DELAWARE STATE SENATE

149th GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SENATE BILL NO. 187

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 29 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE DIVISION OF THE PUBLIC ADVOCATE.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE:

Section 1. Amend § 8716, Title 29 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and

insertions as shown by underline as follows:

§ 8716. Division of the Public Advocate.

(e) The Public Advocate shall have the following powers and duties:

(3) To appear on behalf of the interest of consumers in the courts of this State, the federal courts and federal

administrative before State and federal courts and State and federal regulatory agencies and commissions in matters

involving rates, service services, and practices of public utilities and in any matter involving energy policy .

(4) To hire experts in utility regulation , from time to time, as needed, as needed in connection with

proceedings before the Commission, experts in the utility regulation field, including, but not limited to, Commission

and under paragraph (e)(3) of this section, including economists, cost of capital experts, rate design experts,

accountants, engineers, attorneys, and other specialists. A budget for compensation and/or and expenses of

these experts shall must be provided annually through the Delaware Public Utility Regulatory Revolving Fund. Nothing in this section shall may be construed to preclude the Public Advocate from applying to the General Assembly for additional funds in specific instances, including emergencies, and from receiving such additional amounts as the General Assembly shall determine determines .

SYNOPSIS

This Act clarifies that the Public Advocate may appear before any federal or state court or federal or state administrative body in matters involving public utility rates, service, practices, and energy policy.

This Act also makes technical corrections to conform existing law to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual.

Author: Senator McDowell