It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

SECTION 1. Chapter 39-1 of the General Laws entitled "Public Utilities Commission" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

{ADD 39-1-27.2. Retail Electric Licensing Commission established. -- ADD} {ADD (a) There is hereby established a Retail Electric Licensing Commission, which shall consist of nine (9) members, all of whom shall be residents of the state of Rhode Island, and who shall be appointed as follows:

(1) Within thirty (30) days of the effective date of this act:

(i) The governor shall appoint three (3) members as follows:

(a) One (1) of whom shall be the administrator of the division of public utilities and carriers within the public utilities commission;

(b) One (1) of whom shall be the director of the department of environmental management; and

(c) One (1) of whom shall be a member of the public;

(ii) The senate majority leader shall appoint three (3) members as follows:

(a) One (1) of whom shall be selected from nominations received from the operators of electric utility companies conducting business in Rhode Island;

(b) One (1) of whom shall be a member of the senate; and

(c) One (1) of whom shall be a member of the public;

(iii) The speaker of the house of representatives shall appoint three (3) members as follows:

(a) One (1) of whom shall be selected from nominations received from the operators of electric utility companies conducting business in Rhode Island;

(b) One (1) of whom shall be a member of the house of representatives; and

(c) One (1) of whom shall be a member of the public.

(b) Forthwith upon appointment of its members, the commission shall meet at the call of the speaker of the house of representatives and organize and select from among its members a chairperson. Vacancies in said commission shall be filled in like manner as the original appointment.

(c) Members of the commission shall not be compensated, but shall be reimbursed for all reasonable and necessary expenses incurred in the carrying out of their official duties by the department of business regulation.

(d) All departments and agencies of the state shall furnish such advice and information, documentary and otherwise, to said commission and its agents as is deemed necessary or desirable by the commission to facilitate the purposes of this act.

(e) The speaker of the house of representatives is hereby authorized and directed to provide administrative support, including suitable quarters for the commission and clerical support, as deemed necessary by the commission to facilitate the purposes of this act.

(f) The commission shall prepare a plan pursuant to the provisions of section 39-1-27.1, and shall submit that plan to the general assembly not later than January 1, 1997. In addition, the commission shall consider such other matters related to the implementation of the Utility Restructuring Act of 1996 as it so deems, providing advice and recommendations thereon, and said commission shall expire on April 30, 1997. ADD}

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.