{"AmendmentNumber":"158","ParentBillNumber":"S3143","Bill":null,"Sponsor":{"Id":"BET0","Name":"Bruce E. Tarr","Type":1,"Details":"https://malegislature.gov/api/GeneralCourts/194/LegislativeMembers/BET0","ResponseDate":"2026-06-26T14:58:33.917"},"Category":null,"Action":"Rejected","RollCall":[],"Title":"Ratepayer Relief Commission","Branch":"Senate","RedraftNumber":null,"IsFurther":false,"GeneralCourtNumber":194,"Text":"Mr. Tarr moves that the proposed new text be amended by inserting after section _ the following section:-\r\n\"SECTION_. There is hereby established, within, but not subject to the control of, the executive office of energy and environmental affairs, a Ratepayer Relief Commission, whose purpose shall be to identify, evaluate and recommend actions that will reduce the cost of energy for residential, commercial and industrial consumers in the commonwealth. The commission shall examine electric and gas rates, distribution and transmission charges, reconciling charges, any other charges appearing on utility bills, procurement practices, utility cost recovery mechanisms, and any other factor contributing to ratepayer energy burdens. Recommendations of the commission shall focus on reducing costs to consumers and shall not focus exclusively on recommendations whose primary purpose is the reduction of energy consumption or behavioral changes in energy use.\r\nThe commission shall consist of the following members: the secretary of energy and environmental affairs or a designee, who shall serve as chair; the attorney general or a designee with expertise in ratepayer advocacy; and 9 members appointed by the governor, including, one representative of small business ratepayers; one representative of residential ratepayers from an independent, non utility affiliated consumer advocacy organization;  one representative of municipal light plants; one representative of an electric distribution company; one representative of a natural gas distribution company; one representative of organized labor with experience in utility or energy sector employment; one representative of low income consumer advocates; and one academic or technical expert in utility management, and one academic or technical expert in energy supply and  economics.\r\nMembers shall serve without compensation but may receive reimbursement for reasonable expenses. The commission shall meet at least quarterly and may hold public hearings as necessary.\r\nThe commission shall file an initial report of its findings and recommendations with the clerks of the house and senate, the joint committee on telecommunications, utilities and energy, and the house and senate committees on ways and means not later than 12 months following the passage of this act and shall file annual reports thereafter, not later than December 31st of each year. The commission shall terminate 3 years following the date of the passage of this act, unless otherwise extended modified or terminated.\"\r\n"}