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Senate advances utilities overhaul that would create an Office of Public Advocate
Summary
After a long, bipartisan debate, the Senate advanced House Bill 320, which consolidates utility oversight functions into a new Office of Public Advocate and changes adjudicative procedures. Proponents argued the change would reduce regulatory lag; opponents said consumers’ advocacy voice could be weakened and urged interim study.
The Utah Senate voted to advance first substitute House Bill 320, a substantial restructuring of utility regulation that would consolidate the Division of Public Utilities and the Committee of Consumer Services into a new Office of Public Advocate and introduce an informal/formal adjudication pathway for rate and service disputes.
Senator Blackcomb, sponsor of the measure, described the bill as a technical but necessary overhaul intended to streamline proceedings and encourage…
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