reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
30 V.S.A. § 1
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 30 - Public Service|Chapter 1 - Appointment, General Powers, and Duties|§ 1. Composition of Department

§ 1. Composition of Department|(a) The Department of Public Service shall consist of the Commissioner of Public Service, a Director for Regulated Utility Planning, a Director for Public Advocacy, a Director for Energy Efficiency, a Director for Telecommunications and Connectivity, and such other persons as the Commissioner considers necessary to conduct the business of the Department.(b) The Commissioner shall be appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate. The Commissioner shall serve for a term of two years beginning on February 1 of the year in which the appointment is made. The Commissioner shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor. The Directors for Regulated Utility Planning, for Public Advocacy, and for Energy Efficiency shall be appointed by the Commissioner. The Director for Telecommunications and Connectivity shall be appointed by the Commissioner in consultation with the Secretary of Administration.(c) The Directors for Public Advocacy and for Telecommunications and Connectivity may employ, with the approval of the Commissioner, legal counsel and other experts, and clerical assistance, and the Directors for Regulated Utility Planning and for Energy Efficiency may employ, with the approval of the Commissioner, experts and clerical assistance. (Amended 1959, No. 329 (Adj. Sess.), §§ 38, 39(b), eff. March 1, 1961; 1979, No. 204 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. Feb. 1, 1981; 1989, No. 238 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. June 4, 1990; 2015, No. 41, § 2.)
30 V.S.A. § 4
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 30 - Public Service|Chapter 1 - Appointment, General Powers, and Duties|§ 4. Qualifications of members, commissioners, and clerk

§ 4. Qualifications of members, commissioners, and clerk|A person in the employ of or holding any official relation to any company subject to the supervision of the Commission, or engaged in the management of such company, or owning stock, bonds, or other securities thereof, or who is, in any manner, connected with the operation of such company in this State, shall not be a member or clerk of the Commission or Commissioner of Public Service; nor shall any person holding the office of member, clerk of the Commission, or Commissioner of Public Service personally or in connection with a partner or agent, render professional service for or against or make or perform any business contract with any company subject to such supervision, relating to the business of such company, except contracts made with them as common carriers or in regular course of public service; nor shall such person, directly or indirectly, receive from any such company any commission, present, or reward. (Amended 1959, No. 329 (Adj. Sess.), § 39(b), eff. March 1, 1961; 1979, No. 204 (Adj. Sess.), § 4, eff. Feb. 1, 1981.)
30 V.S.A. § 5
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 30 - Public Service|Chapter 1 - Appointment, General Powers, and Duties|§ 5. Clerk; oath

§ 5. Clerk; oath|The Commission shall appoint a clerk, who shall serve during its pleasure. The Commission members and clerk shall be sworn to the faithful discharge of the duties of their offices and, before entering upon the same, shall file a certificate of their oaths for record in the Office of the Secretary of State. (Amended 1959, No. 329 (Adj. Sess.), § 39(b), (c), eff. March 1, 1961.)
30 V.S.A. § 6
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 30 - Public Service|Chapter 1 - Appointment, General Powers, and Duties|§ 6. Powers and duties of clerk

§ 6. Powers and duties of clerk|The clerk shall have the custody of the seal of the Commission, keep a full record of its proceedings, file and preserve at its office all documents and papers entrusted to his or her care, prepare such papers and notices as may be required by the Commission, and perform such other duties as it may prescribe. The clerk shall have power, under the direction of the Commission, to issue subpoenas for witnesses and to administer oaths in all cases before the Commission or pertaining to the duties of the office. (Amended 1959, No. 329 (Adj. Sess.), § 39(b), eff. March 1, 1961; 1993, No. 21, § 2, eff. May 12, 1993.)
30 V.S.A. § 7
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 30 - Public Service|Chapter 1 - Appointment, General Powers, and Duties|§ 7. Quorum; meetings

§ 7. Quorum; meetings|Two Commission members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of any business. Meetings of the Commission may be held at any time or place within the State upon call of the Chair or the other two members, after a reasonable notice to the other members, and shall be held at such times and places as in the judgment of the Commission will best serve the convenience of all parties in interest. (Amended 1959, No. 329 (Adj. Sess.), § 39(a), (b), eff. March 1, 1961; 1993, No. 21, § 3, eff. May 12, 1993.)
30 V.S.A. § 8
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 30 - Public Service|Chapter 1 - Appointment, General Powers, and Duties|§ 8. Powers of single Commission member or other officer or employee

