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 may need to retain a Special Commissioner to ensure that a quorum can be met, especially in cases where commissioners are unavailable due to various obligations or unforeseen circumstances. The estimated cost for retaining a 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 any fiscal impact on utility rates or government expenditures is expected to be minimal and indeterminable.

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