§ 39-1-3 - Commission and division established – Functions of commission – Administrator.
SECTION 39-1-3
§ 39-1-3 Commission and divisionestablished – Functions of commission – Administrator. – (a) To implement the legislative policy set forth in § 39-1-1 and to serveas the agencies of the state in effectuating the legislative purpose, there arehereby established a public utilities commission and a division of publicutilities and carriers. The commission shall serve as a quasi-judicial tribunalwith jurisdiction, powers, and duties to implement and enforce the standards ofconduct under § 39-1-27.6 and to hold investigations and hearingsinvolving the rates, tariffs, tolls, and charges, and the sufficiency andreasonableness of facilities and accommodations of railroad, gas, electricdistribution, water, telephone, telegraph, and pipeline public utilities, thelocation of railroad depots and stations, and the control of grade crossings,the revocation, suspension, or alteration of certificates issued pursuant to§ 39-19-4, appeals under § 39-1-30, petitions under § 39-1-31,and proceedings under § 39-1-32.
(b) The administrator shall be a person who is not acommissioner and who shall exercise the jurisdiction, supervision, powers, andduties not specifically assigned to the commission, including the execution ofall laws relating to public utilities and carriers and all regulations andorders of the commission governing the conduct and charges of public utilitiesand who shall perform such other duties and have such powers as are hereinafterset forth. The administrator shall be a person who is appointed by the governorfor an initial term of six (6) years. The administrator shall be appointed withthe advice and consent of the senate. The director of administration, with theapproval of the governor, shall allocate the administrator to one of the gradesestablished by the pay plan for unclassified employees. The public utilitiesadministrator also shall have such powers and duties as provided in §46-15.3-20.