Arizona Corporation Commission Annual Report for Fiscal Year 2001-2002 Creating a better Arizona for investors, ratepayers, businesses and consumers 1 Commissioners William A. “Bill” Mundell, Chairman Jim Irvin, Commissioner Marc Spitzer, Commissioner Executive Secretary Brian C. McNeil Division Directors Administration Michael Kearns Utilities Ernest Johnson Corporations Joanne MacDonnell Hearing Lyn Farmer Securities Mark Sendrow Legal Christopher Kempley Main Office 1200 West Washington Phoenix, AZ 85007 Adjunct Offices 1300 & 1400 West Washington Phoenix, AZ 85007 Southern Arizona Office 400 West Congress Street Tucson, AZ 85701 Services: Commissioners’ Wing Executive Secretary Administration Legislative Liaison Public Information Hearings Utilities Legal Services: Corporations Securities Services: Corporations Hearings Utilities Important Phone Numbers Commissioners’ Wing ..................................................... 602-542-2237 Consumer Services -- Utilities ....................................... 602-542-4251 Consumer Services -- Corporations ............................. 602-542-3026 Consumer Services -- Securities .................................... 602-542-4242 Docket Control ................................................................ 602-542-3477 Southern Arizona Office ................................................ 520-628-6554 Listen Line (live audio of hearings/open meetings) . 602-542-0222 2 Table of Contents ................................ 2 Mission ................................................... 3 About the Commission ....................... 3 Commissioners ..................................... 4 Executive Secretary .............................. 5 Administration Division ...................... 6 Legal Division ....................................... 8 Utilities Division ................................. 11 Corporations Division ....................... 18 Securities Division .............................. 21 Hearing Division ................................ 24 Appendix ............................................. 26 Financial Data ..................................... 26 Commissioners Since Statehood...... 28 Southern Arizona Office ................... 29 About the Commission The Arizona Corporation Commission was created by the Arizona Constitution. Only seven states have constitutionally formed Commissions. Arizona is one of only 13 states with elected Commissioners. In the 37 other states, Commissioners are appointed by either the governor or the legislature. In most states, the Commission is known as the Public Service Commission or the Public Utility Commission. However, in Arizona the Commission oversees the process of incorporating or registering a company to do business in the state, registers and oversees securities offerings and dealers and enforces railroad and pipeline safety. By virtue of the Arizona Constitution, the Commissioners function in an executive capacity; they adopt rules and regulations thereby functioning in a legislative capacity; and they also act in a judicial capacity sitting as a tribunal and making decisions in contested matters. The Commission is required by the Arizona Constitution to maintain its chief office in Phoenix and it is required by law to conduct monthly meetings. Organization Mission To exercise exclusive state regulatory authority over public service corporations (public utilities) in the public interest; to grant corporate status and maintain public records; to ensure the integrity of the securities marketplace; and to foster the safe operation of railroads and gas pipelines in Arizona. The Corporation Commission is composed of three Commissioners elected by the people of Arizona for a six-year term, with one Commissioner standing for election every two years. In the case of a vacancy, the Governor appoints a Commissioner to serve until the next general election. In the 2000 General Election, the Arizona Corporation Commission was the subject of a ballot proposition seeking to expand the Commission by two seats. Voters approved Proposition 103, which expands the Commission to a total of five members and changes their terms to four-year terms with the option of serving for two consecutive terms. The new Commissioners will be elected in the 2002 General Election and will initially serve only a two-year term. Ultimate responsibility for final decisions on granting or denying rate adjustments, enforcing safety and public service requirements, and approving securities matters rests with the Commissioners. The administrative head of the Commission is the Executive Secretary who serves at the pleasure of the Commissioners. He is responsible to the Commissioners for the day to day operations of all Divisions. The Commission staff is organized into six Divisions. The authority and responsibilities of these divisions is described in detail in this Annual Report. All Divisions are headed by a Division Director who reports to the Executive Secretary. 3 Chairman William Mundell Chairman Mundell was born at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage, Alaska. He came to Arizona from Illinois in 1968 with his parents. He graduated from Arizona State University with a degree in political science in 1974 and he earned his Juris Doctor degree from St. Mary's University in San Antonio, Texas in 1977. Commissioner Mundell has been in private practice as an attorney in Chandler, Arizona since 1977, except from 1980 to 1986 when he served as the Presiding Judge of the Chandler Municipal Court. Mundell was first elected in 1986 to the Arizona House of Representatives, where he served from 1987 to 1992. As chairman of the House Environment Committee, he sponsored numerous pieces of legislation protecting Arizona's environment, including the state's first recycling law. During his tenure at the legislature, he was voted "One Commissioner Jim Irvin Commissioner Irvin graduated from the University of Southern California with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education, and earned a Masters degree in Business Administration from Loyola Marymount University. Prior to joining the Commission, Irvin spent over 20 years in the private sector, serving as a CEO to a company with over 1,000 employees in California, Arizona, Nevada and New Mexico. 4 Currently, Irvin serves on the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) Committee on Electricity, Committee on International Relations, the Advisory Council for the Center for Public Utilities at New Mexico State University, as well as serving on the Board of Directors for the Water Infrastructure Financing Authority (WIFA). Irvin was elected by his peers as Vice President and President-elect 2002 for the Western Conference of Public Service Commissioners of Arizona's Top 10 Legislators." He was a candidate for the United States Congress in 1992. Chairman Mundell has served as a Judge Pro Tem on the Maricopa County Superior Court. A strong believer in community service, Mundell has served on several nonprofit organizations and civic boards. Governor Jane Hull appointed Mundell to the Commission on June 21, 1999 after the Arizona Supreme Court determined that the former commissioner was ineligible to hold office. In 2000, he ran to retain his seat on the Commission and won. Mundell presently serves on the Telecommunications and Consumer Affairs Committees of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners. He is married to Barbara R. Mundell and has two children, Meghan and Samantha. (WCPSC). As Chairman of the ACC, Commissioner Irvin began such initiatives as the ACC Water Task Force, pushed to include the utilization of renewable energy in restructuring Arizona’s electricity market, as well as, receiving the Governor’s Recognition Award for Customer Ser vice Improvement. Irvin’s community service activities include: serving as a Reserve Deputy Sheriff for the Maricopa County Sheriff ’s Office, a Board Member of the Scottsdale Education Foundation, a past Board member for the Silent Witness Program, and a Paul Harris Award Winner with Rotary International. Additionally, the Commissioner volunteers with the Boys and Girls Club, YMCA and coaches Little League. Jim is married to Carol Fehring Irvin and has three children: Lauren, Ashley and Daniel. Commissioner Irvin’s term expires January 2003. Commissioner Marc Spitzer was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and grew up in Philadelphia. After graduating from Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, Spitzer attended the University of Michigan School of Law. After law school, he moved to Arizona and began his career as a tax attorney. For the past nineteen years, Commissioner Spitzer has represented taxpayers against the Internal Revenue Service. Since 1987, based upon recommendations from lawyers he has litigated against, he has been certified as a Specialist in tax law by the Arizona Bar. In 1992, after many associations with civic, philanthropic and political causes, he ran for and was elected to the Arizona State Senate for District 18. Commissioner Spitzer ser ved in the Legislature as Chair of the Judiciary and Finance Committees and was elected by his peers to the position of Senate Majority Leader in 1996. As State Senator, Spitzer sponsored legislation on behalf of Attorneys General Grant Woods and Janet Napolitano protecting Arizona consumers from fraudulent schemes, and public agencies Brian C. McNeil became Executive Secretary of the Arizona Corporation Commission on May 10, 1999. The Executive Secretary is responsible for providing overall management of the Commission. Prior to joining the Commission, he was the Deputy Director for Budget and Policy Development in the Arizona Department of Health Services. from antitrust violations and bid rigging. He drafted the largest tax reduction in Arizona history, which also substantially reformed and simplified Arizona’s property tax system. He also drafted the Clean Air Amendments of 1997, which greatly improved air quality in Maricopa and Pima Counties. His efforts on behalf of Arizona’s retirees through his sponsorship of beneficial pension statutes, including a successful amendment to the State Constitution to protect the assets of pensioners, are considered exemplary by both Republicans and Democrats alike. Commissioner Marc Spitzer Commissioner Spitzer has served as member of the Arizona American-Italian Club, the Rotary Club 100 of Phoenix, the Sunnyslope Village Alliance, the North Central Phoenix Homeowners Association, the Arizona Chief Justice’s Commission on Juvenile Crime, the Heritage Foundation and other civic organizations. Commissioner Spitzer’s greatest achievement, political or otherwise, occurred on October 10, 1992 when