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An Act To Clarify the Role of the Public Advocate
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 35-A MRSA §1702, as amended by PL 2001, c. 27, §1, is further amended by adding at the end a new paragraph to read:
The Public Advocate must be unencumbered by direction from or approval of the executive branch in fulfilling the duties and responsibilities set forth in this section.
 
SUMMARY
Under current law, the duties and responsibilities of the Public Advocate are to represent the public in matters within the jurisdiction of the Public Utilities Commission. This bill provides that the Public Advocate must be unencumbered by direction from or approval of the executive branch in fulfilling those duties and responsibilities.