PRINTER'S NO. 943

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA


SENATE BILL

No. 845 Session of 1979


        INTRODUCED BY HAGER, STAUFFER, JUBELIRER, ANDREWS, MOORE,
           HOWARD, CORMAN, PRICE, LOEPER, TILGHMAN, MANBECK, O'CONNELL,
           KUSSE AND DWYER, JUNE 20, 1979

        REFERRED TO CONSUMER AFFAIRS, JUNE 20, 1979

                                     AN ACT

     1  Amending Title 66 (Public Utilities) of the Pennsylvania
     2     Consolidated Statutes, by providing for the Office of Public
     3     Counsel and making repeals.

     4     The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
     5  hereby enacts as follows:
     6     Section 1.  Section 102 of Title 66, act of November 25, 1970
     7  (P.L.707, No.230), known as the Pennsylvania Consolidated
     8  Statutes, is amended by adding a definition to read:
     9  § 102.  Definitions.
    10     Subject to additional definitions contained in subsequent
    11  provisions of this part which are applicable to specific
    12  provisions of this part, the following words and phrases when
    13  used in this part shall have, unless the context clearly
    14  indicates otherwise, the meanings given to them in this section:
    15     * * *
    16     "Using and consuming public."  Any person:
    17         (1)  who makes a direct use or is the ultimate recipient
    18     of a product or a service supplied by any person or public

     1     utility subject to the authority of the commission; or
     2         (2)  who may be a direct user or ultimate recipient of a
     3     product or service supplied by any person or public utility
     4     subject to the authority of the commission and may be
     5     affected in any way or by any action within the authority of
     6     the commission and includes any person, corporation or
     7     municipal corporation.
     8     * * *
     9     Section 2.  Section 308 and subsection (a) of section 510 of
    10  Title 66 are amended to read:
    11  § 308.  Bureaus.
    12     (a)  Enumeration.--There shall be established within the
    13  commission the following bureaus and functions:
    14         (1)  Law Bureau.
    15         (2)  Bureau of Conservation, Economics and Energy
    16     Planning.
    17         (3)  Bureau of Consumer Services.
    18     (b)  Law Bureau.--The Law Bureau shall be a [multifunction]
    19  legal staff, [consisting of a prosecutory function and]
    20  providing an advisory function. [Prosecutory counsel shall be
    21  responsible for and shall assist in the development of,
    22  challenge of, and representation on the record of all matters in
    23  the public's interest.] Advisory counsel shall advise the
    24  commission on any and all matters. The counsel shall appear on
    25  behalf of the commission in all courts of record and before
    26  district magistrates. [No counsel shall in the same case or a
    27  factually related case perform duties in the prosecutory and
    28  advisory functions, if such performance would represent a
    29  conflict of interest.]
    30     (c)  Bureau of Conservation, Economics and Energy Planning.--
    19790S0845B0943                  - 2 -

     1  The Bureau of Conservation, Economics and Energy Planning shall
     2  conduct studies and research all matters within the commission's
     3  jurisdiction and advise the commission of the results thereof in
     4  order to enable the commission to provide prospective regulation
     5  in the best interest of all parties concerned. Such studies and
     6  research shall include long-range forecasting of energy needs
     7  and development; research into the use of new, efficient and
     8  economic methods of energy production; the review of the
     9  efficiency of the present generating systems operated within
    10  this Commonwealth; and the development of an effective program
    11  of energy conservation. The commission shall require all
    12  electric and gas public utilities subject to its jurisdiction to
    13  file with it an annual conservation report which shows the plans
    14  and progress achieved on programs of energy conservation. The
    15  commission shall, by rule, prescribe guidelines for the form and
    16  manner of such annual conservation report which report shall
    17  describe the current and proposed programs of each such utility
    18  designed to educate and encourage its customers in the optimum,
    19  effective and efficient use by them of electric and gas energy.
    20  The report shall include an accounting of the monetary and
    21  personnel resources actually or proposed to be expended or
    22  devoted to and the actual or anticipated results of such
    23  programs. The bureau shall review all proposals for electric and
    24  gas public utility plant expansion and shall submit for
    25  consideration of the commission its findings on what impact, if
    26  any, the electric and gas public utility plant expansion will
    27  have on rates charged by the public utility.
    28     [(d)  Bureau of Consumer Services.--The Bureau of Consumer
    29  Services shall investigate and have prepared replies to all
    30  informal consumer complaints and shall advise the commission as
    19790S0845B0943                  - 3 -

