This bill amends the existing law regarding the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) by defining a "majority" as a 2/3 majority of the commission, regardless of any vacancies. It also reclassifies the PUC as an independent regulatory agency. The current provision allowing hearings to be conducted by two commissioners or a single commissioner is deleted, which means that all hearings must now be presided over by at least two-thirds of the commission, effectively requiring all three commissioners to be present for a quorum.

The implications of these changes suggest that the PUC will need to retain a Special Commissioner to ensure that hearings can proceed even when one or more commissioners are unavailable due to various reasons. The estimated cost for retaining this Special Commissioner is projected to be up to $150,850 annually, funded through utility assessments. The bill does not provide new funding or positions, and while it is expected to have a fiscal impact starting after FY 2025, the effect on utility rates and government expenditures is considered to be indeterminable but likely minimal.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 363:1, 363:16