he married the former Jacqueline Raub, a Phoenix native. He and Jacque have a son, Bennett Alexander, born in 1995. Symington, as Director of Operations and Economic Advisor at the Arizona State Senate and as a Fiscal Analyst at the Joint Legislative Budget Committee. Executive Secretary Brian C. McNeil McNeil earned his Master of Public Administration degree and a Bachelor of Science degree in economics from Arizona State University. McNeil is currently a Major in the U.S. Army Reserve. McNeil has also served as Senior Policy Advisor to for mer Governor Fife 5 Administration Division Michael Kearns Director/Deputy Executive Secretary Mission: To provide the executive leadership and decision-making authority for the timely resolution of matters coming before the Commission; to plan, coordinate and direct the administrative and fiscal activities necessary to support the commissioners and all the divisions of the Commission. The Administration Division is composed of the three elected Commissioners and their staffs, the Executive Secretary’s office and the administrative functions that provide the fiscal and administrative service necessary to support all divisions of the Corporation Commission. The division director oversees the administrative and fiscal functions and also serves as the Deputy Executive Secretary, performing the duties of the Executive Secretary during the incumbent’s temporary absences. The Executive Secretary’s staff performs many administrative functions in conjunction with the Division. These include: preparing the open meeting agendas, keeping records of all proceedings of the Commission and coordinating civic activities and projects of benefit to the Commission. Open Meetings & Other Proceedings The Commission meets in several types of forums. In all instances, the Arizona Open Meeting Law, the Commission’s ex-parte rule on unauthorized communications, and the Arizona Administrative Procedures Act govern the activities of the Commission. The Commission conducts formal hearings on contested matters such as rate requests, complaints and securities violations. Evidence is collected at hearings but no vote is taken. All decisions of the Commission are made in open meetings. Open meetings are conducted after the agenda of the meeting has been made available to the public. In some limited instances, such as legal matters and personnel matters, the Commission may meet in executive session. Hearings, open meetings and executive sessions, while administrative in nature, are very formal in process. Comments may be received from the public, interested parties and the staff of the Commission during Open Meetings. In addition, the Commission has staff meetings, run by the 6 Commissioners, which are posted as Open Meetings. These meetings serve as a forum to exchange information and obtain administrative guidance and policy direction from the Commissioners. The Commission also conducts workshops in which issues are discussed. No votes are taken or decisions made at the workshops. Legislative Activities The Arizona Legislature enacts new laws every year that impact the Commission and the people it serves. Laws affecting regulated entities, consumers of regulated services and corporate Arizona must be monitored and, in some cases, implemented by the Commission. Because of the Commission’s broad ranging authority, the Administration Division coordinates all of the Commission’s legislative activities in conjunction with each division. Additionally, the Division interacts with the Office of the Governor and the Legislature on Commission funding issues, including the review of our biennial budget requests and any subsequent executive or legislative recommendations. Civic Activities Commission employees have often been recognized for their personal efforts and contributions to fulfill civic needs. During FY 2001-2002, the Commissioners and employees together: •Contributed $17,143 in individual donations and pledges to the State Employees Charitable Campaign, which supports United Way agencies, national health agencies, international service agencies and local unaffiliated agencies; •Brightened the holiday season for 86 needy children by buying toys and •Donated 15 cases of canned food to help brighten the Christmas of needy families in the Valley; securities dealer, salesperson or agent registrations. During FY 2001-02 the Business Office received and processed $39,937,143 in revenue to the State Treasurer, of which $24,263,052 was deposited in the state’s General Fund. The Corporation Commission’s general fund receipts for licenses, fees and permits were the highest of all state agencies. •Fully supported and actively participated in environmental improvement activities such as the “Clean Air Force” (car pools, Don’t Drive One-in-Five Campaign and bus riding) and recycling of paper, newsprint, and aluminum cans. In addition to revenue deposits, the Business Office issued 583 purchase orders, 3,217 claims; received and entered into inventory 521 items; and serviced 310.5 employees through personnel actions and payroll transactions. clothes through the Salvation Army’s annual Christmas Angel gift drive; •Donated 27 pints of blood in specially arranged blood drives held at the Commission’s facilities; The Commission continued to fund a “Tuition Assistance” program for its employees. The objectives of the program include: improve job capability, performance and morale; encourage personal growth and development; and provide a source of qualified personnel for advancement as vacancies occur. ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ Fast Facts ○ ○ ○ The Commission deposited $39,937,143 in revenue to the State Treasurer of which $24,263,052 was deposited in the state’s General Fund. As a comparison, the Commission’s total funds expended for FY 20012002 was $21,592,000, of which $5,269,400 was from the General ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ Fund. ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ Business Office The Business Office is responsible for providing all accounting, payroll, purchasing and personnel support for the Commission as well as budget preparation. The Commission’s budget is developed and submitted by the Administration Division Director in coordination with the Executive Secretary and the directors of the divisions within the Commission. Fiscal information related to the budget and expenditures is included in Appendix A. The Business Office is also the Commission’s main point of contact with other state agencies involving business activities such as purchasing, budgeting and processing revenue. The Business Office receives funds from all Commission Divisions, but primarily from fees paid to the Corporations and Securities Divisions for corporate filings, Fast Facts Commission employees are generous! They donated $17,143 of their personal funds to the State Employees Charitable Campaign. Employees joined forces to contribute $1,080 more than in the prior year! In addition, employees sponsored 36 more children, for a total of 86, during this year’s Christmas Angel ○ ○ ○ ○ program. ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ 7 Legal Division Christopher Kempley Chief Counsel Mission: To provide professional, high quality legal representation to the Corporation Commission in the performance of all of its powers and duties, except for matters pertaining to the activities of the Securities Division. The Legal Division represents the Commission in all matters relating to public utility regulation and in other areas not associated with the Securities Division. Securities-related legal cases are litigated by the Attorney General’s Office. Matters handled by the Legal Division fall into five general categories: 1) Commission dockets; 2) Federal regulatory dockets; 3) litigation; 4) other administrative matters; and 5) special projects. Commission Dockets Utility companies throughout the state apply to the Commission for approval before undertaking certain activities such as the provision of service to the public, the modification of service territory or the implementation of rate increases. The Commission is also authorized to exercise continual review over the operations of public service corporations and to act when necessary to further the public interest. Legal Division representation in these matters is varied and includes representing the Utilities Division and advising the Commissioners on legal issues. Federal Dockets The Legal Division represents the Commission before various federal agencies in the following areas: electric, gas, nuclear energy, railroads, pipelines and telecommunications. Key federal proceedings included: •Continued implementation of the federal Telecommunications Act of 1996. •Expanded competition in the provision of local exchange service, universal 8 service mechanisms and funding, and •Expansion of long distance competition to include the Regional Bell Operating Companies. In addition, during FY 2001-2002 the Legal Division continued to represent the Commission in Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) dockets concerning the gas and electric industries to ensure that the public interest of Arizona is considered in these matters. Litigation The Legal Division represents the Commission before a variety of courts and either has pending or has recently concluded cases before municipal and justice courts, county Superior Courts, the State Court of Appeals and the State Supreme Court, as well as before various federal district and appeals courts, including the United States Supreme Court. The large majority of cases filed or pending during FY 2001-2002 involved Commission decisions related to restructuring of the telecommunications and electric industries. The Legal Division also has been called upon to represent the Commission in Bankruptcy Court in matters involving regulated utilities. Administrative Matters The Legal Division counsels the Corporation Commission in the legalities of miscellaneous matters such as the Open Meeting Law, guidelines and procedures, ex-parte communications, filing requirements and a variety of similar matters. The Corporations Division exercises responsibility in such areas as the filing of Articles of Incorporations, Certificates of Disclosure, and Annual Reports which must be submitted to the Commission by every corporation doing business within the State of Arizona. The Legal Division advises the Corporation Division on these administrative matters. Special Projects The Legal Division participates in the revision of all rules for the Corporations Division and the Utilities Division, including the Pipeline and Railroad Safety Groups. It has also represented the Commission in litigation that has