35-A §1701. Appointment and staff
Title 35-A: PUBLIC UTILITIES HEADING: PL 1987, C. 141, PT. A, §6 (NEW)
Part 1: PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION HEADING: PL 1989, C. 502, PT. A, §123 (RP)
Chapter 17: PUBLIC ADVOCATE HEADING: PL 1987, C. 141, PT. A, §6 (NEW)
§1701. Appointment and staff
1. Appointment of the Public Advocate.
[ 2009, c. 399, §1 (RP) .]
1-A. Appointment of the Public Advocate; term; removal. This subsection governs the appointment, term of service and removal of the Public Advocate.
A. The Governor shall appoint the Public Advocate, subject to review by the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over public utilities matters and to confirmation by the Legislature. [2009, c. 399, §2 (NEW).]
B. The Public Advocate shall serve for a 4-year term of office, beginning on February 1, 2013 and every 4 years thereafter. [2009, c. 399, §2 (NEW).]
C. The Public Advocate may continue to serve beyond the end of the 4-year term until a successor is appointed and qualified. [2009, c. 399, §2 (NEW).]
D. Any vacancy occurring must be filled by appointment for the unexpired portion of the term. [2009, c. 399, §2 (NEW).]
E. Any willful violation of this chapter by the Public Advocate constitutes sufficient cause for removal of the Public Advocate by the Governor, on the address of both branches of the Legislature or by impeachment pursuant to the Constitution of Maine, Article IX, Section 5. [2009, c. 399, §2 (NEW).]
[ 2009, c. 399, §2 (NEW) .]
2. Staff of the Public Advocate. The staff of the Public Advocate shall consist of such other personnel, including staff attorneys, as the Public Advocate determines necessary to represent the using and consuming public, as required by subsection 1702. All such personnel shall be appointed, supervised and directed by the Public Advocate. The Public Advocate is not subject to the supervision, direction or control of the chairman or members of the commission.
[ 1987, c. 141, Pt. A, §6 (NEW) .]
3. Salaries of certain employees. The salaries of the following employees of the Public Advocate are within the following salary ranges:
A. Deputy Public Advocate, salary range 53; [1999, c. 259, §4 (NEW).]
B. Senior Counsel, salary range 36; [1999, c. 259, §4 (NEW).]
C. Economic Analyst, salary range 36; [1999, c. 259, §4 (NEW).]
D. Research Assistant, salary range 30; [1999, c. 259, §4 (NEW).]
E. Business Services Manager, salary range 26; and [1999, c. 259, §4 (NEW).]
F. Special Assistant to the Public Advocate, salary range 20. [1999, c. 259, §4 (NEW).]
The employees listed in this subsection serve at the pleasure of the Public Advocate and are confidential employees. All other employees of the Public Advocate are subject to the Civil Service Law.
The Public Advocate may, at the Public Advocate's discretion, substitute an Economic Analyst position at salary range 36 for any vacant Senior Counsel position. The Public Advocate also may compensate one or more Senior Counsels at salary range 37 if, in the judgment of the Public Advocate, an increase is necessary to provide competitive salary levels.
[ 2001, c. 476, §1 (AMD) .]
SECTION HISTORY
1987, c. 141, §A6 (NEW). 1999, c. 259, §4 (AMD). 2001, c. 476, §1 (AMD). 2009, c. 399, §§1, 2 (AMD).