     1  to the need for formal commission action on any matters brought
     2  to its attention by the complaints. The bureau shall on behalf
     3  of the commission keep records of all complaints received, the
     4  matter complained of, the utility involved, and the disposition
     5  thereof and shall at least annually report to the commission on
     6  such matters. The commission may take official notice of all
     7  complaints and the nature thereof in any proceeding before the
     8  commission in which the utility is a party. The commission shall
     9  adopt, publish and generally make available rules by which a
    10  consumer may make informal complaints. The bureau shall also
    11  assist and advise the commission on matters of safety compliance
    12  by public utilities.]
    13     (e)  Other bureaus.--The commission shall establish such
    14  bureau or bureaus to perform such duties as the commission may
    15  prescribe regarding all matters respecting rates of public
    16  utilities and all matters respecting common carriers and
    17  contract carriers. The establishment of these bureaus shall not
    18  be construed to prohibit the commission from establishing any
    19  additional bureaus which the commission finds necessary to
    20  protect the interests of the people of this Commonwealth. The
    21  bureaus may perform such other duties not inconsistent with law
    22  as the commission may direct.
    23     [(f)  Staff testimony.--Members of the staff of the
    24  commission shall appear and present testimony in any proceeding
    25  before the commission when called by the commission or any of
    26  the parties to the proceeding. In addition to any cross-
    27  examination by counsel as provided in section 306 (relating to
    28  counsel), any member of the commission staff who participates in
    29  the analysis, review and conclusions in any proceedings before
    30  the commission may, in the discretion of commission counsel and
    19790S0845B0943                  - 4 -

     1  with the consent of the presiding officer, cross-examine any
     2  witness presented by the parties to the proceeding at the public
     3  hearing.]
     4  § 510.  Assessment for regulatory expenses upon public
     5          utilities.
     6     (a)  Determination of assessment.--Before March 1 of each
     7  year, the commission shall estimate its total expenditures in
     8  the administration of this part for the fiscal year beginning
     9  July of that year, which estimate shall not exceed [three-
    10  tenths] one and one-fourth tenths of 1% of the total gross
    11  intrastate operating revenues of the public utilities under its
    12  jurisdiction for the preceding calendar year. [Such estimate
    13  shall be submitted to the Governor, and to the appropriation
    14  committees of the House and Senate through their respective
    15  chairmen, for their respective approvals of such estimate in the
    16  amount submitted or such lesser amount as each of them may
    17  determine. Unless the Governor, or either committee through its
    18  chairman, shall notify the commission in writing of his or its
    19  action within 30 days after such submission, the estimate as
    20  submitted shall be deemed approved by him or by the committee.
    21  The least of the amounts so approved by the three approving
    22  authorities shall be the final estimate; and approval of such
    23  least amount shall constitute compliance with section 604 of the
    24  act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.177, No.175), known as "The
    25  Administrative Code of 1929." The commission or its designated
    26  representatives shall be afforded an opportunity to appear
    27  before the Senate and House Appropriations Committees regarding
    28  their estimates.] The commission shall subtract from the [final]
    29  estimate:
    30         (1)  the estimated fees to be collected pursuant to
    19790S0845B0943                  - 5 -

