Section 363:28 Office of the Consumer Advocate. - New Hampshire Statutes

   I. The office of the consumer advocate shall be an independent agency administratively attached to the public utilities commission pursuant to RSA 21-G:10. The office shall consist of the following:
      (a) A consumer advocate, appointed by the governor and council, who shall be a qualified attorney admitted to practice in this state. The consumer advocate shall serve a 4-year term and until a successor is appointed and qualified.
      (b) An assistant consumer advocate appointed by the consumer advocate, who shall be a full-time classified employee.
      (c) A secretary appointed by the consumer advocate.
      (d) Two additional staff people appointed by the consumer advocate. When filling these positions, the consumer advocate should consider appointing rate analysts or economists.
   II. The consumer advocate shall have the power and duty to petition for, initiate, appear or intervene in any proceeding concerning rates, charges, tariffs, and consumer services before any board, commission, agency, court, or regulatory body in which the interests of residential utility consumers are involved and to represent the interests of such residential utility consumers.
   III. The consumer advocate shall have authority to contract for outside consultants within the limits of funds available to the office.
   IV. The consumer advocate shall have authority to promote and further consumer knowledge and education.
   V. The consumer advocate shall publicize the Link-Up New Hampshire and Lifeline Telephone Assistance programs in order to increase public awareness and utilization of these programs.

Source. 1981, 220:7; 354:1. 1985, 300:4. 1986, 146:1. 1987, 136:3. 1999, 167:2. 2001, 4:1. 2007, 263:174, eff. July 1, 2007.