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House Engrossed
residential utility consumer office; businesses (now: Arizona utility consumer office) |
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State of Arizona House of Representatives Fifty-sixth Legislature Second Regular Session 2024
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HOUSE BILL 2131 |
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An Act
amending sections 40-461, 40-462 and 40-464, Arizona Revised Statutes; relating to the Arizona utility consumer office.
(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:
Section 1. Section 40-461, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:
40-461. Definitions
In this article, unless the context otherwise requires:
1. "Director" means the director of the residential Arizona utility consumer office.
2. "Office" means the residential Arizona utility consumer office.
3. "Public service corporation" means a public service corporation as defined in article XV, section 2, Constitution of Arizona except a member-owned nonprofit cooperative corporation.
Sec. 2. Section 40-462, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:
40-462. Arizona utility consumer office; director
A. A The residential Arizona utility consumer office is established to represent the interests of residential and small commercial utility consumers in regulatory proceedings involving public service corporations before the corporation commission.
B. The governor shall appoint the director of the office pursuant to section 38-211. The director serves at the pleasure of the governor. The director must possess management and administrative skills, as well as knowledge and experience relating to the regulation of utilities.
Sec. 3. Section 40-464, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:
40-464. Powers and duties
A. The director may:
1. Research, study and analyze residential and small commercial utility consumer interests.
2. Prepare and present briefs, arguments, proposed rates or orders and intervene or appear on behalf of residential and small commercial utility consumers before hearing officers and the corporation commission as a party in interest and also participate as a party in interest pursuant to sections 40-254 and 40-254.01 in proceedings relating to rate making or rate design and involving public service corporations, except that the director shall not participate in any proceedings pursuant to this paragraph involving a member-owned nonprofit cooperative corporation.
3. Make and execute contracts and other instruments as necessary to perform his the director's duties.
4. Hire employees subject to title 41, chapter 4, article 4 as necessary to carry out this article and contract for special services as needed.
5. Employ such attorneys as are required to represent the interests of residential and small commercial utility consumers.
B. The director shall adopt administrative rules necessary to carry out the purposes of this article.
C. All contacts by residential and small commercial utility consumers with regard to quality or quantity of service provided by a public service corporation shall be recorded by the office for the purpose of determining general concerns of consumers. The office may advise the consumer of other agencies that may be of further assistance and shall refer the consumer to the corporation commission utilities division consumer services section established in by section 40-110.