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HB 446

EDUCATION-TECH

104th Regular Session Introduced by Chris Welch

House Bill 446 enhances the Public Service Commission's ability to gather information, improving oversight of gas companies and empowering stakeholders in regulatory proceedings.

Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee
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Bill Summary · HB 446

Summary of House Bill 446

Bill Number: HB 446
Title: Public Service Commission; discovery rights in proceedings; revise provisions
Status: House Second Readers
Introduced: February 13, 2025

Purpose and Intent

House Bill 446 aims to amend the discovery rights related to investigations and hearings conducted by the Public Service Commission (PSC) in Georgia. The bill seeks to enhance the ability of the PSC and its agents to obtain necessary information during proceedings, thereby improving the efficiency and effectiveness of regulatory oversight.

Key Provisions

The bill proposes several significant changes to Article 3 of Chapter 2 of Title 46 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated:

  1. Expanded Discovery Rights:

    • The PSC will be authorized to issue orders allowing its employees and agents to take depositions and obtain discovery of relevant, non-privileged information in the same manner as civil actions under Chapter 11 of Title 9.
    • All parties involved in proceedings, including gas companies and intervenors with party status, will have access to these discovery rights.

  2. Petitioning for Orders:

    • The PSC and involved parties can petition the Superior Court of Fulton County for necessary orders, injunctions, and subpoenas to enforce discovery rights.
    • The court is empowered to issue these orders and take actions as needed to support the PSC's discovery efforts.

  3. Enforcement and Sanctions:

    • The Superior Court can extend the suspension of new rates or charges if a regulated utility fails to comply with a discovery request deemed unreasonable.
    • This extension can only occur if the utility has completely failed to respond to a valid request.

  4. Timely Hearings:

    • Any application or petition made under this bill must be heard within 20 days of filing, ensuring prompt resolution of discovery-related issues.

Impact

Who Will Be Affected?

  • Public Service Commission: Enhanced authority to gather information will improve regulatory processes.
  • Gas Companies: Increased obligations to comply with discovery requests could impact operational practices.
  • Intervenors and Other Parties: Expanded rights to access information may empower stakeholders in proceedings.

Procedural Aspects

  • The bill is currently in the legislative process, having passed the House First Readers stage on February 18, 2025, and is now at the House Second Readers stage as of February 19, 2025.

Conclusion

House Bill 446 represents a significant step towards strengthening the Public Service Commission's ability to conduct thorough investigations and hearings. By revising discovery rights, the bill aims to ensure that all parties have equitable access to information, thereby fostering transparency and accountability in the regulation of public utilities in Georgia.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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