     1     section 317 (relating to fees for services rendered by
     2     commission); and
     3         (2)  the estimated balance of the appropriation,
     4     specified in section 511 (relating to disposition,
     5     appropriation and disbursement of assessments and fees), to
     6     be carried over into such fiscal year from the preceding one.
     7  The remainder so determined, herein called the total assessment,
     8  shall be allocated to, and paid by, such public utilities in the
     9  manner prescribed in this part. A proposed budget shall be
    10  submitted to the General Assembly. If the General Assembly fails
    11  to approve the commission's budget for the purposes of this
    12  part, by June 1, the commission shall assess public utilities on
    13  the basis of the last approved operating budget. At such time as
    14  the General Assembly approves the proposed budget the commission
    15  shall have the authority to make an adjustment in the
    16  assessments to reflect the approved budget.
    17     * * *
    18     Section 3.  Part I of Title 66 is amended by adding a chapter
    19  to read:
    20                             CHAPTER 35
    21                      OFFICE OF PUBLIC COUNSEL
    22  Sec.
    23  3501.  Office of Public Counsel.
    24  3502.  Public Counsel; appointment and office.
    25  3503.  Assistant counsel and staff.
    26  3504.  Authority and duty of the Public Counsel.
    27  3505.  Authority and duty of the commission.
    28  3506.  Complaints and prosecutions.
    29  3607.  Actions brought by Public Counsel.
    30  3508.  Proposed guidelines, rules, regulations and
    19790S0845B0943                  - 6 -

     1         guidelines of the commission.
     2  3509.  Public interest.
     3  3510.  Annual report by Public Counsel.
     4  3511.  Assessment of regulatory expenses upon public utilities.
     5  § 3501.  Office of Public Counsel.
     6     There is hereby established within the Governor's Office the
     7  Office of Public Counsel to represent the interest of the using
     8  and consuming public before the commission.
     9  § 3502.  Public Counsel; appointment and office.
    10     (a)  Appointment.--The Office of Public Counsel shall be
    11  headed by a Public Counsel who shall be appointed by the
    12  Governor, which appointment shall be subject to the approval of
    13  a majority of the members elected to the Senate. The Public
    14  Counsel shall be an attorney who by reason of training,
    15  experience and attainment is qualified to represent the
    16  interests of the using and consuming public. The salary of the
    17  Public Counsel shall be set by the Executive Board.
    18     (b)  Office of Public Counsel.--No individual who serves as a
    19  Public Counsel shall, while serving in such position, engage in
    20  any business, vocation, other employment or have other
    21  interests, inconsistent with his official responsibilities, nor
    22  shall be seek or accept employment nor render beneficial
    23  services for compensation with any person or corporation,
    24  subject to the authority of the commission during the tenure of
    25  the appointment and for a period of two years after the
    26  appointment is served or terminated.
    27  § 3503.  Assistant counsel and staff.
    28     The Public Counsel shall appoint attorneys as assistant
    29  counsels and such additional clerical, technical and
    30  professional staff as may be appropriate and may contract for
    19790S0845B0943                  - 7 -

     1  such additional services as shall be necessary for the
     2  performance of his function. The compensation of assistant
     3  counsels and such clerical, technical and professional staff
     4  shall be set by the Executive Board. No assistant counsel or
     5  other staff employee shall, while serving in such position,
     6  engage in any business, vocation, other employment or have other
     7  interests, inconsistent with his official responsibilities.
     8  § 3504.  Authority and duty of the Public Counsel.
     9     (a)  Authority of Public Counsel.--In addition to any other
    10  authority conferred upon him by this chapter, the Public Counsel
    11  is authorized and it shall be his duty, in carrying out his
    12  responsibilities under this chapter, to protect the interests of
    13  the using and consuming public before the commission in any
    14  matter properly before the commission and before any court or
    15  agency, initiating proceedings if in his judgment such may be
    16  necessary, in connection with any matter involving regulation by
    17  the commission or the corresponding regulatory agency of the
    18  United States whether on appeal or otherwise initiated.
    19     (b)  Duty and responsibility.--When deemed necessary by the
    20  Public Counsel in the interest of the using and consuming
    21  public, the Public Counsel may:
    22         (1)  Initiate and prosecute complaints involving the
    23     reasonableness of all rates charged or proposed to be charged
    24     by a public utility, the service furnished or proposed to be
    25     furnished by a public utility or any other matter over which
    26     the commission has jurisdiction.
    27         (2)  Intervene in any proceeding brought before or
    28     initiated by the commission.
    29         (3)  Review, investigate, make studies and make
    30     appropriate recommendations to the commission with respect to
    19790S0845B0943                  - 8 -

