In order to carry out essential elements of a sustainable and effective consumer protection program in connection with core transport agents offering gas service to core gas customers as intended by the Legislature in this chapter, the following shall apply:
(a)
A registration fee of one hundred dollars ($100) shall be collected from a core transport agent required to register under this chapter and the fee proceeds shall be deposited in the Public Utilities Reimbursement Account established under Section 402. The commission may adjust the fee as necessary to recover the cost of administering the program.
(b)
The commission shall annually determine the costs of administering the registration program and other facets of consumer protection directly related to the core transport service transactions of core transport agents, including the cost for the duties imposed pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 984.5. The commission shall only collect those costs not already being collected elsewhere. Registrants who fail to submit to the commission required fees or information upon which fees are calculated within 30 days of billing shall be subject to a 15-percent penalty.