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HB617 • 2025

Public utilities; reestablish a consumer utility counsel to represent consumers in matters before the Public Service Commission or other agencies

Public utilities; reestablish a consumer utility counsel to represent consumers in matters before the Public Service Commission or other agencies

Labor
Active

The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor
Romman, Ruwa
Last action
2025-02-27
Official status
House Second Readers
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Checked against official source text during the last sync.

Reestablishing the Consumer Utility Counsel in Georgia

This bill reestablishes an office to represent utility customers before government agencies and gives its director authority to gather evidence, hire staff, and receive assistance from Public Service Commission employees.

What This Bill Does

  • Reestablishes a consumer utility counsel to represent consumers in matters involving public utilities before the Public Service Commission or other agencies.
  • Authorizes the director of this office to take depositions and conduct discovery.
  • Allows the director to employ certain personnel needed for the job.
  • Requires that specific employees of the Public Service Commission be made available to assist the director.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Consumers who use public utilities and need representation before agencies like the Public Service Commission.
  • The director and staff of the reestablished consumer utility counsel office.
  • Employees of the Public Service Commission who must provide assistance to the new office.

Terms To Know

Consumer Utility Counsel
An official or office created to represent consumers in matters involving public utilities before government agencies.
Depositions and Discovery
Legal steps used by the director to gather facts, such as asking questions under oath or requesting documents from other parties.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The official text does not state when this law will officially take effect.
  • The bill mentions repealing conflicting laws but does not list which specific old rules are removed.

Bill History

  1. 2025-02-27 Georgia General Assembly

    House Second Readers

Official Summary Text

Public utilities; reestablish a consumer utility counsel to represent consumers in matters before the Public Service Commission or other agencies