An Act To Strengthen the Independence of the Public Advocate
Maine Legislature, Session 128, LD 0802
Committee: Energy, Utilities and Technology
Sponsors: SHERMAN
Amends: 5 MRSA §12004-I, 35-A MRSA §1701, 35-A MRSA §1701-A, 35-A MRSA §1702

Legislative Document
No. 802
H.P. 582
House of Representatives, March 2, 2017
An Act To Strengthen the Independence of the Public Advocate
Reference to the Committee on Energy, Utilities and Technology suggested and ordered 
printed.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative SHERMAN of Hodgdon.  (BY REQUEST)
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows: 
Sec. 1.  5 MRSA §12004-I, sub-§93 is enacted to read: 
93.   
Sec. 2.  35-A MRSA §1701, sub-§1-A, as enacted by PL 2009, c. 399, §2, is 
amended to read: 
1-A.  Appointment of the Public Advocate; term; removal.  This subsection 
governs the appointment, term of service and removal of the Public Advocate. 
A.  The Governor board shall appoint the Public Advocate, subject to review by the 
joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over public utilities 
matters and to confirmation by the Legislature. 
B.  The Public Advocate shall serve for a 4-year 1-year term of office, beginning on 
February 1, 2013 and every 4 years thereafter 2017.  The Public Advocate shall serve 
for a 6-year term of office beginning February 1, 2018 and on February 1st every 6 
years thereafter. 
C.  The Public Advocate may continue to serve beyond the end of the 4-year a term 
until a successor is appointed and qualified. 
D.  Any vacancy occurring must be filled by appointment for the unexpired portion of 
the term. 
E.  Any willful violation of this chapter by the Public Advocate constitutes sufficient 
cause for removal of the Public Advocate by the Governor, on the address of both 
branches of the Legislature or by impeachment pursuant to the Constitution of Maine, 
Article IX, Section 5.  The Public Advocate serves at the pleasure of the board. 
Sec. 3.  35-A MRSA §1701-A is enacted to read: 
§1701-A.  Public Advocate Advisory Board 
1.  Established.  The Public Advocate Advisory Board, referred to in this chapter as 
"the board," is established in Title 5, section 12004-I, subsection 93. 
2.  Members.  The board consists of 3 members as follows: 
A.  One member appointed by the Governor; 
B.  One member appointed by the President of the Senate; and 
C.  One member appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives. 
3.  Terms.  Members of the board serve 3-year terms and may be reappointed. 
Public Advocate 
Public Advocate 
Advisory Board 
Not Authorized 
35-A MRSA 
§1701-A 
4.  Duties.  The board shall appoint the Public Advocate, subject to confirmation by 
the Legislature as provided in section 1701, subsection 1-A, paragraph A, and provide 
policy guidance to the Public Advocate. 
5.  Compensation.  Members of the board serve without compensation. 
Sec. 4.  35-A MRSA §1702, sub-§6, as enacted by PL 1987, c. 141, Pt. A, §6, is 
amended to read: 
6.  Annual report.  The Public Advocate shall prepare and submit an annual report 
of activities of the Public Advocate to the Governor, the board and to the joint standing 
committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over public utilities matters by August 
1st of each year, with copies available to all legislators on request.  In addition to 
submitting the annual report, the Public Advocate shall report to the board on a regular 
basis. 
Sec. 5.  Initial appointments.  The appointing authorities for the Public Advocate 
Advisory Board in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 35-A, section 1701-A, subsection 2 
shall make initial appointments to the board no later than 30 days after the effective date 
of this Act. 
Sec. 6.  Transition.  The Public Advocate who is serving on the effective date of 
this Act continues to serve until the Public Advocate Advisory Board, established in the 
Maine Revised Statutes, Title 35-A, section 1701-A, appoints a Public Advocate to serve 
a 6-year term beginning February 1, 2018. 
SUMMARY 
This bill establishes the Public Advocate Advisory Board.  The board consists of 3 
members, one appointed by the Governor, one appointed by the President of the Senate 
and one appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.  The board appoints 
the Public Advocate to a 6-year term, subject to confirmation by the Legislature, and 
provides policy guidance to the Public Advocate.  The Public Advocate's first 6-year term 
begins February 1, 2018.