(1) Organization of the department of public service regulation.

(a) History: The department was created by section 2-15-2601, MCA. The department head is the public service commission.

(b) Public service commission: The public service commission consists of five members elected by the people at the general election. One of the commissioners is designated chairman by approval and consent of a majority of the commissioners. Any vacancy occurring in the commission is filled by appointment by the governor, and such appointee shall hold office until the next general election.

(c) Divisions: The department consists of the following three divisions:

(i) Legal division

(ii) Transportation and centralized services division

(iii) Utility division

(2) Functions of the department of public service regulation:

(a) Legal division: The legal division advises the commission in all matters requiring a legal interpretation or opinion. Its activities include court appearances, the drafting of orders issued by the commission, ARM management, providing legal counsel to the commission, legal research, court docket management and acting as hearings officers for the commission.

(b) Transportation and centralized services division: Transportation administers the regulation of motor carriers and railroads under department jurisdiction. Its activities include rate analysis, supervision and enforcement of the Motor Carrier Act and rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. Centralized services performs the general fiscal administrative support functions of the department. Its activities include purchasing, accounting, budgeting, payroll, personnel, statistics, reports, records management, and revenue collecting, data processing, and providing a court reporter for hearings.

(c) Utility division: The utility division administers the regulation of public utilities under department jurisdiction, including rate analysis, safety standards and utility auditing.

(3) Information on submissions: General inquiries regarding the department may be addressed to the commission chairman. Specific inquiries regarding the functions of each division may be addressed to the administrator of that division. Any utility or transportation complaint should be directed to the customer service representative by calling 444-6150.

(4) Personnel Roster:

          Danny Oberg, Commissioner (District 1)

          Nancy McCaffree, Commissioner (District 2)

          Bob Anderson, Commissioner (District 3)

          Dave Fisher, Chairman (District 4)

          Bob Rowe, Commissioner (District 5)

 

Robin A. McHugh, Administrator/Chief Counsel, Legal Division

Wayne W. Budt, Administrator, Transportation and Centralized Services Division

          Dan Elliott, Administrator, Utility Division

The address of the chairman, each commissioner, and the administrator of each division is as follows:

          Public Service Commission

          1701 Prospect Avenue

          P.O. Box 202601

          Helena, MT 59620-2601

(5) Charts of department organization: Descriptive charts of the department of public service regulation are attached as the following four pages of this rule and by reference are here incorporated.