2018 -- H 7561

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LC003643

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2018

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS - PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION

     Introduced By: Representatives Marshall, Edwards, O'Brien, Casey, and Johnston

     Date Introduced: February 09, 2018

     Referred To: House Corporations

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 39-1-4 of the General Laws in Chapter 39-1 entitled "Public

Utilities Commission" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     39-1-4. Composition of commission -- Terms -- Vacancies.

     (a) The public utilities commission shall consist of three (3) five (5) electors selected with

regard to their qualifications and experience in law and government, energy matters, economics

and finance, engineering and accounting., and Three (3) commissioners shall be appointed by the

governor with the advice and consent of the senate. One commissioner shall be appointed by the

speaker of the house of representatives. One commissioner shall be appointed by the president of

the senate. The term of each commissioner shall be six (6) years. The director of administration,

with the approval of the governor, shall allocate the position of each commissioner to one of the

grades established by the pay plan for unclassified employees.

     (b) During the month prior to the expiration of the term of a commissioner, the governor,

the office of commissioner shall be filled in like manner by the appointing authority pursuant to

the provisions of subsection (a) of this section with the advice and consent of the senate shall

appoint a commissioner to succeed the commissioner whose term will then next expire, to serve

for a term of six (6) years commencing on the first day of March then next following, and until

his or her successor is appointed and qualified. A commissioner shall be eligible to succeed him

or herself. Upon the expiration of the term of the chairperson, the governor may designate any

commissioner as chairperson.

     (c) A vacancy in the office of a commissioner, other than by expiration, shall be filled in

like manner as an original appointment, but only for the unexpired portion of the term. If a

vacancy occurs when the senate is not in session, the governor shall appoint a person to fill the

vacancy, but only until the senate shall next convene and give its advice and consent to a new

appointment.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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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 increase the number of commissioners appointed to the PUC from three

(3) to five (5), and would provide that one of the additional appointments is made by the speaker

of the house, and the other appointment is made by the president of the senate.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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