15-72-102. Legislative findings and declaration of purpose. (1) The legislature finds that the restructuring of the electric utility industry in Montana implemented by Chapter 505, Laws of 1997, including the unbundling of services and the provision that allows Montana customers to choose their supplier of electricity and related services in a competitive market, renders the existing method of property taxation of the electric utility industry an impediment to competition.

(2) The legislature further finds that the restructuring of the electric utility industry necessitates changes to the existing system of property taxation that include reducing the tax rate applied to electrical generation facilities and imposing a replacement tax in order to:

(a) avoid placing a supplier engaged in the business of generating, supplying, or selling electricity at a competitive advantage or disadvantage;

(b) preserve the revenue base of the existing property tax system for taxing jurisdictions in the state;

(c) minimize the shift in tax burden and the imposition of a higher tax burden on consumers of electricity; and

(d) minimize additional administrative costs and the burden of compliance.

(3) The legislature further finds that a reduction in the property tax rates applied to electrical generation facilities must be replaced by a wholesale energy transaction tax imposed on each kilowatt hour of electricity transmitted in the state.

(4) The legislature further finds that existing property tax rates applied to electrical transmission and distribution systems are appropriate for a regulated function.

(5) The legislature therefore declares that there is a compelling public need to modify the existing system of property taxation of electrical generation facilities and to impose a wholesale energy transaction tax on kilowatt hours of electricity transmitted in the state to ensure competitive neutrality and to provide replacement revenue to taxing jurisdictions in the state.