TITLE XXXIV
PUBLIC UTILITIES

CHAPTER 363
THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION

Support Personnel to Commission

Section 363:28-a

    363:28-a Residential Ratepayers Advisory Board. –
I. There is established the residential ratepayers advisory board. The advisory board shall consist of the following public members:
(a) Three members appointed by the speaker of the house. One shall represent the interests of residential ratepayers; one shall represent the interests of the elderly; and one shall be a member of the public.
(b) Three members appointed by the senate president. One shall represent the interests of residential ratepayers; one shall represent the interests of the disabled; and one shall represent environmental concerns.
(c) Three members appointed by the governor and council. One shall represent the interests of persons of low income; one shall represent the interests of small business owners; and one shall represent the interests of residents of low-income housing.
II. Members shall serve 3-year terms. In the event of death or resignation of any member of the advisory board, the person or entity that made the original appointment shall appoint a successor, and the successor appointed to the vacancy shall serve for the remainder of the unexpired term. The members of the board shall receive no compensation but shall be entitled to reimbursement for mileage at the same rate provided for state employees.
III. The board shall elect annually a chairperson from among its membership.
IV. The board shall receive administrative support from the office of the consumer advocate.
V. (a) The board shall meet at least quarterly and at the call of the chairperson or 3 board members. The consumer advocate shall be present for all board meetings to inform the board of the actions of the office of the consumer advocate and to respond to the board's inquiries.
(b) Except as pertains to any end user of an excepted local exchange carrier or services provided to such end user, the board shall advise the consumer advocate on matters concerning residential ratepayers.
(c) Prior to the expiration of the consumer advocate's term, the board shall recommend to the governor and council whether to reappoint the consumer advocate. If the board does not recommend reappointment or the governor and council do not accept the board's recommendation to reappoint, the board shall then recommend 3 persons to the governor and council to fill the position.

Source. 1999, 167:3, eff. Aug. 30, 1999. 2012, 177:4, eff. Aug. 10, 2012.