occurred following the rulemakings. The Commission continues to be engaged in a series of proceedings related to the restructuring of the telecommunications industry. The Legal Division represents the Commission or its Staff in a variety of proceedings related to the emergence of competition in the telecommunications industry. During FY 2001-2002 the Legal Division was active in the Commission’s completion of its first comprehensive review of the wholesale rates that Qwest charges its competitors. The Division is also examining Qwest’s application to offer long-distance service under Section 271 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996. Congress passed the 1996 Act as a way to usher in a new era of competition in the local telephone market. Section 271 is an evaluation of whether the incumbent local phone company – in this case, Qwest – has taken all the right steps to open its network and set up processes that would enable a competitive provider to offer service in Arizona. A preliminary inquiry by the Utilities Division uncovered agreements between Qwest and companies that sought to use portions of the Qwest network that staff believes should have been filed with the Commission. The Commission directed the Legal Division to examine interconnection agreements entered into by Qwest to determine whether Qwest is complying with the nondiscrimination and filing requirements of the 1996 Act. The Division also assisted the Commission and Staff in the commencement of some important investigations and rulemaking proceedings designed to protect the interests of consumers, including rules to address slamming and other deceptive practices and an investigation into the dissemination practices of telecommunications carriers relating to customer proprietary network information (CPNI). During FY 2001-2002 the Legal Division also represented the Commission before the Federal Communications Commission in its review of these privacy issues at the federal level. The Commission is also engaged in a series of proceedings related to the restructuring of the electric industry. This process continued during FY 2001-2002. The Legal Division has been involved in this process at every stage. Adoptions of the original rules, each subsequent amendment have resulted in litigation in state courts. The litigation, and the administrative proceedings related to restructuring, can be expected to continue into future fiscal years and will continue to require the commitment of significant resources from the Legal Division. Under state statutes no utility may construct an electric power plant or transmission line without first obtaining a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility from the Power Plant and Line Siting Committee that then must be approved by the Commission. Given the number of applications being submitted and the heightened public interest in such construction, in FY 2001-2002 the Legal Division devoted significant resources to representing Staff in these proceedings. It is anticipated that this level of resource commitment will continue into future fiscal years. ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ Fast Facts ○ ○ ○ The Legal Division has been actively involved in important investigations and rulemaking proceedings designed to protect consumers. The Division is involved in drafting rules to prevent slamming and cramming and examining policies regarding the use and dissemination of proprietary information gathered by telecommunications ○ ○ ○ ○ carriers. ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ 9 In conjunction with its activities in the areas of electric competition and line and power plant siting, the Commission has been actively involved in proceedings at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission related to the supply and interstate transmission of natural gas. Natural gas is a primary source of fuel for power plants. The Legal Division participates in those dockets in which gas supply and transmission, as well as competing rights among states to receipt of shipped gas, are at issue. The Commission continues to address important water issues. These include Central Arizona Project water usage and its attendant costs, groundwater supply, water quality and regulatory jurisdiction over water use by private water companies. ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ Fast Facts ○ ○ ○ The major cases before the Commission usually include an advisory staff assigned to act as a separate party in order to advise Commissioners and their staff without violating the ex parte ○ communications rule. ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ For example, during FY 2001-2002 staff worked with industry representatives to develop a cost-based recovery mechanism to allow water companies interim recovery of costs of arsenic-extracting systems needed to meet federal requirements. In addition, the Legal Division represented the Commission in both administrative and civil proceedings involving various water issues. With companies requesting permission to build additional electric generating plants in Arizona, the Legal Division has become increasingly involved in determining the plant-specific and cumulative impact of such plants and in protecting the public’s interest in the state’s water. The major cases before the Commission usually include an advisory staff assigned to act as a separate party in order to advise Commissioners and Commissioner’s staff without violating the ex parte communications rule. Thus, in each of the above instances, in addition to the need for legal staff as counsel for Utilities Division staff, additional Legal Division personnel are assigned to advise the Commissioners. 10 The Commission’s rules relating to transactions with unregulated affiliates have been in effect since FY 1992-93. The rules create an ongoing responsibility to consider and process applications and reports under the rules. The filings of applications and reports under the rules, all of which require scrutiny by Legal Division attorneys, can be expected to continue indefinitely. The Utilities Division monitors the operations of 815 public service corporations providing utility service within the State of Arizona. Article XV of the Arizona Constitution defines “public service corporations” as “those furnishing gas, oil, or electricity for light, fuel or power; water for irrigation, fire protection, or other public purposes; or those transmitting messages or furnishing telegraph or telephone service.” The Commission’s regulatory responsibilities are established in the Arizona Constitution (Article XV) and the Arizona Revised Statutes (§40-201, et seq.), and further defined in the Arizona Administrative Code (Title 14, Chapter 2). One of the Utilities Division’s major responsibilities is rate review and the determination of a reasonable return on fair value for public service corporations. The Division reviews utility company financial records and recommends to the Commission appropriate revenue and rate requirements. With the exception of small public service corporations, these requests for rate changes must be determined in an evidentiary hearing. Regardless of the size of the public service corporation, all rate changes require approval of the Commission in an open meeting. Staff preparation for a major rate hearing begins at the time of the utility’s initial filing, and takes approximately four to six months before the hearing takes place. Work efforts between the time of filing and a hearing include a review of documents on file with the Commission; an audit of the books and records of the utility; on-site inspections of plants and facilities; discussions with utility personnel and interested parties; formulation of the staff recommendation; and preparation of written testimony and schedules. As a result of both the electric and telecommunications industries evolving from monopolies to competitive industries, the Utilities Division has the added responsibility of providing leadership and support in the development of competitive marketplaces. The Division works with the Commissioners and all affected stakeholders to develop equitable competitive markets that will benefit all consumers of electricity and telecommunications services. Throughout FY 2001-2002, the Division devoted significant resources to the following major efforts: •Implementation of the new 928 area code; •Study of ratemaking and engineering impacts associated with implementation of the new EPA standard for arsenic; •A major rate case for Southwest Gas; •Development of rules prohibiting slamming and cramming in telecommunications; Utilities Division Ernest Johnson Director Mission: To recommend thoroughlyresearched, sound regulatory policy and rate recommendations to the Commissioners, which are based on a balanced analysis of the benefits and impacts on all stakeholders and are consistent with the public interest. •Siting of power plants and transmission lines; •Study of issues surrounding the sale and use of customer proprietary network information (CPNI); and, •Ongoing efforts to monitor service quality and reliability among regulated utilities. The Utilities Division consists of eight sections through which the staff performs its responsibilities: 1) Financial & Regulatory Analysis; 2) Telecom & Energy; 3) Engineering; 4) Safety; 5) Consumer Services; 6) Compliance & Enforcement; 7) Information Technology; and 8) Administrative Services. 11 The Division oversees the following numbers of utilities: Telecommunications companies ........ 439 Local exchange carriers ..................... 152 Other telecommunications ............... 287 Water utility companies ...................... 308* Sewer companies ................................... 19* Water and Sewer .................................... 15* Electric companies .................................. 27 Gas utilities ................................................. 7 Irrigation Companies ................................ 1 *The Commission oversees more than 400 individual water and sewer systems. Multiple systems can be operated by the same utility company. Financial & Regulatory Analysis ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ Fast Facts ○ ○ ○ Regardless of the size of the utility, all rate changes require approval of the Commission. Decisions on these and other cases are rendered in a public, open meeting with opportunities for community members to offer comments to the ○ 12 ○ Commissioners. ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ The Accounting and Rates Section was renamed the Financial & Regulatory Analysis Section, and new class titles and descriptions were developed for team members. The Section is primarily responsible for the preparation of testimony and staff reports for utility rate cases. These documents address accounting issues, reasonableness of expenses, costs of capital, overall revenue requirement, and, ultimately, staff ’s rate recommendations to the Commissioners. During FY 2001-2002, the Section analyzed numerous applications consisting primarily of water company rate cases. The section also continued to participate in rate cases for the other regulated industries and participated in Small Water Assistance Team presentations around the state. Notable cases involved Black Mountain Gas Company, Southwest Gas Corporation, Gold Canyon Sewer Company, Avra Water Cooperative, Midvale Telephone, Citizens/ Anthem, Navopache Electric Cooperative, Duncan Valley Electric Company, and Duncan Rural Gas Company. The section also provided analysis and recommendations regarding public utility mergers, debt and equity issuances, transfers of assets, purchased power and gas adjustor revisions, and applications for Certificates of Convenience and Necessity (CC&Ns). Telecom & Energy Section The Telecom and Energy Section analyzes economic and policy issues pertaining to the Commission’s regulation of investorowned utilities and rural electric and gas cooperatives. The section also analyzes and implements telecommunications policies adopted by the Commission. The staff uses a variety of computer models, quantitative techniques and qualitative methods in its utility evaluations and research. Recommendations are presented to the Commissioners through staff reports, sworn testimony, memos and recommended orders. The section is also responsible for analyzing and preparing Staff recommendations for the majority of electric tariff filings, special contracts, natural gas tariff filings, telecommunications tariff filings, proposed tariff revisions and competitive telecommunication interconnection agreements. The section also processes applications for CC&Ns for all categories of Electric Service Providers (ESPs) and competitive telecommunications firms. The section continues to participate in the ongoing evaluation of the extent to which Qwest Communications has opened its markets to competitors in compliance with specific requirements of the federal Telecommunications Act of 1996. The Telecom and Energy Section prepared analyses and recommendations on over 200 tariffs and special contracts submitted by telecommunications, electric and natural gas utilities. Engineering Section The Engineering Section conducts technical reviews of all Commission-regulated utilities (except gas, which is done by the Pipeline Safety Group) to assure compliance with accepted service, safety, maintenance, performance and regulatory standards. This Section monitors and conducts on-site investigations of regulated water, wastewater (sewer), telecommunications and electric companies and one irrigation company. The staff also investigates accidents and incidents involving utilities that result in service outages, property damage and consumer inquiries. The Engineering Section assists the Consumer Services Section with the technical aspects of complaints received from utility customers. The engineers accompany Consumer Services Section personnel on investigations of such complaints. Assistance is also provided to other sections in the processing of CC&N applications for all regulated utilities. The Engineering Section assists the Financial & Regulatory Analysis Section in the processing of rate case applications, financing applications, changes to purchased power and fuel adjusters and other cases. Inspections are performed to determine whether a utility plant is “used and useful.” The Engineering Section staff also conducts cost of service studies for the utilities, including gas. In the water/wastewater area, the engineers monitor the operation of over 400 individual water and sewer systems. These systems range in size from less than 10 connections to over several thousand connections. The engineering staff assisted in the processing of 260 water main extension Agreements in this fiscal year. The electrical engineers monitor the operation and maintenance of all generating and transmission resources within Arizona. This includes the nation’s largest nuclear plant, the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station, located approximately 50 miles west of Phoenix. The Engineers also support Commission representatives who serve on the Arizona Power Plant and Transmission Line Siting Committee. Engineers assist in deter mining the environmental compatibility of newlyproposed generating stations and transmission lines. The electrical engineers are responsible for preparing the Biennial Transmission Assessment Report and are responsible for enforcement of the Overhead Power Line Safety Law. In the area of telecommunications, the Telecommunications Engineers review tariff filings, various telecommunications applications and evaluate the various facilities comprising the telecommunications network in Arizona. The Telecommunications Engineers also participate in the telecommunications dockets and are responsible for addressing service quality issues. In addition, the Engineering Section maintains a computer-aided design (CAD) program for producing detailed utility service area maps for use by the Commission and the general public. ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ Fast Facts ○ ○ ○ Staff from the Engineering Section conduct inspections, investigations and technical reviews of electric, water, wastewater, telecommunications, and irrigation companies that fall under the Commission’s jurisdiction. This includes inspections at the nation’s largest nuclear plant, the Palo Verde Nuclear ○ Generating Station. ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ Safety Section The Safety Section consists of two groups —Pipeline Safety and Railroad Safety. The Pipeline Safety Group enforces the Arizona Underground Facilities Law and oversees the construction, operation and maintenance of all intrastate and interstate natural gas, other gases, liquefied natural gas, and hazardous liquid pipeline facilities operating within the State of Arizona. The Railroad Safety Group oversees the operation and maintenance of all railroad operations, track maintenance and railroad/ street grade crossings. 13 Pipeline Safety Group The Pipeline Safety Group operates its main office in Phoenix and staffs offices in Tucson, Prescott and Flagstaff. ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ Fast Facts ○ ○ ○ The Pipeline Safety Group conducted 744 comprehensive inspections, 323 specialized inspections, 911 follow-up inspections and 225 construction inspections to ensure compliance with state and federal ○ ○ safety standards. ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ The Pipeline Safety Group enforces pipeline safety standards and operating practices applicable to the transportation of gas and hazardous liquids by pipeline and the operation of liquefied natural gas facilities. Inspections are conducted on all interstate gas transmission and interstate hazardous liquid pipeline facilities. Inspections and operations audits are conducted on all intrastate natural gas transmission/ distribution pipelines, intrastate hazardous liquid pipelines, intrastate liquefied natural gas facilities and master meter natural gas system operations, such as apartments, mobile home parks, schools and other gas distribution systems at the point beyond the utility company meter. The Pipeline Safety Group also enforces the Arizona Underground Facilities Law, otherwise known as the “Blue Stake” Law. As a result of these responsibilities, the Pipeline Safety Group monitors the activities of three interstate natural gas transmission pipelines, one interstate hazardous liquid pipeline, 17 major intrastate gas pipeline operations, two intrastate liquefied natural gas facilities, seven intrastate gas transmission pipelines, three intrastate hazardous liquid pipelines and 1,182 master meter natural gas operations. During FY 2001-2002, the Pipeline Safety Group inspected 17 major intrastate natural gas distribution pipeline operators, seven intrastate gas transmission pipeline operators, three intrastate hazardous liquid pipeline operators, two intrastate liquefied natural gas operators, three interstate gas transmission operators, one interstate hazardous liquid pipeline operators and conducted 103 construction inspections, 99 specialized inspections and 23 incident 14 investigations. The Pipeline Safety Group conducted 744 comprehensive inspections, 323 specialized inspections, 911 follow-up inspections and 225 construction inspections of master meter natural gas distribution systems. Also during FY 2001-2002, the Pipeline Safety Group investigated 460 reported violations of the Underground Facilities Law, issued 231 notices of violations and collected $232,750 in fines. Staff also received 391 notices of incidents from pipeline operators and pipeline operators shut off gas service to 111 master meter gas systems requiring repair. During FY 2001-2002, the Pipeline Safety Group provided 13 training workshops for operators of master meter gas systems and assisted master meter operator personnel by making available to them pipe locating and leak detection equipment. Staff conducted 31 Blue Stake training classes and also presented three specialized training classes for major pipeline operators. The Pipeline Safety Group in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Transportation Safety Institute, presented a pipeline safety training seminar for pipeline operators and conducted two pipeline safety Corrosion Control I training classes for State and Federal Pipeline Safety inspectors. Railroad Safety Group The Railroad Safety Group enforces the Federal Safety Standards for track, signal, motive power and equipment, railroad operating practices, and the shipment of hazardous material by rail. The Railroad Safety Group is also responsible for inspection and review of industrial track, and rail-highway crossings construction projects. In addition to its main office in Phoenix, two Rail Safety Consultants are located in the Tucson office and one in Kingman. This staffing arrangement provides the Commission and the citizens of Arizona with quick response to any rail incident, as well as direct contact for more routine matters. During FY 2001-2002, the Group inspected 2,695 miles of track, 3,884 freight cars, 98 locomotives, 391 crossings and 14 industrial track facilities. It also made 240 operating practices inspections and 4,548 inspections of manufacturers that ship and receive hazardous materials by rail. The group investigated approximately 115 railroad accidents and 72 