2023 -- H 5490 SUBSTITUTE A | |
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LC000117/SUB A/2 | |
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND | |
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY | |
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023 | |
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A N A C T | |
RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- RATE INCREASE MEETINGS | |
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Introduced By: Representatives Morales, Potter, Newberry, Cortvriend, Kislak, McEntee, | |
Date Introduced: February 10, 2023 | |
Referred To: House Corporations | |
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: | |
1 | SECTION 1. Section 39-1-11 of the General Laws in Chapter 39-1 entitled "Public Utilities |
2 | Commission" is hereby amended to read as follows: |
3 | 39-1-11. Proceedings before commission. |
4 | (a) The commission shall adopt reasonable rules and regulations governing the procedure |
5 | to be followed in any matter that may come before it for a hearing, and in the hearing the |
6 | commission shall not be bound by technical rules of evidence. The commission shall sit as an |
7 | impartial, independent body, and is charged with the duty of rendering independent decisions |
8 | affecting the public interest and private rights based upon the law and upon the evidence presented |
9 | before it by the division and by the parties in interest. The presence of one commissioner shall |
10 | constitute a quorum at all hearings, provided that the concurrence of a majority of the commission |
11 | shall be required for the rendering of a decision. |
12 | (b) At least one public hearing conducted by the commission, during which public |
13 | comment will be elicited related to a utility rate increase, shall be held on Monday, Tuesday, |
14 | Wednesday, or Thursday at or after 5:30 pm. This requirement does not prohibit the commission |
15 | from conducting additional hearings to elicit public comment in a matter during regular business |
16 | hours. |
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1 | 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 -- RATE INCREASE MEETINGS | |
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1 | This act would require public hearings of the commission related to utility rate increases |
2 | be conducted on Monday through Thursday after 5:30 pm. |
3 | This act would take effect upon passage. |
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