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To: Editors, News Directors |
Date: January 6, 2003 |
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For: Immediate Release |
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Newly Elected Officials Sworn in Today |
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PHOENIX - At a welcome reception held today in Phoenix, the two new Commissioners, Mike Gleason and Jeff Hatch-Miller, were sworn in. Today both men began serving Arizona residents during two-year terms on the regulatory body. Commissioner Jim Irvin, who was re-elected to a new four-year term, took his oath of office today also. Commission Chairman Bill Mundell and Commissioner Marc Spitzer round out the five-member panel. |
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The Corporation Commission previously was composed of three Commissioners elected by the people of Arizona for a six-year term, with one Commissioner standing for election every two years. Proposition 103, passed by voters in the 2000 election, expanded the Commission from three to five members and changed the term of office from a single six-year term to a four-year term with the option to run for a second consecutive term. The two new seats were phased in with an initial two-year term. In the case of a vacancy, the Governor appoints a Commissioner to serve until the next General Election. |
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Few state offices affect the daily lives of Arizonans as much as the Arizona Corporation Commission. Most states have a Public Service Commission or a Public Utility Commission to regulate and set the rates for public gas, electric, water, sewer and telecommunication utilities. The Arizona Corporation Commission fulfills these duties but has additional authorities granted by the Arizona Constitution. The Commission also registers corporations and limited liability companies (LLCs) doing business in Arizona, regulates the sale of securities or investments, registers investment advisers and sales representatives and enforces railroad and pipeline safety statutes. |
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The Commission oversees railroad safety by enforcing federal and state safety statutes, conducting inspections and investigating crashes and derailments. Similarly, the Commission’s Pipeline Safety staff enforces state and federal statutes governing natural gas, hazardous materials pipelines and investigates violations of the Arizona Underground Facilities Laws. |
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By virtue of the Arizona Constitution, the Commissioners function in an Executive capacity; they also adopt rules and regulations, thereby functioning in a Legislative capacity; and they act in a Judicial capacity by making decisions in contested matters. |
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The Commission is required by the Arizona Constitution to maintain its chief office in Phoenix and it is required by law to conduct monthly meetings. For the convenience of the public, Open Meeting agendas and Hearing Calendars are posted on the Commission website. For a schedule of Open Meetings, see http://www.cc.state.az.us/meetings/index.htm. For the calendar of upcoming or recent evidentiary hearings, click on http://www.cc.state.az.us/hearings/index.htm. |
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For more information about the Arizona Corporation Commission, please visit the agency’s main website at www.cc.state.az.us. For specific information about the Utilities Division or for help resolving a utility matter, the following shortcut will take you to the newly-revised Utilities website: http://www.cc.state.az.us/utility/index.htm. |
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Arizona Corporation Commission (Main Office) |
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Southern Arizona Office (Staffed to assist with corporate filings, hearings and utility issues) |
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Important phone numbers: Commissioners’ Offices: 602-542-2237. Listen Line (Live Audio Feed of Commission Open Meetings or Hearings): 602-542-0222. Utilities Division Consumer Services: 602-542-4251 or 800-222-7000.* Corporations Division Consumer Services: 602-542-3026 or 800-345-5819.* Securities Division Consumer Services: 602-542-4242 or 877-811-3878.* Southern Arizona Office 520-628-6554 or 800-535-0148.* *Toll free numbers work outside the Phoenix metro area or Tucson area respectively. |
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Biographies of the Commissioners |
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