Ohio § 4928.58

§ 4928.58.

(A) There is hereby created the public benefits advisory board, which has the purpose

of ensuring that energy services be provided to low-income consumers in this state

in an affordable manner consistent with the policy specified in section 4928.02 of the Revised Code .  The advisory board shall consist of twenty-one members as follows:  the director

of job and family services, the chairperson of the public utilities commission, the

consumers' counsel, and the director of the air quality development authority, each

serving ex officio and represented by a designee at the official's discretion;  two

members of the house of representatives appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives,

neither of the same political party, and two members of the senate appointed by the

president of the senate, neither of the same political party;  and thirteen members

appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate, consisting of

one representative of suppliers of competitive retail electric service;  one representative

of the residential class of electric utility customers;  one representative of the

industrial class of electric utility customers;  one representative of the commercial

class of electric utility customers;  one representative of agricultural or rural

customers of an electric utility;  two customers receiving assistance under one or

more of the low-income customer assistance programs, to represent customers eligible

for any such assistance, including senior citizens;  one representative of the general

public;  one representative of local intake agencies;  one representative of a community-based

organization serving low-income customers;  one representative of environmental protection

interests;  one representative of lending institutions;  and one person considered

an expert in energy efficiency or renewables technology.  Initial appointments shall be made not later than November 1, 1999. (B) Initial terms of six of the appointed members shall end on June 30, 2003, and initial

terms of the remaining seven appointed members shall end on June 30, 2004.  Thereafter, terms of appointed members shall be for three years, with each term

ending on the same day of the same month as the term it succeeds.  Each member shall hold office from the date of the member's appointment until the

end of the term for which the member was appointed.  Members may be reappointed. Vacancies shall be filled in the manner provided for original appointments.  Any member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring prior to the expiration date of

the term for which the member's predecessor was appointed shall hold office as a member

for the remainder of that term.  A member shall continue in office after the expiration date of the member's term

until the member's successor takes office or until a period of sixty days has elapsed,

whichever occurs first. (C) Board members shall be reimbursed for their actual and necessary expenses incurred

in the performance of board duties.  The reimbursements constitute, as applicable, administrative costs of the low-income

customer assistance programs for the purpose of sections 4928.51 and 4928.52 of the Revised Code . (D) The advisory board shall select a chairperson from among its members.  Only board members appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the

senate shall be voting members of the board;  each shall have one vote in all deliberations

of the board.  A majority of the voting members constitute a quorum. (E) The advisory board shall advise the director of job and family services in the administration

of the low-income customer assistance programs. (F) The advisory board is not an agency for purposes of sections 101.82 to 101.87 of the Revised Code .