Sec. 1. 35-A MRSA §1701, sub-§3, as repealed and replaced by PL 1999, c. 259, §4, is amended to read:

3. Salaries of certain employees. The salaries of the following employees of the Public Advocate are within the following salary ranges:

A. Deputy Public Advocate, salary range 53;

B. Senior Counsel, salary range 36;

C. Economic Analyst, salary range 36;

D. Research Assistant, salary range 30;

E. Business Services Manager, salary range 26; and

F. Special Assistant to the Public Advocate, salary range 20.

The employees listed in this subsection serve at the pleasure of the Public Advocate and are confidential employees. All other employees of the Public Advocate are subject to the Civil Service Law.

The Public Advocate may, at the Public Advocate's discretion, substitute an Economic Analyst position at salary range 36 for any vacant Senior Counsel position.__The Public Advocate also may compensate one or more Senior Counsels at salary range 37 if, in the judgment of the Public Advocate, an increase is necessary to provide competitive salary levels.

SUMMARY

This bill authorizes the Public Advocate at the Public Advocate's discretion to substitute an economic analyst position for a vacant senior counsel position. The bill also authorizes the Public Advocate to compensate a senior counsel at a higher salary range when the increase is necessary to provide competitive salary levels.