Relates to settlement negotiations in major electric, natural gas, water, and steam rate increase proceedings before the public service commission

This bill requires the Department of Public Service to assign a specially trained administrative law judge to oversee settlement negotiations in rate increase cases for electric, natural gas, water, and steam utilities. The assigned judge will manage the negotiation process to ensure it is consistent, fair, and efficient for all parties involved, rather than relying on the individual styles of different judges. Additionally, the department must create public standards to explain how these negotiations are organized, and the judge may act as a mediator on specific topics if requested by a party and not objected to by others. These changes apply to rate proceedings initiated after the law takes effect, aiming to standardize how utility companies and regulators reach settlement agreements.