---
kind: "section"
citation: "16 U.S.C. § 824h"
title: "16"
title_heading: "Conservation"
number: "824h"
heading: "References to State boards by Commission"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/16/824h"
units:
  - "Chapter 12 — Federal Regulation and Development of Power"
  - "Subchapter II — Regulation of Electric Utility Companies Engaged in Interstate Commerce"
---

# §824h. References to State boards by Commission

- (a) **Composition of boards; force and effect of proceedings—** The [Commission](/usc/16/544.md?p=c) may refer any matter arising in the administration of this subchapter to a board to be composed of a member or members, as determined by the [Commission](/usc/16/544.md?p=c), from the [State](/usc/16/796.md?p=6) or each of the [States](/usc/16/544.md?p=r) affected or to be affected by such matter. Any such board shall be vested with the same power and be subject to the same duties and liabilities as in the case of a member of the [Commission](/usc/16/544.md?p=c) when designated by the [Commission](/usc/16/544.md?p=c) to hold any hearings. The action of such board shall have such force and effect and its proceedings shall be conducted in such manner as the [Commission](/usc/16/544.md?p=c) shall by regulations prescribe. The board shall be appointed by the [Commission](/usc/16/544.md?p=c) from [persons](/usc/16/796.md?p=4) nominated by the [State commission](/usc/16/796.md?p=15) of each [State](/usc/16/796.md?p=6) affected or by the Governor of such [State](/usc/16/796.md?p=6) if there is no [State commission](/usc/16/796.md?p=15). Each [State](/usc/16/796.md?p=6) affected shall be entitled to the same number of representatives on the board unless the nominating power of such [State](/usc/16/796.md?p=6) waives such right. The [Commission](/usc/16/544.md?p=c) shall have discretion to reject the nominee from any [State](/usc/16/796.md?p=6), but shall thereupon invite a new nomination from that [State](/usc/16/796.md?p=6). The members of a board shall receive such allowances for expenses as the [Commission](/usc/16/544.md?p=c) shall provide. The [Commission](/usc/16/544.md?p=c) may, when in its discretion sufficient reason exists therefor, revoke any reference to such a board.
- (b) **Cooperation with State commissions—** The [Commission](/usc/16/544.md?p=c) may confer with any [State commission](/usc/16/796.md?p=15) regarding the relationship between rate structures, costs, accounts, charges, practices, classifications, and regulations of public utilities subject to the jurisdiction of such [State commission](/usc/16/796.md?p=15) and of the [Commission](/usc/16/544.md?p=c); and the [Commission](/usc/16/544.md?p=c) is authorized, under such rules and regulations as it shall prescribe, to hold joint hearings with any [State commission](/usc/16/796.md?p=15) in connection with any matter with respect to which the [Commission](/usc/16/544.md?p=c) is authorized to act. The [Commission](/usc/16/544.md?p=c) is authorized in the administration of this chapter to avail itself of such cooperation, services, records, and facilities as may be afforded by any [State commission](/usc/16/796.md?p=15).
- (c) **Availability of information and reports to State commissions; Commission experts—** The [Commission](/usc/16/544.md?p=c) shall make available to the several [State commissions](/usc/16/796.md?p=15) such information and reports as may be of assistance in [State](/usc/16/796.md?p=6) regulation of public utilities. Whenever the [Commission](/usc/16/544.md?p=c) can do so without prejudice to the efficient and proper conduct of its affairs, it may upon request from a [State](/usc/16/796.md?p=6) make available to such [State](/usc/16/796.md?p=6) as witnesses any of its trained rate, valuation, or other experts, subject to reimbursement to the [Commission](/usc/16/544.md?p=c) by such [State](/usc/16/796.md?p=6) of the compensation and traveling expenses of such witnesses. All sums collected hereunder shall be credited to the appropriation from which the amounts were expended in carrying out the provisions of this subsection.

## Source credit

(June 10, 1920, ch. 285, pt. II, § 209, as added Aug. 26, 1935, ch. 687, title II, § 213, 49 Stat. 853.)