2013 -- H 6107

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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 AND CARRIERS -- COMPOSITION OF COMMISSION

-- TERMS -- VACANCIES

     Introduced By: Representatives Handy, E Coderre, Slater, Valencia, and Ucci

     Date Introduced: May 14, 2013

     Referred To: House Corporations

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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

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commission -- Terms – Vacancies – Membership and diversity. -- (a) The public utilities

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commission shall consist of three (3) five (5) electors selected with regard to their qualifications

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

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accounting, and consumer income, and appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of

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the senate. The governor shall strive to achieve a diverse membership in the board by considering

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for selection electors that have experience working on behalf of the interests of low and middle

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income consumers, and give due consideration to recommendations and input from organizations

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that advocate for low income consumers and groups that advocate for middle income consumers.

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

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

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established by the pay plan for unclassified employees.

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

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with the advice and consent of the senate shall appoint a commissioner to succeed the

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commissioner whose term will then next expire, to serve for a term of six (6) years commencing

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on the first day of March then next following, and until his or her successor is appointed and

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qualified. A commissioner shall be eligible to succeed him or herself. Upon the expiration of the

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term of the chairperson, the governor may designate any commissioner as chairperson.

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

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

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

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

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appointment.

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     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 -- COMPOSITION OF COMMISSION

-- TERMS -- VACANCIES

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     This act would increase the membership of the public utilities commission from three (3)

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members to five (5) members and further require the governor to strive to achieve a diverse

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membership in the board by considering for selection electors that have experience working on

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behalf of the interests of low and middle income consumers and give due consideration to

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recommendations and input from organizations that advocate for low income consumers and

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groups that advocate for middle income consumers.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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