This bill amends the structure and responsibilities of the Residential Ratepayers Advisory Board, which is tasked with overseeing the office of the consumer advocate to ensure that residential utility customers receive safe, reliable service at the lowest possible cost. The new composition of the board includes three members appointed by the Speaker of the House, three by the Senate President, and three by the Governor and Council, each representing various interests such as residential ratepayers, the elderly, the disabled, environmental concerns, low-income individuals, small business owners, and residents of low-income housing. Members will serve three-year terms without compensation, but they will be reimbursed for mileage.

Additionally, the bill outlines the board's operational procedures, including the requirement for quarterly meetings and the presence of the consumer advocate at these meetings. The board will have the authority to recommend the reappointment or removal of the consumer advocate based on performance, with specific provisions for the removal process. The previous law, RSA 363:28-a, is repealed and replaced with this new framework, which emphasizes the board's advisory role and its focus on the interests of residential ratepayers. The act will take effect 90 days after its passage.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 12-P:5, 12-P:16, 53-E:7, 94:1-a, 363:28-a, 363-A:2, 365:37, 369-B:2, 374-F:11
As Amended by the House: 363:28