Regulatory Commission of Alaska to create rules that allow garbage and trash collection companies to adjust their prices using a simpler filing process.

What This Bill Does

• Requires the Regulatory Commission of Alaska to adopt regulations setting price adjustment ranges for refuse utilities through a simplified rate filing procedure.
• Allows refuse utilities to apply to adjust their rates over time if they follow these new regulations.
• Mandates that the commission grant rate adjustment applications when utilities meet all regulatory requirements.
• Requires specific rules ensuring sufficient public notice and an opportunity for customers to meaningfully comment on proposed price changes.
• Gives the commission power to review how this process works at reasonable intervals, revoke permission if needed, or require corrections.

Who It Names or Affects

• Refuse utilities that collect and dispose of garbage, trash, or other waste material for payment in Alaska.
• The Regulatory Commission of Alaska, which must create new rules and approve rate changes.
• Ratepayers who pay for refuse services and have the right to comment on price filings.

Terms To Know

Refuse utility

A company that collects and disposes of garbage, trash, or other waste material from the public in exchange for payment.

Simplified rate filing procedure

A process created by regulations that allows utilities to adjust their prices over a set period without needing a full hearing if they meet specific requirements.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill does not list the specific price ranges or exact steps for the simplified filing process because those details will be in future commission rules.
• While the law takes effect immediately, no specific calendar date is provided in this text.

Official Summary Text

REFUSE UTILITY REGULATIONS
An Act relating to a simplified rate filing procedure for refuse utility rate adjustments; relating to Regulatory Commission of Alaska regulations regarding refuse utilities; and providing for an effective date.

Current Bill Text

SB0016A -1- SB 16
New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED]

34-LS0167\A

SENATE BILL NO. 16

IN THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA

THIRTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE - FIRST SESSION

BY SENATOR MYERS

Introduced: 1/22/25
Referred: Labor and Commerce, State Affairs

A BILL

FOR AN ACT ENTITLED

"An Act relating to a simplified rate filing procedure for refuse utility rate adjustments; 1
relating to Regulatory Commission of Alaska regulations regardi ng refuse utilities; and 2
providing for an effective date." 3
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA: 4
* Section 1. AS 42.05.381(e) is amended to read: 5
(e) The commission shall adopt r egulations for electric cooper atives, [AND 6
FOR] local exchange telephone utilities , and refuse utilities, setting a range for 7
adjustment of rates by a simplified rate filing procedure. A co operative, [ O R ] 8
telephone utility, or refuse utility may apply for permission to adjust its rates over a 9
period of time under the simplifie d rate filing procedure regul ations. The commission 10
shall grant the appli cation if the cooperative , [OR] telephone utility , or refuse utility 11
satisfies the requirement s of the regulations. The commission shall adopt 12
regulations specific to refuse utilities that provide for suffi cient public notice and 13
an opportunity for ratepayers to m e a n i n g f u l l y c o m m e n t o n r a t e filings. The 14
34-LS0167\A
SB 16 -2- SB0016A
New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED]

commission may review implementation of the simplified rate fil ing procedure at 1
reasonable intervals and may revoke permission to use the proce dure or require 2
modification of the rates to correct an error. In this subsection, "refuse utility" 3
means a utility furnishing collection and disposal service of g arbage, refuse, 4
trash, or other waste material to the public for compensation. 5
* Sec. 2. This Act takes effect immediately under AS 01.10.070(c). 6