This bill aims to amend and reenact section 24-1-7 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, to ensure that the rules and regulations established by the Public Service Commission are subject to legislative rule-making review procedures. The proposed changes include the insertion of language that mandates all rules and regulations to be promulgated in accordance with the provisions of 29A-3-1 et seq. of the code, which outlines the legislative rule-making process. Additionally, the bill removes the previous exemption that allowed the Public Service Commission's rules and regulations to bypass these legislative review procedures.

Furthermore, the bill clarifies that any rules and regulations adopted prior to the effective date of this amendment will remain in effect unless altered in accordance with the new provisions. It also maintains the commission's discretion in its investigations and hearings, allowing it to operate without being strictly bound by technical rules of evidence and pleading. The bill emphasizes the importance of transparency by requiring that all orders from the commission include specific findings of fact and conclusions of law, supported by evidence from the record.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 24-1-7