HB 2131 — residential utility consumer office; businesses

Fifty-sixthHouse LegislatureEngrossed Naturalresidential Resources,utility Energyconsumer &office; Water Second Regular Session H.B.

2131businesses PROPOSED(now: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AMENDMENTS TO H.B.

2131Arizona (Referenceutility toconsumer printedoffice) bill)State Pageof 1,Arizona betweenHouse linesof 1Representatives andFifty-sixth 2,Legislature insert:Second Regular Session HOUSE BILL 2131 AN ACT AMENDING SECTIONS 40-461, 40-462 AND 40-464, ARIZONA REVISED STATUTES;

"SectionRELATING 1.TO THE ARIZONA UTILITY CONSUMER OFFICE.

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE) - i - H.B.

2131 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:

Section 1.

"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."corporation. Renumber to conform Line 4, strike "Residential" insert "Arizona" Line 5, strike "residential" insert "ARIZONA" Amend title to conform GAIL GRIFFIN 2131GRIFFIN.docx 02/09/2024 04:52 PM H:

EB/lsSec.

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.

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2131 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.