Section 393.297 - Purpose of sections 393.298 to 393.3021. It is the intent of the general assembly through the passage of this act*: (1) To maintain a fair and equitable tax structure and to preserve the local tax base by requiring all persons who provide electricity or gas service to pay an equitable share; and(2) To equalize the amount of business taxes, franchise fees and payments in lieu of taxes on competing suppliers of electricity and gas service.(3) To restore to political subdivisions revenue sources that existed prior to any previously implemented gas industry restructuring.(4) To remove disparities in the liability of natural gas suppliers for business taxes, franchise fees, and payments in lieu of taxes, which disparities have arisen as a result of any previously implemented gas industry restructuring.2. Political subdivisions provide police, fire and public health services, including the inspection of gas and electric equipment and other facilities used in the consumption of gas and electricity. Political subdivisions impose license taxes, franchise fees and sales taxes on providers of electricity and gas services, and require payments in lieu of taxes from publicly owned utilities in order to pay for these and other services related to the transportation, use and consumption of electricity and gas services and for the general operation of government.3. Missouri has historically restricted competition with respect to electricity and gas services by authorizing the Missouri public service commission to limit the number of providers and has allowed political subdivisions to require franchises for these services. Persons entering the gas and electric markets within Missouri receive substantial revenues from consumers in Missouri, thereby creating a purposeful economic presence in this state. In addition, these persons may also cause electricity and gas to be transported over rights-of-way and utility easements and may use electric lines or gas lines which are owned, controlled and maintained by other public and private entities in this state. Unless all participants in the electricity and gas markets pay comparable taxes and fees, there will be significant tax and franchise fee revenue losses by political subdivisions and unfair competitive disparities among such participants.4. The legislature finds that electricity and gas are essential, but potentially dangerous, commodities in modern society. The electricity transmission and distribution system is an interconnected and interdependent grid. Therefore, the legislature finds that it is in the interest of public health and safety to require registration of all sellers of electricity and gas for use or consumption within Missouri.5. It is not the intent of this act* to regulate the transportation of natural gas, methane, or propane in interstate commerce to the extent that such regulation is preempted by the Constitution of the United States.L. 1998 S.B. 627
Effective 7/10/1998