§ 8. Powers of single Commission member or other officer or employee|(a) One Commission member or any officer or employee of the Commission duly appointed by the Chair of the Commission may inquire into and examine any matter within the jurisdiction of the Commission.(b) A hearing officer may administer oaths in all cases, so far as the exercise of that power is properly incidental to the performance of his or her duty or that of the Commission. A hearing officer may hold any hearing in any matter within the jurisdiction of the Commission to hear.(c) A hearing officer shall report his or her findings of fact in writing to the Commission in the form of a proposal for decision. A copy shall be served upon the parties pursuant to 3 V.S.A. § 811. However, judgment on such findings shall be rendered only by a majority of the Commission.(d) At least 12 days prior to a hearing before the Commission or a hearing officer, the Commission shall give written notice of the time and place of the hearing to all parties to the case and shall indicate the name and title of the person designated to conduct the hearing.(e) Upon written request to the Commission at least five days prior to the hearing by all parties to the case, the Chair shall appoint at least a majority of the Commission to conduct the hearing.(f) Notwithstanding subsection (c) of this section, the Chair may appoint a hearing officer to hear and finally determine any consumer complaint where the amount in controversy does not exceed $2,000.00. Upon petition of a party, filed within 30 days of issuance of the hearing officer's decision and order, or on its own motion, the Commission may determine that the hearing officer's decision and order should be treated as a proposal for decision and order as provided in subsection (c) of this section. The Commission may grant such request for good cause, including apparent error of fact, or procedural or substantive law, and may conduct additional evidentiary hearings or hear oral argument from the parties. If such request is not timely made, or is not granted by the Commission, the decision and order of the hearing officer shall become the final decision and order of the Commission. (Amended 1959, No. 329 (Adj. Sess.), § 39(b), (c), eff. March 1, 1961; 1971, No. 180 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. March 28, 1972; 1973, No. 96; 1993, No. 21, § 4, eff. May 12, 1993.)
30 V.S.A. § 9
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 30 - Public Service|Chapter 1 - Appointment, General Powers, and Duties|§ 9. Court of record; seal

§ 9. Court of record; seal|The Commission shall have the powers of a court of record in the determination and adjudication of all matters over which it is given jurisdiction. It may render judgments, make orders and decrees, and enforce the same by any suitable process issuable by courts in this State. The Commission shall have an official seal on which shall be the words, "State of Vermont. Public Utility Commission. Official Seal."  (Amended 1959, No. 329 (Adj. Sess.), § 39(b), eff. March 1, 1961.)
30 V.S.A. § 10
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 30 - Public Service|Chapter 1 - Appointment, General Powers, and Duties|§ 10. Service of process; notice of hearings; temporary restraining orders

§ 10. Service of process; notice of hearings; temporary restraining orders|(a) All processes issued by the Commission shall state the time and place of return, in those cases where return is to be made to the Commission. Orders, notices, and other processes issued by the Commission shall be served personally or by first class mail, except that the Commission may direct that service be made by registered or certified mail. If the whereabouts of a person are unknown, or if the number of respondents is so great that personal service or service by mail is impracticable, service may be made by publication.(b) Except as provided in subsections (c), (d), and (e) of this section, the Commission shall give 12 days' notice of all hearings.(c) A scheduling or procedural conference may be held upon any reasonable notice.(d) An evidentiary hearing, once commenced upon proper notice, may be continued to a subsequent date upon any reasonable notice.(e) Notwithstanding any other provision in this section, the Commission or a single member may grant temporary restraining orders in the manner provided by and subject to limitations prescribed by the Vermont Rules of Civil Procedure.(f) The provisions of sections 110-124 of this title relating to process and notice in condemnation cases shall not be affected by this section. (Amended 1959, No. 186, § 1, eff. May 20, 1959; 1959, No. 329 (Adj. Sess.), § 39(b), eff. March 1, 1961; 1975, No. 59, § 1, eff. April 18, 1975; 1975, No. 212 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; 1985, No. 103 (Adj. Sess.); 1993, No. 21, § 5, eff. May 12, 1993; 2019, No. 31, § 22.)
30 V.S.A. § 11
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 30 - Public Service|Chapter 1 - Appointment, General Powers, and Duties|§ 11. Pleadings; rules of practice; hearings; findings of fact

