Rhode Island Code of Regulations
Title 810 - Public Utilities Commission
Chapter 00 - General Administration
Subchapter 00 - N/A
Part 1 - Rules of Practice and Procedure
Section 810-RICR-00-00-1.2 - Definitions

1. "Applicant" means, in proceedings involving filings for permission or authorization which the Commission may give under statutory or other authority delegated to it, the party on whose behalf the filings are made.

2. "Clerk" means the Commission clerk, appointed by the Commission pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws § 39-1-9.

3. "Commission" and "Commissioner" means the Public Utilities Commission, and a member thereof, respectively. "Chair" means the Chairperson of the Public Utilities Commission.

4. "Commission counsel" means the legal counsel of the Commission, and includes any outside attorney hired by the Commission to participate in any proceeding before the Commission.

5. "Commission-initiated investigation" means an investigation initiated by the Commission itself based on its general authority.

6. "Consensus" means unanimous concurrence among the interests represented on a negotiated rulemaking committee established under this rule.

7. "Convener" means a person who impartially assists the Commission in determining whether establishment of a negotiated rulemaking committee is feasible and appropriate in a particular rulemaking.

8. "Contested case" means a proceeding, including but not restricted to ratemaking, price fixing, and licensing, in which the legal rights, duties, or privileges of a specific party are required by law to be determined by the Commission after an opportunity for hearing.

9. "Division" means the Division of Public Utilities and Carriers described in R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 39-1-2(4) and 39-1-3.

10. "Division counsel" means the representative of the Division, including but not limited to its legal counsel, participating in a proceeding before the Commission.

11. "Ex parte" means direct or indirect communication outside of a hearing, in connection with any issue of fact or law in a pending proceeding, except upon notice and opportunity for all parties to participate, between any party or representative and any Commissioner.

12. "Facilitator" means a person who impartially aids in the discussions and negotiations among the members of a negotiated rulemaking committee to develop a proposed rule. It also refers to a person who is charged to develop a recommendation for Commission review in a contested adjudicatory proceeding; in such case, the facilitator may not serve the Commission in any capacity thereafter.

13. "Filing" means written applications, comments, petitions, pleadings, protests, motions, briefs, objections, rate schedules, notices, reports and compliance filings.

14. "Interest" means, with respect to an issue or matter, multiple parties which have a similar point of view or which are likely to be affected in a similar manner.

15. "Intervenor" means a party who intervenes in a pending matter or proceeding by statutory right or by order of the Commission on petition to intervene.

16. "Matter" or "Proceeding" means the docket initiated by a filing or submittal or a Commission notice or order.

17. "Negotiated rulemaking" means rulemaking through the use of a facilitator and committee.

18. "Negotiated rulemaking committee" or "Committee" means an advisory committee established by the Commission to consider and discuss issues for the purpose of reaching a consensus in the development of a proposed rule.

19. "Notice and comment rulemaking" or "Rulemaking" means a proceeding for the purpose of promulgating rules and regulations.

20. "Party" means the Division and each person named or admitted as a party to a proceeding before the Commission.

21. "Petitioners" means persons seeking relief, not otherwise designated in this section.

22. "Presiding officer" or "Lead commissioner" means the Chair or other Commissioner authorized by the Chair to conduct or preside over any hearing before the Commission.

23. "Respondents" means persons subject to any statute or other delegated authority administered by the Commission to whom an order or notice is issued by the Commission instituting a proceeding or investigation on its own initiative.