GA SB457

Reestablishes the Office of the Consumers' Utility Counsel within the Georgia Public Service Commission (for administrative purposes only) to represent residential consumers and small commercial users (10 or fewer employees, net income ≤ $100,000/year) in utility rate cases and regulatory proceedings.

The office is led by a director appointed and removed by the Governor, who must be a practicing attorney with public utility experience and may not engage in private practice; compensation is set by the Governor, capped at the annual salary of a district attorney.

The director is authorized to appear as a party on behalf of consumers in all proceedings before the Public Service Commission, federal regulatory agencies, and courts involving utility rates and services, and may initiate complaints or intervene in judicial proceedings.

All applications, complaints, pleadings, and notices filed with or issued by the commission concerning public utilities must be served on the director, and the commission may not proceed on any matter where the director may appear unless at least 10 days' written notice has been provided or waived.

The director may employ staff, consultants, expert witnesses, accountants, engineers, and attorneys, but only using funds specifically appropriated for that purpose; a written report on annual activities and expenditures must be submitted to the Governor and legislative leaders by December 31 each year.