§ 11. Pleadings; rules of practice; hearings; findings of fact|(a) The forms, pleadings, and rules of practice and procedure before the Commission shall be prescribed by it. The Commission shall adopt rules that include, among other things, provisions that:  (1) A utility whose rates are suspended under the provisions of section 226 of this title shall, within 30 days from the date of the suspension order, file with the Commission all exhibits it intends to use in the hearing thereon together with the names of witnesses it intends to produce in its direct case and a short statement of the purposes of the testimony of each witness. Except in the discretion of the Commission, a utility shall not be permitted to introduce into evidence in its direct case exhibits which are not filed in accordance with this rule. (2) A scheduling conference shall be ordered in every contested rate case. At such conference the Commission may require the State or any person opposing such rate increase to specify what items shown by the filed exhibits are conceded. Further proof of conceded items shall not be required.   (b) The Commission shall allow all members of the public to attend each of its hearings unless the hearing is for the sole purpose of considering information to be treated as confidential pursuant to a protective order duly adopted by the Commission.  (1) The Commission shall make all reasonable efforts to ensure that the location of each hearing is sufficient to accommodate all members of the public seeking to attend. (2) The Commission shall ensure that the public may safely attend the hearing, including obtaining such resources as may be necessary to fulfill this obligation.   (c) The Commission shall hear all matters within its jurisdiction and make its findings of fact. It shall state its rulings of law when they are excepted to. Upon appeal to the Supreme Court, its findings of fact shall be accepted unless clearly erroneous. (Amended 1959, No. 329 (Adj. Sess.), § 39(b), eff. March 1, 1961; 1971, No. 185 (Adj. Sess.), § 211, eff. March 29, 1972; 2013, No. 91 (Adj. Sess.), § 3; 2015, No. 23, § 134; 2017, No. 53, § 13a; 2019, No. 31, § 21.)
30 V.S.A. § 12
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 30 - Public Service|Chapter 1 - Appointment, General Powers, and Duties|§ 12. Review by Supreme Court

§ 12. Review by Supreme Court|A party to a cause who feels aggrieved by the final order, judgment, or decree of the Commission may appeal to the Supreme Court. However, the Commission, in its discretion and before final judgment, may permit an appeal to be taken by any party to the Supreme Court for determination of questions of law in such manner as the Supreme Court may by rule provide for appeals before final judgment from a Superior Court. Notwithstanding the provisions of the Vermont Rules of Civil Procedure or the Vermont Rules of Appellate Procedure, neither the time for filing a notice of appeal nor the filing of a notice of appeal, as provided herein, shall operate as a stay of enforcement of an order of the Commission unless the Commission or the Supreme Court grants a stay under the provisions of section 14 of this title. (Amended 1959, No. 329 (Adj. Sess.), § 39(b), eff. March 1, 1961; 1967, No. 205, § 1; 1971, No. 242 (Adj. Sess.); 1973, No. 193 (Adj. Sess.), § 3, eff. April 9, 1974; 2009, No. 154 (Adj. Sess.), § 188.)
30 V.S.A. § 14
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 30 - Public Service|Chapter 1 - Appointment, General Powers, and Duties|§ 14. Powers of Supreme Court

§ 14. Powers of Supreme Court|The Supreme Court may reverse or affirm the judgments, orders, or decrees of the Commission and may remand a cause to it with such mandates, as law or equity shall require; and the Commission shall enter judgment, order, or decree in accordance with such mandates. The transfer of the cause to the Supreme Court shall not vacate any judgment, order, or decree of the Commission, but the Supreme Court or, when not in session, a Justice thereof upon notice to interested parties, may suspend execution of the same as justice and equity require, unless otherwise specifically provided by law; provided, however, that the execution of rate orders shall not be suspended at the request of a utility unless the utility files with the Commission a bond running to the members of the Commission and their successors in office in an amount and with sureties approved by the Court or a Justice thereof conditioned that within 30 days after the termination of the proceedings the company shall repay to the persons from whom collected and after the effective date of the Commission's final order all sums in excess of the rates finally determined to be just and reasonable. (Amended 1959, No. 329 (Adj. Sess.), § 39(b), eff. March 1, 1961; 1961, No. 263, § 4(c), eff. July 31, 1961.)
30 V.S.A. § 15
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 30 - Public Service|Chapter 1 - Appointment, General Powers, and Duties|§ 15. Decree of Commission; enforcement