     1     any matter over which the commission has jurisdiction.
     2         (4)  Investigate complaints affecting the using and
     3     consuming public generally which are directed to the
     4     commission, members of the commission, or the Public Counsel
     5     and take such action or make such recommendations as may be
     6     appropriate with respect to such complaints.
     7         (5)  Assist, advise and cooperate with Federal, State and
     8     local agencies, officials and groups to protect and promote
     9     the interests of the using and consuming public.
    10         (6)  Study the operation of laws affecting the using and
    11     consuming public and recommend to the Governor and the
    12     General Assembly such new laws or revisions as may be
    13     desirable.
    14         (7)  Organize and hold conferences on problems affecting
    15     the using and consuming public.
    16         (8)  Perform such other acts as may be incidental to the
    17     exercise of the functions, powers and duties set forth in
    18     this section.
    19     (c)  Limitations.--The Public Counsel shall have no authority
    20  to exercise those rights reserved to the commission in sections
    21  501 (relating to general powers), 502 (relating to enforcement
    22  proceedings by commission) and 503 (relating to enforcement
    23  proceedings by Attorney General). This section shall not be
    24  construed to limit any other rights or remedies he may have
    25  under this chapter.
    26     (d)  Other limitations.--The Public Counsel shall have no
    27  duty, responsibility or authority with respect to the laws,
    28  rules or regulations pertaining to the physical facilities or
    29  equipment of common, contract and exempt carriers, the
    30  registration of vehicles or of insurance coverage of vehicles of
    19790S0845B0943                  - 9 -

     1  common, contract and exempt carriers; the licensing, training or
     2  qualifications of drivers or other persons employed by common,
     3  contract and exempt carriers or the operation of motor vehicle
     4  equipment by common, contract and exempt carriers in the State.
     5     (e)  Exercise discretion.--The Public Counsel may exercise
     6  discretion in determining the interest which will be advocated
     7  in any particular proceeding and in determining whether or not
     8  to participate in or initiate any particular proceeding and in
     9  so determining, shall consider the interest of all consumers,
    10  the resources available, the substantiality of the effect of the
    11  proceeding on the interest of the using and consuming public and
    12  the extent to which other interests are represented in the
    13  proceeding. The Public Counsel may refrain from intervening when
    14  in the judgment of the Public Counsel such is not necessary to
    15  represent adequately the using and consuming public.
    16     (f)  Petitioning.--In addition to any other authority
    17  conferred upon him by this act, the Public Counsel is authorized
    18  to represent an interest of consumers which is presented to him
    19  for his consideration upon petition in writing by a substantial
    20  number of persons, who make direct use or are ultimate
    21  recipients of a product or service supplied by a person,
    22  corporation or municipal corporation subject to regulation by
    23  the commission. The Public Counsel shall notify the principal
    24  sponsors of any such petition of the action taken or intended to
    25  be taken by him with respect to the interest of consumers
    26  presented in such petition. If the Public Counsel declines or is
    27  unable to represent such interest, he shall notify such sponsors
    28  and shall state his reasons therefor.
    29  § 3505.  Authority and duty of the commission.
    30     (a)  Duty and responsibility.--It shall be the duty and
    19790S0845B0943                 - 10 -

