Section 18A. The commission may make an assessment against each steam distribution company under the jurisdictional control of the department. Each steam distribution company shall annually report by March 31 its intrastate operating revenues for the previous calendar year to the department. The assessments shall be apportioned according to each steam distribution company's intrastate operating revenues, to produce an annual amount not greater than $600,000, as shall be determined and certified annually by the commission as sufficient to reimburse the commonwealth for funds appropriated by the general court for the operation and general administration of the department and for the cost of fringe benefits as established by the commissioner of administration under section 5D of chapter 29, including group life and health insurance, retirement benefits, paid vacations, holidays and sick leave.
Each company shall pay the amount assessed against it within 30 days after receipt of the notice of assessment from the department. Such assessments collected by the department shall be credited to the General Fund. Any funds unexpended in any fiscal year for the purposes for which such assessments were made shall be credited against the assessment to be made in the following fiscal year and the assessment in the following fiscal year shall be reduced by any such unexpended amount.
Structure Massachusetts General Laws
Part I - Administration of the Government
Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth
Chapter 25 - Department of Public Utilities
Section 1 - Department of Public Utilities; Seal
Section 1a - Department Priorities
Section 2a - Energy Advisory Board; Membership; Duties
Section 3 - Commissioners; Oath; Interests in Regulated Industry Companies
Section 4 - Chairman of Commission; Powers and Duties; Hearings; Investigations; Reports
Section 4b - Authority of Commissioner Upon Declaration of State of Emergency
Section 5 - Rulings; Orders; Appeal; Costs; Staying Enforcement; Burden of Proof; Evidence
Section 5a - Witnesses; Summonses; Subpoenas; Fees
Section 5b - Rules and Regulations
Section 5c - Hazardous Materials; Rail Transportation Regulations
Section 5d - Trade Secrets, Confidential Information; Protection From Disclosure; Burden of Proof
Section 7 - Duties Relative to Common Carriers; Employees; Division of Railroad Track Inspection
Section 8 - Duties Relative to Common Carriers; Expenditures
Section 9 - Duties Relative to Water, Gas and Electric Companies; Expenditures; Employees
Section 10 - Officers and Employees; Supervision and Control
Section 12f - Transportation Division; Director; Assistants
Section 12g - Transportation Division; Investigations and Inquiries
Section 12n - Facility Siting Division
Section 12o - Department of Telecommunications and Energy Trust Fund
Section 12p - Department of Public Utilities Storm Trust Fund
Section 12q - Department of Public Utilities Energy Facilities Siting Board Trust Fund
Section 12r - Department of Public Utilities Unified Carrier Registration Trust Fund
Section 22 - Energy Efficiency Advisory Council; Membership; Duties; Quarterly Report to Council