complaints received from other governmental agencies, railroad employees or the public. The Commission administers the State’s share of monies dedicated to improving rail-highway crossing safety devices. Since the inception of this federal/state program in July 1977, about $39,211,385 in federal funds and $3,416,405.80 in state funds have been spent or encumbered to improve safety warning devices on public railhighway crossings throughout the state. Commission staff, in conjunction with the Federal Highway Administration and the Arizona Department of Transportation, conducts an annual review of certain public rail-highway crossings throughout the state and prepares a list of crossings to be considered for improvement using federal and state funds. From the list, the Commission publishes an array of about 15 of those crossings. The array is then submitted to the cities, towns, and/or counties to make applications for funding. The Group is also very active in the National Operation Lifesaver Program, a public awareness program that promotes rail/highway crossing and trespasser safety. The Commission’s award-winning video, “Operation Lifesaver,” is widely used in the Arizona High School Driver Education and Driver Survival Programs as well as other driver safety programs throughout the country. Consumer Services Section The Consumer Ser vices Section investigates and arbitrates complaints from the public regarding operation, billings, terminations and quality of service and facilities of public service corporations. The Section engaged in the following activities during FY 2001-2002: Public Comment Meetings: In an effort to provide consumers an opportunity to voice their concerns and opinions on proposed rate increases and the quality of service of the public utilities serving them, the Consumer Services Section conducts public comment meetings. When a public utility files an application for a rate increase, the Consumer Services Section assists in the review of the application for sufficiency. It also receives and responds to customer service problems and comments. If necessary, the Consumer Services Section organizes a public comment meeting prior to the rate hearing. These meetings have proven to be beneficial to the public utilities in establishing better communications between them and their customers. During FY 2001-2002, the Consumer Services Section organized 16 public comment meetings. Arbitration: When the public utility and the consumer are not able to agree on the resolution of the consumer’s complaint, a representative from the Utilities Division will conduct an independent arbitration to resolve the complaint. During FY 20012002, the Consumer Services Section conducted no arbitrations. ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ Fast Facts ○ ○ ○ During FY 2001-2002, the Railroad Safety Group inspected 2,695 miles of track, 3,884 freight cars, 98 locomotives, 391 crossings and 14 industrial track ○ ○ ○ ○ facilities. ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ Meter Testing: The Commission, through the Consumer Services Section, tests water meters when the accuracy of the meter reading is questioned. During FY 2001-2002, the Consumer Services Section tested 105 meters. Field Investigations: On-site field investigations are sometimes needed in order to 15 ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ Fast Facts ○ ○ ○ The Consumer Services Section, with offices in Phoenix and Tucson, assists consumers in resolving utility problems. During FY 2001-2002, the group helped explain, resolve or respond to more than 10,333 complaints regarding rate cases, service and repair issues, billing or deposit issues, or other issues related to the provision of reliable utility service. ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ resolve a dispute. These investigations may entail an inspection of the physical plant of the public utility, a review of its books and records, and verbal interaction with the customer and the public utility. Consumer Services conducted 27 field investigations in FY 2001-2002. The purpose of the section is to ensure that utilities comply with the provisions of the Arizona Revised Statutes, Commission rules and Commission orders. Small Water Company Workshops: These one-day workshops are held quarterly throughout the state. The objective is to provide information to water company owners and operators on a variety of topics, to share the Commission’s expertise and to answer any questions or concerns they might have regarding the regulated portion of their companies. During FY 2001-2002, the Section conducted 12 such workshops, including special workshops and training on the new rate application forms. During FY 2001-2002, the Compliance Section reported the following compliance actions: Complaints: The following table lists the total complaints handled by the Consumer Services Section in FY 2000-2001 by utility type and complaint type: Communication Companies ............ 5,843 Sewer Companies .................................... 66 Water Companies .............................. 1,326 Electric Companies ........................... 1,892 Gas Companies .................................. 1,206 TOTAL ............................................. 10,333 Rate Case Items .................................... 600 Service Issues ........................................ 691 Billing Issues ....................................... 3,665 New Service Issues .............................. 508 Compliance & Enforcement Section The Compliance Section is responsible for: tracking compliance relative to annual report filings, filings made pursuant to Commission rules and orders and administering the annual regulatory assessment. •987 annual reports were mailed to utilities and monitored for filing. •651 compliance actions were entered into the compliance database for monitoring. •478 compliance filings were made by utilities in response to the requirements of Commission Decision or Rules. •160 utilities were required to remit an annual assessment, which was monitored for compliance. •73 Non-compliance notices were sent to utilities that failed to comply with filing requirements. •Three formal complaints were filed with the Commission against utilities that failed to meet compliance requirements. •A Complaint and Order to Show Cause was filed with the Commission against various utilities for failing to file the prior year’s annual reports. Other Issues ....................................... 4,202 Repair Issues ......................................... 456 Information Technology Section Deposit Issues ....................................... 211 The Information Technology (IT) Section provides technical guidance and experience to further the Division’s mission and goals. It consists of specialized, highly trained professionals whose goals include providing technical resources and assisting TOTAL ............................................. 10,333 These totals represent verbal, written and e-mail complaints. 16 division employees to maximize productivity with the use of technology. The IT Section’s mission statement is: To provide accurate, efficient and timely technology design, development, implementation and maintenance support services to the Utilities Division of the Arizona Corporation Commission, in support of its business goals. During FY 2001-2002, the Division continued its ongoing IT improvement strategy. Web development and maintenance saw increased emphasis as the Commission strives to provide the public with convenient, timely and accurate information. The newly revised Utilities Division website (www.cc.state.az.us/utility/index.htm) debuted in June 2002. Plans were formulated to transition the Division’s users to the next generation of operating system and office productivity software. Also planned were hardware upgrades including client workstations and server resources. Ongoing support continued for word processing and spreadsheet uses along with the development of new databases designed to make staff functions more efficient. Furthermore, the Section staff continued to oversee the training needs for division users of IT resources. mony and correspondence; maintain various databases; process, scan and link tariff files for posting on the web; process interconnection agreements; scan monthly decisions for Division use; provide research; distribute mail and internally generated documents; and provide general customer service. In addition, the Section maintains a multimedia library used by Commission employees. The library contains legal, technical and reference publications; federal and state documents; telecommunications videotapes; computer programs and selfimprovement courses. The library specializes in utility-related information. Other items processed by the Administrative Services Section during FY 2001-2002 include: ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ Fast Facts ○ ○ Annual Reports ..................................... 730 The IT Section, with Central File items ............................... 1,002 assistance and direction Staff Reports ......................................... 353 from the public Tariffs Administratively Approved .... 462 information office and Testimony ................................................. 