     1  responsibility of the commission, commission staff and all other
     2  bureaus and divisions of the commission to advance and protect
     3  the public interest.
     4     (b)  Procedure.--In any commission initiated proceeding in
     5  which the Public Counsel is not required to participate, the
     6  commission may request that the Public Counsel intervene
     7  pursuant to section 3504 (relating to authority and duty of the
     8  Public Counsel). If the Public Counsel determines, in his
     9  discretion, to refuse to so act he shall provide the commission
    10  a written statement of his reasons which shall be made public.
    11  Whenever the Public Counsel declines a commission request to
    12  participate, the commission may direct the commission staff to
    13  participate in the proceeding in order to advance the interests
    14  of the public.
    15  § 3506.  Complaints and prosecutions.
    16     The Public Counsel shall have final authority in respect of
    17  all actions initiated by him or in which he elects to
    18  participate.
    19  § 3507.  Actions brought by Public Counsel.
    20     (a)  Actions generally.--Any action brought by the Public
    21  Counsel before a court or an agency of this Commonwealth may be
    22  brought in the name of the Public Counsel. The Public Counsel
    23  may name a consumer or group of consumers in whose name the
    24  action may be brought or may join with a consumer or group of
    25  consumers in bringing the action.
    26     (b)  Written statement.--At such time as the Public Counsel
    27  determines, in accordance with applicable time limitations, to
    28  initiate, intervene or otherwise participate in any commission,
    29  agency or court proceeding, he shall issue publicly a written
    30  statement, a copy of which he shall file in the proceeding in
    19790S0845B0943                 - 11 -

     1  addition to any required entry of his appearance, stating
     2  concisely the specific interest to be protected.
     3     (c)  In any proceeding before the commission the Public
     4  Counsel shall possess the same rights and privileges as any
     5  other party to such proceeding, including the right of appeal of
     6  any otherwise appealable decision of the commission. The Public
     7  Counsel shall have no duty, responsibility or authority to
     8  represent the commission on appeal.
     9  § 3508.  Proposed guidelines, rules, regulations and guidelines
    10           of the commission.
    11     In dealing with any proposed action which may substantially
    12  affect the interest of the using and consuming public, including
    13  but not limited to a proposed change of rates and the adoption
    14  of rules, regulations, guidelines, orders, standards or final
    15  policy decisions, the commission shall:
    16         (1)  notify the Public Counsel when notice of the
    17     proposed action is given to the public or at a time fixed by
    18     agreement between the Public Counsel and the commission in a
    19     manner to assure the Public Counsel reasonable notice and
    20     adequate time to determine whether to intervene in such
    21     matter; and
    22         (2)  provide copies of all supporting information,
    23     filings and other material supplied to the commission by the
    24     public utility in support of its request, when requested by
    25     the Public Counsel.
    26  § 3509.  Public interest.
    27     (a)  Rights of consumers.--Nothing contained in this chapter
    28  shall in any way limit the right of any consumer to bring a
    29  proceeding before either the commission or a court.
    30     (b)  Rights of the commission.--Nothing contained in this
    19790S0845B0943                 - 12 -

     1  chapter shall be construed to impair the statutory adjudicatory
     2  authority or responsibility of the commission to regulate public
     3  utilities to the public interest.
     4  § 3510.  Annual report by Public Counsel.
     5     The Public Counsel shall annually transmit to the Governor
     6  and the Attorney General and to the General Assembly and shall
     7  make available to the public an annual report on the conduct of
     8  the Office of Public Counsel. The Public Counsel shall make
     9  recommendations as may from time to time be necessary or
    10  desirable to protect the interest of consumers.
    11  § 3511.  Assessment of regulatory expenses upon public
    12           utilities.
    13     (a)  Computation of total assessment.--Before March 1 of each
    14  year, Public Counsel shall estimate its total expenditures in
    15  the administration of this act for the fiscal year beginning
    16  July of that year, which estimate shall not exceed one and one-
    17  fourth tenths of 1% of the total gross intrastate operating
    18  revenues of the public utilities under its jurisdiction for the
    19  preceding calendar year. The Public Counsel shall subtract from
    20  the estimate the estimated balance of the appropriation
    21  specified in section 511 (relating to disposition, appropriation
    22  and disbursement of assessments and fees).
    23  The remainder so determined, herein called the total assessment,
    24  shall be allocated to, and paid by, such public utilities in the
    25  manner hereafter prescribed. A proposed budget shall be
    26  submitted to the General Assembly. If the General Assembly fails
    27  to approve the Public Counsel's budget for the purpose of this
    28  act, by June 1, the Public Counsel shall assess public utilities
    29  on the basis of the last approved operation budget. At such time
    30  as the General Assembly approves the proposed budget the Public
    19790S0845B0943                 - 13 -

