2013 -- H 5604 SUBSTITUTE A

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LC01549/SUB A

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2013

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A N A C T

RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES - PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION

     Introduced By: Representatives Slater, and Diaz

     Date Introduced: February 27, 2013

     Referred To: House Corporations

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Section 39-1-37.1 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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     39-1-37.1. Ratepayers advisory board. -- (a) There is hereby established the ratepayers

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advisory board. The advisory board shall consist of the following public members:

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      (1) Three (3) Four (4) members appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives,

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one of whom shall represent the interests of residential ratepayers; one of whom shall represent

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the interests of the elderly and disabled; and one of whom shall represent a community-based

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consumer organization representing low-income individuals, and one of whom shall represent a

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LIHEAP consumer.

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      (2) Three (3) Four (4) members appointed by the senate president, one of whom shall

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represent the interests of residential ratepayers; one of whom shall represent a chamber of

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commerce; and one of whom shall represent a non-profit energy consortium of businesses, and

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one of whom shall represent a community action agency LIHEAP program provider.

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      (3) Three (3) members appointed by the governor, one of whom shall represent the

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LIHEAP program administration; one of whom shall represent the interests of small business

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owners; and one of whom shall represent the interests of residents of affordable housing.

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      (b) The appointments to the advisory board shall be made as follows: each appointing

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authority shall appoint one member to serve a term of one year, one member to serve a term of

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two (2) years, and one member to serve a term of three (3) years. Thereafter, each member

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appointed to the advisory board shall serve a three (3) year term. The board members are eligible

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to succeed themselves. A vacancy, other than by expiration of a term, shall be filled in the manner

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of the original appointment, but only for the unexpired portion of the term.

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      (c) Five (5) members shall constitute a quorum. A majority vote of the board shall be

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required for all recommendations, advice, and approvals of the board, in accordance with this

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section.

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      (d) A board member shall not receive compensation for his or her service on the board

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but may receive reimbursement for travel and other necessary expenses, while engaged in the

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performance of official duties of the board.

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      (e) The board shall elect annually a chairperson and vice chairperson from among its

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membership.

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      (f) The board shall receive staff and administrative support from the division, to organize

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meetings and take and distribute minutes. The division shall also furnish the advisory board a

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suitable location to hold its meetings.

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      (g) The board shall meet at least quarterly and at the call of the chairperson or four (4)

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board members. The administrator shall be present for all board meetings to inform the board of

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the actions of the division and to respond to the board's inquiries.

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      (h) The board shall review legislative proposals and comment on existing state laws

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relating to residential ratepayers.

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      (i) The board shall advise the administrator on matters concerning residential ratepayers

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including, but not limited to utility shut-off policies, rate affordability, conservation measures,

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consumer education, smart meters and/or restricted use meters, customer service charges,

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legislation pending before the general assembly, and legislative initiatives.

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      (j) The advisory board shall issue an annual report of findings, including

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recommendations on current or proposed state programs, policies, regulations and laws, to the

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governor and the general assembly.

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      (k) The board shall be subject to the provisions of chapter 38-2, Access to Public

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Records Act, and chapter 42-46, Open Meetings Act.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC01549/SUB A

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N A C T

RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES - PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION

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     This act would add two additional members to the public utilities commission ratepayers

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advisory board.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC01549/SUB A

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