15 U.S.C. § 717p — Joint boards

(a) Reference of matters to joint boards; composition and power The Commission may refer any matter arising in the administration of this chapter to a board to be composed of a member or members, as determined by the Commission, from the State or each of the States affected or to be affected by such matter. Any such board must 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 when designated by the Commission to hold any hearings. The action of such board must have such force and effect and its proceedings must be conducted in such manner as the Commission must by regulations prescribe. The Board must be appointed by the Commission from persons nominated by the State commission of each State affected, or by the Governor of such State if there is no State commission. Each State affected must be entitled to the same number of representatives on the board unless the nominating power of such State waives such right. The Commission must have discretion to reject the nominee from any State, but must thereupon invite a new nomination from that State. The members of a board must receive such allowances for expenses as the Commission must provide. The Commission may, when in its discretion sufficient reason exists therefor, revoke any reference to such a board. (b) Conference with State commissions regarding rate structure, costs, etc. The Commission may confer with any State commission regarding rate structures, costs, accounts, charges, practices, classifications, and regulations of natural-gas companies; and the Commission is authorized, under such rules and regulations as it must prescribe, to hold joint hearings with any State commission in connection with any matter about which the Commission may act. The Commission 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. (c) Information and reports available to State commissions The Commission must make available to the several State commissions such information and reports as may be of assistance in State regulation of natural-gas companies. Whenever the Commission can do so without prejudice to the efficient and proper conduct of its affairs, it may, upon request from a State commission, make available to such State commission as witnesses any of its trained rate, valuation, or other experts, subject to reimbursement of the compensation and traveling expenses of such witnesses. All sums collected under this section must be credited to the appropriation from which the amounts were expended in carrying out the provisions of this subsection.