     1  Counsel shall have the authority to make an adjustment in the
     2  assessments to reflect the approved budget.
     3     (b)  Allocation of total assessment among groups of
     4  utilities.--
     5         (1)  The Office of Public Counsel shall determine for the
     6     preceding fiscal year the amount of its expenditures directly
     7     attributable, or in its judgment properly allocable, to its
     8     activities in connection with each group of utilities
     9     furnishing the same kind of service and debit the amount so
    10     determined to such group.
    11         (2)  The Office of Public Counsel shall then allocate the
    12     total assessment prescribed by subsection (a) to each group
    13     in the proportion which the sum of the debits made to it
    14     bears the sum of the debits made to all groups.
    15     (c)  Assessment of each public utility.--Each public utility
    16  within a group shall then be assessed for and shall pay to the
    17  Public Counsel such proportion of the amount allocated to its
    18  group as the gross intrastate operating revenues of the public
    19  utility for the preceding calendar year bear the total gross
    20  intrastate operating revenues of its group for that year. The
    21  Public Counsel shall give notice by registered or certified mail
    22  to each public utility of the amount lawfully charged against it
    23  under the provisions of this section, which amount shall be paid
    24  by the public utility within 30 days of receipt of such notice,
    25  unless the Public Counsel specifies on the notices sent to all
    26  public utilities an installment plan of payment, in which case
    27  each public utility shall pay each installment on or before the
    28  date specified therefor by the Public Counsel. Within 15 days
    29  after receipt of such notice, the public utility against which
    30  such assessment has been made may file with the Public Counsel
    19790S0845B0943                 - 14 -

     1  objections setting out in detail the grounds upon which the
     2  objector regards such assessment to be excessive, erroneous,
     3  unlawful or invalid. The Public Counsel after notice to the
     4  objector, shall hold a hearing upon such objections. After such
     5  hearing, the Public Counsel shall record upon its minutes its
     6  findings on the objections and shall transmit to the objector,
     7  by registered or certified mail, notice of the amount, if any,
     8  charged against it in accordance with such findings, which
     9  amount, or any installment thereof, then due shall be paid by
    10  the objector within ten days after receipt of notice of the
    11  findings of the Public Counsel with respect to such objections.
    12  If any payment prescribed by this subsection is not made as
    13  aforesaid, the Public Counsel may institute an appropriate
    14  action at law for the amount lawfully assessed, together with
    15  any additional cost incurred by the Public Counsel by virtue of
    16  such failure to pay.
    17     (d)  Suits relating to collections and payments prohibited.--
    18  No suit or proceeding shall be maintained in any court for the
    19  purpose of restraining or in anywise delaying the collection or
    20  payment of any assessment made under subsections (a), (b) and
    21  (c), but every public utility against which an assessment is
    22  made shall pay the same as provided in subsection (c). Any
    23  public utility making any such payment may, at any time within
    24  two years from the date of payment, sue the Commonwealth in an
    25  action at law to recover the amount paid, or any part thereof,
    26  upon the ground that the assessment was excessive, erroneous,
    27  unlawful or invalid, in whole or in part, provided objections as
    28  hereinbefore provided, were filed with the Public Counsel and
    29  payment of the assessment was made under protest either as to
    30  all or part thereof. In any action for recovery of any payments
    19790S0845B0943                 - 15 -

