This bill amends existing laws regarding the attendance of utilities commission members at hearings and informational meetings. It mandates that all members of the commission must be present during live testimony at hearings related to public utility regulation, electric transmission lines, pipelines, or hazardous liquid pipelines. If any member is unavailable at any point during the hearing, the meeting must pause and will not resume until all members return. Additionally, the bill stipulates that at least one member of the commission must attend informational meetings concerning the issuance of electric transmission line franchises, pipeline permits, or hazardous liquid pipeline permits, with similar pausing requirements if no member is present.

The bill introduces new subsections to sections 476.33, 478.2, 479.5, and 479B.4, establishing these attendance requirements and ensuring that the commission's presence is maintained during critical discussions that affect landowners and the public. The formal record of these meetings is not required, but the presence of commission members is emphasized to uphold transparency and accountability in the regulatory process.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 476.33, 478.2, 6B.2A