HB 2131
Initials EB/BSR Page 1 House Engrossed
ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Fifty-sixth Legislature
Second Regular Session
House: NREW DPA 6-4-0-0
HB 2131: residential utility consumer office; businesses
Sponsor: Representative Griffin, LD 19
House Engrossed
Overview
Authorizes the Arizona Utility Consumer Office to represent the interests of small
commercial utility consumers.
History
Residential Utility Consumer Office (RUCO) represents the interests of residential utility
consumers (consumers) in regulatory proceedings involving public service corporations before
the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC). RUCO conducts a preliminary review of each
utility rate increase application submitted to the ACC to determine the impact on consumers.
The RUCO Director is appointed by the Governor and must have knowledge of the regulation
of utilities and possess management and administrative experience (A.R.S. § 40-462).
The RUCO Director is allowed to:
1) research, study and analyze consumer interests;
2) prepare and present briefs, arguments, proposed rates or orders and intervene or
appear on behalf of consumers and to testify at ACC hearings;
3) make and execute contracts and other instruments;
4) hire employees; and
5) employ attorneys to represent the interests of consumers (A.R.S. § 40-464).
Provisions
1. Allows the Arizona Utility Consumer Office to represent the interest of small commercial
utility consumers. (Sec. 1)
2. Modifies the Director of the Arizona Utility Consumer Office powers and duties to include
small commercial utility consumers. (Sec. 2)
3. States all contacts by small commercial utility consumers regarding quality or quantity
of service provided by a public service corporation must be recorded by the Arizona Utility
Consumer Office to determine general concerns of consumers. (Sec. 2)
4. Makes technical changes. (Sec. 1 and 2)
☐ Prop 105 (45 votes) ☐ Prop 108 (40 votes) ☐ Emergency (40 votes) ☐ Fiscal Note