64 Utilities Division staff, ○ overhauled the Utilities Division website to make it more consumerfriendly. The site now includes definitions of Administrative Services Section common terms, answers The Administrative Services Section provides general and complex administrative and clerical support to Director’s office and the following Sections: Financial & Regulatory Analysis; Telecom & Energy; Engineering, and Consumer Services. The Section provided support for the successful installation of new software, development of computer training and conversion of system databases. Administrative support staff provide the following services: format and process open meeting items, staff reports, testi- ○ to frequently asked questions and information about how the Division can be of service to consumers. View the site at www.cc.state.az.us/ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ utility ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ 17 Corporations Division Joanne C. MacDonnell Director Mission: To grant corporate or limited liability company status to companies organizing under the laws of Arizona; to issue licenses to foreign corporations and LLCs that propose doing business in this state; and to maintain their files for the benefit of public record and service of process. The Corporations Division approves for filing all articles of incorporation for Arizona businesses; all articles of organization for limited liability companies (LLCs); grants authority to foreign corporations and LLCs to transact business in this state; propounds interrogatories, when necessary, to determine a company’s lawful purpose; and administratively dissolves the corporate charters of those corporations which choose to not comply with Arizona law. The division collects from every corporation an annual report, which reflects its current status and business (nonprofit corporation reports also include a statement of financial condition); maintains this information in a format conducive to public access; responds to public questions concerning Arizona business and corporation law; and responds to the needs of the business sector by disseminating whatever information is mission critical to them in the most expedient and cost effective manner possible. Any significant changes to Articles of Incorporation or Articles of Organization for LLCs in the form of amendments, mergers, consolidations, dissolutions or withdrawals are also filed with the Division. All filings are public record and available for inspection. Copies of documents may be secured for a nominal fee. The Corporations Division has limited investigatory powers and no regulatory authority. However, an Arizona corporation may be administratively dissolved if certain statutory requirements are not met. Likewise, the authority of a foreign (non-Arizona) corporation to transact business in Arizona may be revoked. The Corporations Division is comprised of five sections, with each Section designed to perform specific functions. The division also has a Tucson Office for service to the residents of Southern Arizona. 18 Overview of Activity As of June 30, 2002, there were a total of corporations and LLCs transacting business in the State of Arizona. Total Active Corporations & LLCs ............................................ 291,845 Annual Reports Mailed ................. 156,000 Annual Reports Filed* .................. 136,000 Total Phone Calls Handled .......... 366,635 *LLCs are not required to file an Annual Report and some are returned as undeliverable or rejected. Corporate Filings Section The documents processed by the Corporate Filings Section during FY 2001-2002 were as follows: Domestic Articles of Incorporation ................................... 13,238 Foreign Applications for Authority ............................................. 3,706 Amendments ...................................... 8,650 Domestic and foreign mergers ........... 843 Domestic LLCs ................................ 16,996 Foreign applications for LLCs ........ 1,234 Dissolutions/Withdrawals ............... 1,598 In addition to filing documents, the section fielded more than 84,500 phone inquiries. Annual Reports Section The documents processed by the Annual Reports Section during FY 2001-2002 were as follows: Annual Reports filed ..................... 136,000 Original Annual Reports mailed .............................................. 156,000 Duplicate Annual Reports mailed ................................................ 53,000 Pending notices of administrative dissolution or revocation................ 44,849 Notices of administrative dissolution or revocation mailed ....................... 24,149 In addition to filing documents, the section fielded more than 56,135 phone inquiries. Records Section The documents processed by the Annual Reports Section during FY 2001-2002 were as follows: Issued copies of records ................ 78,055 Records issued by certification desk .................................................... 18,307 Changed corporate or agent addresses ............................................. 1,647 In addition to filing documents, the section fielded more than 133,471 phone inquiries. The Commission acts as an agent for Arizona corporations and LLCs whenever either entity does not maintain a statutory agent or when the agent cannot be located. In these instances, services of process directed to the Commission are accepted and processed by the Records Section. IT Section The State of Arizona Public Access System (STARPAS) project was mandated in FY 1992-1993 by A.R.S. §10-129.01 and 10-1085.01. STARPAS provides on-line public access to corporate and LLC information on file with the Commission. The initial STARPAS project was completed in FY 1994-1995. The STARPAS system is a direct access system connected to the real-time database maintained by the Corporations Division. All information is up-to-the-minute and can be searched by business entity name or by officer, director or statutory agent. The STARPAS system is available free of charge through the Commission website. The IT section is responsible for the management and enhancement of the division’s ten-server system. Programming is done in-house. The IT section provides ad hoc reports to the public in response to specific requests. IPS Section This section opens and sorts all division mail and is the initial point of process for all Annual Report related documents. With regard to annual reports, this section identifies the year and type of filing, processes the filing fee, bar codes and stamps the document, and transmits information into a computerized tracking system. The IPS scans the documents into the Division’s imaging system for subsequent review by examiners in the Annual Reports section. The IPS section is also responsible for transmitting corporate and LLC information into the STARPAS system and preparing documents to be microfilmed. ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ Fast Facts ○ ○ ○ The Corporations Division closed FY 2001-2002 with 291,845 active corporations or LLCs registered to do business in Arizona, compared with only 286,080 in the ○ ○ prior fiscal year. ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ The following documents were processed by the Initial Processing Section during FY 2001-2002: Opened mail ................................... 206,721 IPS In Box records created .......... 186,894 Scanned ........................................... 186,894 Batching, prepping of documents for all filings .................................... 366,419 The IPS system initially processes Annual Reports, corporate and statutory agent address changes and statutory agent changes. Legislation On behalf of the Division, Representative Jeffrey Hatch-Miller introduced HB 2401, updating the manner in which various legal documents are executed for nonprofit electric cooperatives and corporations sole; 19 ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ Fast Facts ○ ○ ○ The Corporations Division completed conversion of its massive STARPAS database to an Internet-based system. This allows anyone with Internet access to gather or verify corporate data for any of the nearly 300,000 corporations or LLCs doing business in or from Arizona. Additional enhancements to the website are planned. View corporate or LLC records by entering www.cc.state.az.us/corp ○ 20 in your web browser. ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ precludes the ACC from charging fees for bankruptcy filings and interrogatories; allows corporations changing their domicile the option of filing an application for authority to transact business in Arizona; allows the ACC to administratively dissolve corporations for failing to file the required statement of bankruptcy or receivership; replaces the requirements for executing various legal documents with a signatory procedure by an authorized party on behalf of the cooperative; allows for an easier form of resignation from a cooperative by cooperative directors; extends immunity from civil liability to officers of a cooperative; eliminates the requirement for corporations sole that all deeds and other documents be sealed with the seal of the corporation; and makes technical and conforming changes. The bill was passed by the Legislature and signed into law (Laws 2002, Chapter 293). The Securities Division reviews prospective offerings of securities to ascertain that full and fair disclosure is made to potential securities investors and that the terms of offerings are not inherently fraudulent. Securities dealers, salespersons, investment advisers and investment adviser representatives are required to register with the Division prior to conducting business in Arizona. The Division reviews these applications and monitors the conduct of investment advisers and investment adviser representatives, dealers and salespersons; investigates possible violations; where the evidence warrants, brings administrative, civil or criminal enforcement actions; and conducts programs to educate investors to protect themselves. The Division consists of four sections: 1) Registration and Compliance, 2) Office of the General Counsel, 3) Enforcement, and 4) Management Information Systems. Registration & Compliance Section Registration and Compliance reviews applications for registration or exemption of securities under the Arizona Securities Act. This Section is also responsible for the administration of the registration and licensing provisions of the Securities Act and the Investment Management Act pertaining to dealers, salesmen, investment advisers and investment adviser representatives. Staff conducts on-site examinations of dealers and investment advisers to ensure compliance with these Acts. The Corporation Commission is authorized to deny, suspend, or revoke a registration or license, to assess fines and to order restitution to victims. During FY 2001-2002 the Section processed 2,152 dealer and 125,667 agent registrations. In addition, 298 investment adviser, 803 investment adviser notice filers and 983 investment adviser representatives were licensed. The Section conducted 45 field examinations of dealers and investment advisers. The Section processed 17,246 applications for securities registration, 1,066 filings for various exemptions from registration and 2,425 name change requests during FY 2001-2002. Enforcement Section The Division maintains an active enforcement program in order to ensure integrity in the marketplace and to preserve the investment capital formation process, rather than permitting capital to be lost to swindles or deceptive practices. The Arizona Corporation Commission is granted the authority to issue an Order to Cease and Desist, apply to the Superior Court of Maricopa County for an injunction, transmit evidence to the Attorney General who may petition the Superior Court of Maricopa County for the appointment of a conservator or receiver, and transmit evidence to the Attorney General, County and United States Attorneys, who may file criminal cases. Securities Division Mark Sendrow Director Mission: To ensure the integrity of the securities marketplace though investigative actions as well as the registration and/or oversight of securities, securities dealers and brokers, investment advisers and their representatives; to enhance legitimate capital formation; and to minimize the expense of regulatory compliance on legitimate business, consistent with vigorous investor protection. During FY 2001-2002, the Division initiated 39 investigations and had a total of 151 cases under investigation at year-end. It filed 30 administrative proceedings and transmitted evidence to the Attorney General, which resulted in 4 criminal cases involving 7 defendants. A total of 339 subpoenas were issued and 66 examinations under oath were taken during the year. 21 ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ Fast Facts ○ ○ ○ During FY 2001-2002, the Division issued 339 subpoenas, initiated 39 investigations and had 151 cases under investigation at year-end. ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ The Securities Division makes a substantial commitment to its cases once litigation is commenced. Its investigators and certified public accountants become essential to the litigation in terms of marshaling witnesses and providing expert testimony. Because of their familiarity with the facts in the case they have investigated, the Division attorneys have been appointed Special Assistant Attorneys General to assist during litigation. Office of General Counsel The office of General Counsel provides legal advice to the Securities Division and assistance to the business and financial communities and securities practitioners. Its responsibilities include administrative rulemaking; drafting and monitoring legislation relevant to the Securities Division; administering the no-action (interpretive) letter program, the public education program, the in-house training program, and the duty officer program (response to public inquiries); and advising the director regarding general administrative matters. In FY 2001-2002, the General Counsel’s office proposed changes to the Arizona Securities Act and the Investment Management Act that were ultimately embodied in Senate Bill 1107. Important changes included: •Granting the Commission discretion to authorize Securities Division attorneys to represent the Commission in administrative and civil matters relating to the Securities and Investment Management Acts; •Requiring dealer and salesman registration for offers and sales of viatical settlement investment contracts and variable contracts; •Authorizing the Commission to order penalties and restitution in addition to 22 denial, suspension, or revocation of licensure; •Granting the authority to the Commission to join a spouse in an administrative action to determine the liability of the marital community; •Adding engaging in dishonest practices in business or financial matters as a basis for denial, suspension, or revocation of licensure; and, •Granting the superior court authorization to exercise its contempt power and impose penalties upon noncompliance with a Commission order. Additionally, through the General Counsel’s office, the Commission joined other administrative agencies to propose the addition of authorizing language in several statutes to provide access to the fingerprint records of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in connection with background investigations of individuals applying for licensure. This proposal was embodied in Senate Bill 1164, signed into law effective April 29, 2002. The General Counsel’s office initiated rulemaking to: •Update and clarify procedural rules for administrative actions; •Reflect recent statutory changes in the safe harbor for dealers and salesmen regarding supervisory responsibilities and in the registration requirements for limited public offerings; •To incorporate into state law changes to federal requirements regarding the books and records that must be made, maintained and preserved by registered dealers. Division duty officers responded to over 2,700 inquiries from the public and Division staff made in excess of 100 investor education presentations and distributions of educational materials and videos to the public. Groups to which presentations were made include clubs, high schools and chambers of commerce. The Division participated in the ASU Brown Bag lunch series and addressed groups at public libraries. Administrative Matters The Securities Division’s investor education program includes a year-round speakers bureau for civic and consumer groups. In addition to group presentations, the Securities Division distributes investor educational materials in English and Spanish through its web site, radio and television programs, press releases, newspaper articles and printed material available at libraries and the public areas of various consumer groups. Through these efforts, the Securities Division strives to equip Arizonans to make informed investment decisions and to prevent themselves from falling prey to investment scams. The Securities Division believes an informed, educated investor is the first line of defense against investment fraud. During FY 2001-2002, for the fourth consecutive year, the Securities Division participated in “Financial Literacy 2010” – a campaign targeting high school personal finance teachers across America. The Financial Literacy program is designed to improve the financial skills of secondary school students by equipping personal finance teachers with better teaching tools. The Securities Division continually works to develop partnerships with which to further educational efforts, including the Elder Fraud Prevention Task Force, the Arizona Council on Economic Education, the Elder Issues Task Force and Living Team, the Academy of Finance and the Financial Services Education Advisory Committee. The Securities Division continued working with the Elder Fraud Prevention Task Force on “Project kNOw Fraud” – designed to educate the public regarding the numerous facets of identity theft. The Commission is also a sponsor of and the Securities Division provides speakers for the Arizona Council on Economic Education Stock Market Game. This program enables students from grade school to high school to become acquainted with important concepts such as due diligence and the relationship between risk and reward. The students learn how capital markets function by simulating purchases and sales of securities and are able to track their “portfolios” following their investments in the Wall Street Journal. Management Information Systems Section The Division’s Management Information Systems section operates, maintains and implements upgrades and modifications to the division’s local area network. It is responsible for design of required databases and reports. This section provides training to staff on new software applications. ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ Fast Facts ○ ○ ○ The Securities Division responded to over 2,700 inquiries from the public and Division staff made more than 100 investor education presentations during this fiscal year. The Commission’s Securities Division is recognized as one of the leading states with investor education programs to arm people with the information they need to avoid scams and ○ ○ ○ ○ schemes. ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ 23 Hearing Division Lyn Farmer Chief Hearing Officer Mission: To conduct hearings/arbitrations, analyze the evidence and draft recommended decisions for the Commissioners’ consideration and approval. The Hearing Division exercises the Commission’s authority to hold public hearings and arbitrations on matters involving the regulation of public service corporations, the sale of securities and the registration of non-municipal corporations. Under the direction of the presiding Hearing Officer, proceedings are conducted on a formal basis through the taking of direct testimony, the cross-examination of witnesses, the admission of documentary and other physical evidence, and the submission of oral arguments or post-hearing briefs. Evidentiary and procedural rulings are made by the presiding Hearing Officer from the bench. Rate applications are processed under the procedural schedule established by the Hearing Officers, in order to ensure that proposed Opinion and Orders are issued in a timely manner within the framework of the Commission’s “timeclock” rules. During FY 2001-2002, the six Hearing Officers in the Division conducted 335 public hearings/arbitrations, encompassing a total of 349 days. Based upon the record evidence presented at public hearings, or filings made in nonhearing matters, the presiding Hearing Officer prepares a recommended order, which sets forth the pertinent facts, discusses applicable law, and proposes a resolution of the case for the Commissioners’ consideration. The Commission regularly holds Open Meetings to deliberate and vote upon the recommended orders. During FY 2001-2002, the Hearing Division prepared a total of 288 recommended orders, 123 for cases involving a hearing and 165 for non-hearing matters, mainly expedited rate applications for small water companies, coin operated pay telephones, and inter/intraLATA resellers. 24 While cases are pending before the Commission, the presiding Hearing Officer may issue procedural orders to govern the preparation and conduct of the proceedings, including: discovery, intervention, the hearing date, filing dates, public notice, and motions. During FY 2001-2002, the Hearing Division issued 467 such orders. During FY 2001-2002, significant dockets were opened concerning electric restructuring. In October 2001, Arizona Public Service Company filed a request for a partial variance to A.A.C. R14-2-1606(B) and for approval of a purchased power agreement with its affiliate, Pinnacle West Capital Corporation. In January 2002, Tucson Electric Power Company filed a Request for Variance. Those applications were consolidated with various related pending electric dockets and the Commission determined that a generic docket should be opened to review the status of the move to electric competition. During FY 2001-2002, the Division conducted hearings in the Commission’s consolidated generic electric restructuring docket, including the “Track A” hearing on the issues of divestiture of generation assets, market power, codes of conduct and affiliate transactions, and on jurisdictional issues. Proceedings in “Track B” dealing with competitive procurement, began with staff-conducted workshops and will continue with hearings in FY 2002-2003. During FY 2001-2002, the Hearing Division conducted hearings examining Qwest’s compliance with wholesale pricing requirements for unbundled network elements and resale discounts. In November 2001 and March 2002, the Hearing Division issued its recommended opinion and order in Phase II of the wholesale cost docket, and in June 2002, the Commission issued Decision No. 64922 adopting new wholesale rates and charges. The recommended opinion and order in Phase IIa will be issued in FY 2002-2003. In addition to the wholesale cost matter, the Hearing Division issued 11 recommended orders and 17 procedural orders on checklist items pertaining to Qwest’s application for Section 271 approval. Financing .................................................... 