Appropriates $6,682,600 to the Public Utilities Commission for fiscal year 2019; limits the number of authorized full-time equivalent positions to 52.00; and increases the salaries of the Public Utilities Commissioners.

This is the FY 2019 original appropriation bill for the Public Utilities Commission. It appropriates $6,682,600 and caps the number of authorized full-time equivalent positions at 52.00. For benefit costs, the bill removes $1,450 per eligible FTP to bring the annual employer contribution for health insurance down to $11,650 by including a two-month employee and employer premium holiday, adds a 6.8% increase for life insurance, and adjusts funding for workers' compensation in amounts that vary by agency. Inflationary adjustments include $9,800 for a 3% increase for leased office space. Funding for replacement items includes $91,900 for laptops, printers, a server, office furniture, IT equipment maintenance, and software renewals. For statewide cost allocation, $49,700 is provided, as Attorney General fees will increase by $48,000, fees for Legislative Audits will increase by $2,000, risk management costs will decrease by $900, and State Controller fees will increase by $600. The bill also provides funding for a 3% ongoing merit-based salary increase for permanent employees, to be distributed at the discretion of the agency head, and a 3% increase in the compensation schedule. The bill funds one line item, which provides $11,400 for a 3% salary increase for each of the three Public Utilities Commissioners. Section 3 of the bill amends Section 61-215, Idaho Code, to statutorily raise the Public Utilities Commissioners' annual salary to $106,868, to allow for the 3% increase.