§ 15. Decree of Commission; enforcement|A party to an order or decree of the Public Utility Commission or the Commission itself, or both, may complain to the Supreme Court for relief against any disobedience of or noncompliance with such order or decree. In such proceedings and upon such notice thereof to the parties as it shall direct, the Supreme Court shall hear and consider such petition and make such order and decree in the premises by way of writ of mandamus, writ of prohibition, injunction, or otherwise, concerning the enforcement of such order and decree of the Public Utility Commission as to law and equity shall appertain. (Amended 1959, No. 329 (Adj. Sess.), § 39(b), eff. March 1, 1961.)
30 V.S.A. § 17
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 30 - Public Service|Chapter 1 - Appointment, General Powers, and Duties|§ 17. Fees of witnesses; duties of clerk

§ 17. Fees of witnesses; duties of clerk|The fees of witnesses before the Commission shall be the same as in the Superior Court. In all causes in behalf of or for the convenience or safety of the public, and in the investigation of accidents, the fees of witnesses and the expense of summoning them shall be paid by the clerk of the Commission. From time to time, the clerk shall make requisition on the Commissioner of Finance and Management for money to pay such fees and expenses, and the Commissioner of Finance and Management shall issue warrants therefor. The clerk shall quarterly, on February, May, August, and November 1, render to the Commissioner of Finance and Management an account of his or her receipts and disbursements under this section, and pay any unexpended balance into the State Treasury. (Amended 1959, No. 329 (Adj. Sess.), § 39(b), eff. March 1, 1961; 1973, No. 193 (Adj. Sess.), § 3, eff. April 9, 1974; 1983, No. 195 (Adj. Sess.), § 5(b).)
30 V.S.A. § 18
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 30 - Public Service|Chapter 1 - Appointment, General Powers, and Duties|§ 18. Production and examination of books; witnesses

§ 18. Production and examination of books; witnesses|So far as is necessary for the performance of its duties, the Public Utility Commission or the Commissioner of Public Service, the Directors for Public Advocacy and Regulated Utility Planning, and any other employee of the Department authorized by the Commissioner shall have power to examine the books, accounts, and papers of any company, receiver, trustee, or lessee owning or operating any line, plant, or property, subject to the Commission's or the Department's jurisdiction that in any way relate to or contain entries, data, or memoranda concerning any transaction substantially affecting the interests of the State of Vermont or consumers of utility services within the State, to subpoena witnesses, to administer oaths to them, and to examine them on all matters of which the Commission or Department has jurisdiction. (Amended 1959, No. 329 (Adj. Sess.), § 39(b), eff. March 1, 1961; 1961, No. 183, § 1; 1971, No. 180 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. March 28, 1972; 1979, No. 204 (Adj. Sess.), § 5, eff. Feb. 1, 1981; 1983, No. 230 (Adj. Sess.), § 13.)
30 V.S.A. § 19
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 30 - Public Service|Chapter 1 - Appointment, General Powers, and Duties|§ 19. Experts

§ 19. Experts|With the approval of the Governor, the Commission may appoint and employ, at the expense of the State, engineers, accountants, legal counsel, and such number of clerks, stenographers, experts, and temporary employees as it deems necessary in the performance of its duties and in the investigation of matters within its jurisdiction. (Amended 1959, No. 329 (Adj. Sess.), § 39(b), eff. March 1, 1961; 1971, No. 191 (Adj. Sess.), § 13.)
30 V.S.A. § 22a
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 30 - Public Service|Chapter 1 - Appointment, General Powers, and Duties|§ 22a. Use of gross operating revenues tax

