§269-3  Employment of assistants.  (a) The chairperson of the public utilities commission may appoint and employclerks, stenographers, agents, engineers, accountants, and other assistants forthe public utilities commission as the chairperson finds necessary for theperformance of the commission's functions and define their powers and duties. The chairperson may appoint and, at pleasure, dismiss a chief administrator andhearings officers as may be necessary.  Notwithstanding section 103D-209, thechairperson shall appoint one or more attorneys independent of the attorneygeneral who shall act as attorneys for the commission and define their powersand duties and fix their compensation.  The chief administrator, chief ofpolicy and research, chief of administrative support, chief of consumer affairsand compliance, utility analysts, and attorneys shall be exempt from chapter76.  Research assistants, economists, legal secretaries, legal assistants, andenforcement officers may be appointed with or without regard to chapter 76. Other employees shall be appointed as may be needed by the chairperson inaccordance with chapter 76.

(b)  Notwithstanding section 91-13, thecommission may consult with its assistants appointed under authority of thissection in any contested case or agency hearing concerning any issue of facts. Neither the commission nor any of its assistants shall in such proceedingconsult with any other person or party except upon notice and an opportunityfor all parties to participate, save to the extent required for the dispositionof ex parte matters authorized by law. [L 1913, c 89, §2; RL 1925, §2190; am L1933, c 141, §2; RL 1945, §4703; am L 1949, c 179, §1; RL 1955, §104-3; am impL 1963, c 21, §1 and c 114, §3; HRS §269-3; am L 1972, c 118, §2; am L 1976, c165, §2; am L 1983, c 219, §4; am L 1985, c 292, §1; gen ch 1985; am L 1989, c178, §1; am L 1991, c 57, §4; gen ch 1993; am L Sp 1993, c 8, §53; am L 2000, c253, §150; am L 2006, c 143, §1; am L 2007, c 177, §3]

 

Note

 

  Restructuring of operations, etc.  L 2007, c 177, §4.