     1  made under this section, the claimant shall be entitled to raise
     2  every relevant issue of law, but the findings of fact made by
     3  the Public Counsel, pursuant to this section, shall be prima
     4  facie evidence of the facts therein stated. Any records, books,
     5  data, documents and memoranda relating to the expenses of the
     6  Office of Public Counsel shall be admissible in evidence in any
     7  court and shall be prima facie evidence of the truth of their
     8  contents. If it is finally determined in any such action that
     9  all or any part of the assessment for which payment was made
    10  under protest was excessive, erroneous, unlawful or invalid, the
    11  Office of Public Counsel shall make a refund to the claimant out
    12  of the appropriation specified in this chapter as directed by
    13  the court.
    14     (e)  Exclusive remedy.--The procedure in this section
    15  providing for the determination of the lawfulness of assessments
    16  and the recovery back of payments made pursuant to such
    17  assessments shall be exclusive of all other remedies and
    18  procedures.
    19     (f)  Records of Office of Public Counsel.--It is the intent
    20  and purpose of this section that each public utility shall
    21  advance to the Office of Public Counsel its reasonable share of
    22  the cost of administering this act. The Office of Public Counsel
    23  shall keep records of the costs incurred in connection with the
    24  administration and enforcement of this act or any other act. The
    25  Office of Public Counsel shall also keep a record of the manner
    26  in which it shall have computed the amount assessed against
    27  every public utility. Such records shall be open to inspection
    28  by all interested parties. The determination of such costs and
    29  assessments by the Office of Public Counsel and the records and
    30  data upon which the same are made, shall be considered prima
    19790S0845B0943                 - 16 -

     1  facie correct. In any proceeding instituted to challenge the
     2  reasonableness or correctness of any assessment under this
     3  section, the party challenging the same shall have the burden of
     4  proof.
     5     (g)  Assessments paid into General Fund.--All assessments
     6  received, collected or recovered under this act shall be paid
     7  into the General Fund of the State Treasury through the
     8  Department of Revenue.
     9     (h)  Appropriation of assessments.--All such assessments,
    10  having been advanced by public utilities for the purpose of
    11  defraying the cost of the administration and performance of the
    12  duties of the Office of Public Counsel relating to proceedings
    13  before the commission, related judicial proceedings and other
    14  such matters within the jurisdiction of the Office of Public
    15  Counsel shall be held in trust solely for that purpose and shall
    16  be earmarked for the use of and are hereby appropriated to the
    17  Office of Public Counsel for disbursement solely for that
    18  purpose.
    19     (i)  Requisitions.--All requisitions upon such appropriation
    20  shall be signed by the Public Counsel or such deputies as he may
    21  designate in writing to the State Treasurer and shall be
    22  presented to the State Treasurer and dealt with by him and the
    23  Treasury Department in the manner prescribed by the act of April
    24  9, 1929 (P.L.343, No.176), known as "The Fiscal Code."
    25  Section 4.  Legislative intent.
    26     It is the intent of the General Assembly that the provisions
    27  of this act be implemented during the 1980-1981 fiscal year by
    28  the transfer of previously appropriated sums to the Public
    29  Utility Commission and the Office of Consumer Advocate.
    30  Section 5.  Severability provision.
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     1     If any provision of this act is declared unconstitutional or
     2  the applicability thereof to any person or circumstance is held
     3  invalid, the constitutionality and effectiveness of the
     4  remainder of this act and the applicability thereof to any
     5  persons and circumstances shall not be affected thereby.
     6  Section 6.  Transfers relating to the Office of Consumer
     7              Advocate.
     8     All allocations, appropriations, equipment, files, records
     9  and other material which are used, employed or expended in
    10  connection with participating as an adversary in rate
    11  proceedings by the Public Utility Commission and, in connection
    12  with the powers, duties or functions of the Office of Consumer
    13  Advocate are thereby transferred to the Office of Public Counsel
    14  with the same force and effect as if the appropriations had been
    15  made to and the items had been the property of the Office of
    16  Public Counsel in the first instance. Any personnel employed
    17  with the Public Utility Commission or the Office of Consumer
    18  Advocate in connection with the powers, duties or functions of
    19  this act may be transferred to the Office of Public Counsel.
    20  Section 7.  Repeals.
    21     (1)  Section 305 (relating to secretary, employees and
    22  consultants) of Title 66 is repealed to the extent inconsistent
    23  with this act.
    24     (2)  Article IX-A, act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.177, No.175),
    25  known as "The Administrative Code of 1929," is repealed.
    26  Section 8.  Effective date.
    27     This act shall take effect January 1, 1980.


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