2015 -- H 5705

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LC001490

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2015

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS - PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION

     Introduced By: Representative Blake Anthony Filippi

     Date Introduced: February 26, 2015

     Referred To: House Corporations

     (by request)

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) electors selected with regard to their qualifications and

experience in law and government, energy matters, economics and finance, engineering and

accounting, and appointed by the governor with the advice and consent 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,

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.

     (d) In matters involving common carriers of persons and/or property operating upon

water between termini within this state on a year-round basis, the matter or petition shall be heard

by two (2) commissioners and a designee of the city or town council of the municipality most

dependent upon the service provided by said common carrier. The make-up of the commission in

such matters will be achieved by the replacement of one commissioner on a rotating basis

commencing with the commissioner who has the least amount of years of service.

     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 require that matters or petitions involving common carriers of persons

and/or property upon water between termini within this state on a year-round basis be heard by

two (2) commissioners and the designee of the city or town council most dependent upon the

service provided.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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