§824h References to State Boards by Commission

Summary

The Commission can send any matter under this part to a board made up of one or more people from the States that are affected. That board has the same powers and duties as a Commission member would have when holding hearings. The Commission sets how the board works and how its decisions count. The Commission picks board members from people nominated by each affected State’s commission or by the Governor if the State has no commission. Each State gets the same number of members unless it gives up that right. The Commission may reject a nominee and ask for a new one. Board members get expense payments the Commission provides. The Commission may cancel the referral if it has good reason. The Commission can work with State utility regulators on how rates, costs, accounts, charges, rules, and practices relate between State and federal regulation. It can hold joint hearings and use help, records, and facilities from State commissions. The Commission must give States helpful reports and information. When it will not harm its work, the Commission can let a State use its expert witnesses (for example, rate or valuation experts) if the State pays their pay and travel. Money paid back this way must be returned to the same fund that paid the costs.