§ 22a. Use of gross operating revenues tax|Expenses incurred by the Department for the support of activities relating to wholesale and retail sales of electricity shall be paid from revenues received by the Department from such sales. (Added 1987, No. 272 (Adj. Sess.), § 2.)
30 V.S.A. § 23
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 30 - Public Service|Chapter 1 - Appointment, General Powers, and Duties|§ 23. Public Service Reserve Fund

§ 23. Public Service Reserve Fund|There is hereby created a fund to be known as the Public Service Reserve Fund for the purpose of providing the financial means for the Public Utility Commission and the Department of Public Service to employ legal counsel, official stenographers, and disinterested competent persons to examine into and testify in any matter involved in a hearing under sections 218, 225, 226, and 227 of this title other than the hearings referred to in sections 20 and 21 of this title. Payments into the Public Service Reserve Fund shall be made as follows: All electric distribution companies, cooperative, municipal, and privately owned, which have been allocated a share of St. Lawrence power by the Department, shall pay into the State Treasury for such reserve on or before September 15, 1961 and September 15, 1962, in addition to the taxes now required by law to be paid, a tax to produce a total of $37,500.00 in the aggregate for each such payment to be paid by each such company in proportion to its purchase of St. Lawrence power, during the calendar years 1959 and 1960. Thereafter, on June 30 of each year, there shall be deducted from the balance in the special fund for the maintenance of the Department's engineering and accounting force and personnel employed by the Commission the tax revenues payable under section 22 of this title in that year, and the balance thus determined shall be transferred from the special fund for the maintenance of the engineering and accounting force to the Public Service Reserve Fund; provided, however, that, if at June 30 of any year the balance in such public service reserve fund shall be in excess of $100,000.00, the amount of such excess shall forthwith be transferred to the General Fund. (Added 1961, No. 258, § 2, eff. July 31, 1961; amended 1979, No. 204 (Adj. Sess.), § 9, eff. Feb. 1, 1981.)
30 V.S.A. § 24
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 30 - Public Service|Chapter 1 - Appointment, General Powers, and Duties|§ 24. Payments from special funds; biennial report

§ 24. Payments from special funds; biennial report|All payments from the special fund for the maintenance of the engineering and accounting forces and from the Public Service Reserve Fund shall be dispensed from the State Treasury only upon warrants issued by the Commissioner of Finance and Management after receipt of proper statements describing services rendered and expenses incurred. A complete, detailed, and full accounting of all receipts from the taxes assessed in sections 22 and 23 of this title and all disbursements from the special fund for the maintenance of the engineering and accounting forces and from the Public Service Reserve Fund shall be contained in the Department's biennial report to the General Assembly. The provisions of 2 V.S.A. § 20(d) (expiration of required reports) shall not apply to the report to be made under this section. (Added 1961, No. 258, § 2, eff. July 31, 1961; amended 1979, No. 204 (Adj. Sess.), § 10, eff. Feb. 1, 1981; 1983, No. 195 (Adj. Sess.), § 5; 2011, No. 139 (Adj. Sess.), § 28, eff. May 14, 2012.)
30 V.S.A. § 25
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 30 - Public Service|Chapter 1 - Appointment, General Powers, and Duties|§ 25. Assessment

§ 25. Assessment|When the Department of Public Service discovers from the examination of the return or otherwise that the revenue of any company, or any portion thereof, has not been assessed, it may at any time within two years after the time when the return was due, assess the same and give notice to the company of such assessment, and within 30 days such company shall thereupon have an opportunity to confer with the Department as to the proposed assessment. The limitation of two years to the assessment of such tax or additional tax shall not apply to the assessment of additional taxes upon fraudulent returns. After the expiration of 30 days from such notification, the Department shall reassess the revenue of such company or any portion thereof which it finds has not theretofore been assessed and shall give notice to the company so reassessed, of the amount of the tax and interest and penalties, if any, and the amount thereof shall be due and payable within 10 days from the date of such notice. No additional tax amounting to less than $1.00 shall be assessed. (Amended 1959, No. 329 (Adj. Sess.), § 39(b), eff. March 1, 1961; 1979, No. 204 (Adj. Sess.), § 11, eff. Feb. 1, 1981.)