2 As to FY 2002-2003, the Hearing Division anticipates a heavy hearing workload related to electric competition, including the “Track B” proceedings related to competitive power procurement and Arizona Public Service Company’s financing and rate adjustor applications; telephone competition including Qwest’s Section 271 and 252(e) proceedings; Phase III of the wholesale cost docket; major rate cases including Citizens Electric; and a continued high number cases brought by the Securities Division. In FY 1980-81, the Commission requested and obtained legislative approval to establish a docket control center to ensure the integrity and security of official Commission records. The following public hearings were held during FY 2001-2002: Type of Hearing ................... Number Pre-Hearing Conferences ....................... 56 Orders to Show Cause and Complaints .................................... 54 Certificates of Convenience and Necessity ........................................ 22 Rate Cases .................................................26 Securities Division ................................... 33 Adjudications ............................................. 3 Line Siting ................................................. 10 TOTAL ......................................... 335 Docket Control Center The Docket Control Center maintains the official records for the Utilities, Securities, and Corporations Divisions of the Corporation Commission. In this regard, Docket Control’s functions are similar to a Clerk of the Court’s office. The Docket Control Center also assists the public and staff in retrieving the files and transcripts of cases for use in research. During FY 2001-2002, the docket control center gained a new supervisory position which will be responsible for improving customer service and exploring how technology can improve access to the Commission’s official records. During FY 2001-02, the Docket Control Center processed the following new applications: Responses to Inquiries/ Research/Assistance ....................... 16,000 ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ Fast Facts ○ ○ Miscellaneous (oral arguments, motions to compel, etc.) ..................... 32 Filings docketed & distributed ...... 11,520 The Docket Control Opinion and Orders/Administrative Center responded to CC&N Extensions .................................. 21 Closures processed and mailed ..... 1,142 16,000 inquiries for Transfers/Sales ........................................ 12 New applications input..................... 1,117 research or assistance, Railroad/Pipeline Safety Group ........... 25 Open Meeting items processed .......... 544 up from 15,800 last Public Comments .................................... 20 Certifications ............................................ 40 Rules (new and amended) ........................ 4 Transcripts logged & microfilmed Arbitration .................................................. 0 Utilities ................................................. 256 Generic Investigations .............................. 6 Securities ................................................. 37 Deletions ..................................................... 1 Corporations ............................................ 0 Tariff ............................................................ 8 Miscellaneous (Line Siting) .................. 40 ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ year. ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ Line Extensions/Agreements ................. 0 25 Appendix Table 1 Commission Revenue by Source Fiscal Resources: Through the budget process, the Arizona Corporation Commission identifies fiscal resource requirements to meet its constitutional and statutory responsibilities. The Commission receives funding through several sources: the State General Fund, the Utility Regulation Revolving Funds, the Arts Trust Fund, the Investment Management Act Fund, the Public Access Fund and Federal grants. All sources except federal grants are subject to appropriation. The Administration, Corporations and Hearing Divisions, as well as the Railroad Safety Section, are funded mainly by the General Fund. In addition to the General Fund, the Administration Division receives limited funding from the Utilities Regulation Revolving Fund; the Corporations Division is the recipient of funding from the Arts Trust Fund and Public Access Fund. In addition to General Fund monies, the Securities Division receives a portion of the fees it collects through the Securities Regulatory Commission Revenue by Source Historically, the Commission has generated significantly more revenue from securities and broker registrations, corporation filing fees, fines and miscellaneous service charges than its General Fund requirements. Any revenue that exceeds the Commission’s budget needs flows into the State General Fund and is used to defray the costs of state government. The following tables portray actual revenue and expense data for FY 2000-2001 and FY 2001-2002. Estimated numbers for FY 2002-2003 are offered as well. Actual Actual Estimated 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 Corporation Filing Fees* 7,915,443 8,680,756 8,622,432 Security and Broker Fees* 14,686,068 14,116,544 14,686,068 Miscellaneous Service Charges** 116,683 185,894 83,700 Fines & Forfeitures* 362,434 1,389,000 135,000 10,622,575 8,418,500 10,100,800 85,000 40,000 20,000 Sec Regulatory & Enforcement Fund 3,133,432 2,942,300 2,940,200 Sec Investment Management Act Fund 1,445,778 1,489,749 1,232,400 Public Access Fund 1,991,411 2,077,800 2,184,300 510,318 596,600 596,600 40,869,142 39,937,143 40,601,500 Utility Assessments Pipeline Safety Revolving Fund - Fines Federal Grant*** TOTAL *Deposited in the State General Fund 26 and Enforcement Fund and the Investment Management Act Fund. The Utilities Division, excluding Railroad Safety, and the Legal Division are funded through the Utility Regulation Revolving Fund, which derives its money from assessments on public service corporations. The federal grants are obtained as a reimbursement to the Pipeline Safety Section for accomplishment of certain federal responsibilities. Expenditures by Budget Program Actual Actual Estimated 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 Administration & Hearing Divisions 2,690,439 3,207,300 3,659,000 Corporations Division 3,863,725 4,008,400 4,223,400 Securities Division 4,283,062 5,593,400 5,011,100 Railroad Safety Group 461,716 493,200 500,000 Pipeline Safety Group 1,036,856 1,322,200 1,179,700 Utilities Division 4,995,196 5,481,600 6,083,500 Legal Division 1,229,667 1,485,900 1,568,800 18,560,661 21,592,000 22,225,500 Actual Actual Estimated 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 6,076,978 5,269,400 5,273,200 34,418 36,600 43,500 2,673,081 3,847,100 3,381,100 705,317 733,000 761,200 Utility Regulation Revolving Fund 7,366,369 9,730,300 10,814,700 Public Access Fund 1,545,272 1,734,000 1,789,700 0 73,000 0 159,226 168,600 162,100 18,560,661 21,592,000 22,225,500 TOTAL Expenditures by Fund Source General Fund Arts Trust Fund Sec. Regulatory & Enforcement Fund Sec. Investment Management Act Fund Pipeline Safety Revolving Fund Federal Funds** TOTAL Table 2 Expenditures by Budget Program Table 3 Expenditures by Fund Source **Totals reflected are actual expenditures from the Pipeline Safety Section’s Federal Fund only. 27 Table 4 Corporation Commissioners Since Statehood 28 A.W. Cole W. P. Geary F. A. Jones Amos A. Betts Democrat Democrat Democrat Democrat David F. Johnson Loren Vaughn W. D. Claypool Charles R. Howe Wilson T. Wright John Cummard W. M. Cox William Peterson William Eden William T. Brooks Yale McFate Mit Simms Timothy D. Parkman John H. Barry E. T. “Eddie” Williams, Jr. George F. Senner, Jr. A. P. “Jack” Buzard John P. Clark Milton J. Husky Dick Herbert Charles Garland Russell Williams Al Faron Ernest Garfield Bud Tims Jim Weeks Stanley Akers John Ahearn Diane McCarthy Richard Kimball Junius Hoffman Marianne Jennings Sharon Megdal Renz Jennings Marcia Weeks Dale Morgan Carl J. Kunasek Jim Irvin Tony West William “Bill” Mundell Marc Spitzer Democrat Democrat Democrat Democrat Democrat Democrat Democrat Democrat Democrat Democrat Democrat Democrat Republican Democrat Democrat Democrat Democrat Republican Democrat Democrat Republican Republican Republican Republican Republican Democrat Republican Democrat Republican Democrat Democrat Republican Democrat Democrat Democrat Republican Republican Republican Republican Republican Republican 1912-1917 1912-1915 1912-1919 1917-1933 1938-1945 1919-1924 1921-1932 1925-1930 1931-1936 1933-1953 1933-1934 1935-1940 1941-1946 1944-1947 1947-1958 1947-1948 1949-1958 1954 1955-1956 1957-1968 1959-1962 1959-1962 1963-1964 1965-1970 1965-1971 1969-1974 1970-1974 1970-1976 1973-1978 1975-1983 1977-1982 1979-1980 1980-1981 1981-1984 1983-1985 1984 1984 1985-1986 1985-1999 1985-1996 1987-1995 1995-2001 1997-present 1999 1999-present 2001-present Southern Arizona Office As noted in several areas of this Annual Report, the Corporation Commission maintains a southern Arizona office in Tucson at 400 West Congress Street. This office provides many of the same services as the offices in Phoenix. Sections of the Corporations and Utilities Divisions as well a Hearing Officer from the Hearing Division are located in Tucson. Tucson Personnel assigned to the Utilities Division provided Consumer Services staffing, prepared staff input to rate cases, conducted railroad safety training and inspections as well as fulfilled pipeline safety requirements. The Hearing Officer in Tucson conducts hearings on matters of interest to residents located in Southern Arizona. In addition to holding hearings in Tucson, the Hearing Officer often travels to and conducts hearings in the Southern Arizona communities affected by the proceeding. Southern Arizona Office Not only does availability of the Tucson Office provide a convenience to southern Arizona residents, it facilitates better statewide accomplishment of Corporation Commission responsibilities. 29 Notes 30 Notes 31 Arizona Corporation Commission 1200 West Washington Phoenix, AZ 85007 602-542-3076 www.cc.state.az.us Southern Arizona Office 400 West Congress Street Tucson, AZ 85701 520-628-6554 32