Opinion ID: 1907714
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: The Role of the Attorney General's Department

Text: In Narragansett Elec. Co. v. Harsch, R.I., 368 A.2d 1194 (1977), this court examined the respective responsibilities of the Public Utilities Commission and the Division of Public Utilities and Carriers under G.L. 1956 (1969 Reenactment) title 39, as amended by P.L. 1969, ch. 240, § 1. We held that while the commission exercises a judicial function, the division, in addition to its regulatory powers, appears on behalf of the public to present evidence and to make arguments before the commission. Id. 368 A.2d at 1199-1200. Moreover, pursuant to the authority of § 39-1-19, the division may require the Attorney General to represent it at these hearings. In Narragansett, we did not reach the question of whether or not the Attorney General, under § 39-1-20, could provide staff counsel to the commission as well as represent the division. We do now; he may not. As we have said before, the commission is required to determine and to adjudicate matters before it as an impartial and independent quasi-judicial tribunal. Narragansett Elec. Co. v. Harsch, supra, 368 A.2d at 1201. If the commission, the arbiter, and the division, the adversary, are counselled by the same department, the possibility of prejudice is patent. Section 39-1-20, though providing that both the commission and the department may employ legal counsel, is couched in terms of impartiality. The fact that the Attorney General is potentially at the immediate disposal of the division precludes his office from correspondingly advising the commission. While there was no showing of actual prejudice by this conflict of interest in the proceeding below, the potential conflict is enough to prohibit the procedure in subsequent hearings. See Horn v. Township of Hilltown, 461 Pa. 745, 337 A.2d 858 (1975).