Chapter 558 Oregon Laws 2001

AN ACT

HB 2988

Relating to the Public Utility Commission; creating new provisions; and amending ORS 756.518.

Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:

SECTION 1. Section 2 of this 2001 Act is added to and made a part of ORS chapter 756.

SECTION 2. The Public Utility Commission and commission staff may provide such assistance to the Legislative Assembly and its committees as required by the Legislative Assembly for the performance of its duties, and may furnish to the Legislative Assembly and its committees such information, resources and advice as the members of the Legislative Assembly consider necessary for the performance of legislative duties.

SECTION 3. ORS 756.518 is amended to read:

756.518. (1) Except as otherwise provided the provisions of ORS 756.500 to 756.610 apply to and govern all hearings upon any matter or issue coming before the Public Utility Commission under any statute administered by the commission, whether instituted on the application, petition or complaint of others or initiated by the commission, together with the orders of the commission therein and the review thereof in the courts.

(2) Upon request of any party in a major proceeding before the commission, the commission shall afford the parties an opportunity for oral argument before a final order is issued. There must be a quorum of the commission present at the time the oral argument is made. The commission shall adopt rules that establish criteria for determining which proceedings give rise to a right to oral argument under this subsection. In addition, the commission may adopt rules governing participation in oral arguments, cross-examination of witnesses, draft or proposed orders or such other matters as the commission deems appropriate.

Approved by the Governor June 22, 2001

Filed in the office of Secretary of State June 25, 2001

Effective date January 1, 2002

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