65- 407 C.M.R. ch. 110, § 3

Current through 2024-25, June 19, 2024
Section 407-110-3 - PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
A.Meetings, Public Proceedings and Deliberations

Except for matters which may be the subject of executive session as provided in 1 M.R.S.A. §405, all meetings, public proceedings and deliberative sessions of the Commission shall be open to the public. Public notice shall be provided as required by 1 M.R.S.A. §406 and 35-A M.R.S.A. §108-A.

B.Commission Record of Proceedings
1.Decisions

Every decision of the Commission shall be in writing. A copy of each decision shall be maintained by the Commission.

2.Deliberative Sessions

The Administrative Director shall ensure that a record is kept of the date, time and place of each deliberative session, the Commissioners in attendance, and all votes. This may be done through the maintenance of an audio, video or other electronic recording.

C.Practice before Commission
1.Attorneys

Any attorney duly admitted to practice as an attorney in the State of Maine, any attorney admitted to practice in another state who has entered a limited appearance as authorized by the Commission, any party acting pro se, and any authorized officer, employee or representative of a party in any hearing, action or proceeding is authorized to appear on behalf of parties before the Commission. In order to facilitate the efficient processing of any proceeding, the presiding officer may require the appearance of counsel on behalf of any party.

2.Non-Attorneys

All authorized officers, employees or other representatives of parties who are not duly admitted to practice as attorneys in the State of Maine are expected, as a condition of representation, to be familiar with this Chapter, the Maine Rules of Civil Procedure where applicable, the Maine Rules of Evidence where applicable, and to abide by Maine Rules of Professional Conduct for attorneys 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5 and 3.7. Failure of a non-attorney representative to abide by these rules may result in appropriate sanctions including temporary or permanent bar from appearing in a representative capacity before the Commission.

D.Alternative Dispute Resolution

In any adjudicatory proceeding, a party or parties may request that some or all the issues in dispute in the proceeding be resolved through the use of alternative dispute resolution, including the use of neutral facilitators, mediators or arbitrators. The request shall explain why the party or parties believe such alternative means would be appropriate and the timing of such attempt at resolution. The Commission shall consider such requests and issue an order either granting a request or denying it after all parties have had an opportunity to file their position.

65- 407 C.M.R. ch. 110, § 3