§269-51 Consumer advocate; director of commerce and consumer affairs. The director of commerce and consumer affairs shall be the consumer advocate in hearings before the public utilities commission. The consumer advocate shall represent, protect, and advance the interests of all consumers, including small businesses, of utility services. The consumer advocate shall not receive any salary in addition to the salary received as director of commerce and consumer affairs.

The responsibility for advocating the interests of the consumer of utility services shall be separate and distinct from the responsibilities of the public utilities commission and those assistants employed by the commission. As consumer advocate, the director of commerce and consumer affairs shall have full rights to participate as a party in interest in all proceedings before the public utilities commission. [L 1976, c 124, pt of §1; am L 1982, c 204, §6; am L 1986, c 52, §1]