2012 -- H 7526

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LC01445

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2012

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A N A C T

RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS - PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION

     

     

     Introduced By: Representative Raymond E. Gallison

     Date Introduced: February 15, 2012

     Referred To: House Corporations

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Section 39-1-3 of the General Laws in Chapter 39-1 entitled "Public

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Utilities Commission" is hereby amended to read as follows:

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     39-1-3. Commission and division established -- Functions of commission --

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Administrator. -- (a) To implement the legislative policy set forth in section 39-1-1 and to serve

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as the agencies of the state in effectuating the legislative purpose, there are hereby established a

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public utilities commission and a division of public utilities and carriers. The commission shall

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serve as a quasi-judicial tribunal with jurisdiction, powers, and duties to implement and enforce

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the standards of conduct under section 39-1-27.6 and to hold investigations and hearings

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involving the rates, tariffs, tolls, and charges, and the sufficiency and reasonableness of facilities

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and accommodations of railroad, ferry boats, gas, electric distribution, water, telephone,

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telegraph, and pipeline public utilities, the location of railroad depots and stations, ferry boats,

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and the control of grade crossings, the revocation, suspension, or alteration of certificates issued

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pursuant to section 39-19-4, appeals under section 39-1-30, petitions under section 39-1-31, and

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proceedings under section 39-1-32.

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      (b) The administrator shall be a person who is not a commissioner and who shall

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exercise the jurisdiction, supervision, powers, and duties not specifically assigned to the

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commission, including the execution of all laws relating to public utilities and carriers and all

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regulations and orders of the commission governing the conduct and charges of public utilities

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and who shall perform such other duties and have such powers as are hereinafter set forth. The

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administrator shall be a person who is appointed by the governor for an initial term of six (6)

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years. The administrator shall be appointed with the advice and consent of the senate. The

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director of administration, with the approval of the governor, shall allocate the administrator to

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one of the grades established by the pay plan for unclassified employees. The public utilities

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administrator also shall have such powers and duties as provided in section 46-15.3-20.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

     

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LC01445

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N A C T

RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS - PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION

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     This act would make the public utilities commission the quasi-judicial tribunal with the

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authority to hold hearings and investigations of ferry boats.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

     

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LC01445

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H7526