Gov. Sam Brownback on Wednesday gave an additional job to the small state agency that represents consumers in utility rate cases.

Brownback signed an executive order that also puts the Citizens’ Utility Ratepayer Board (CURB) in charge of reviewing new rules and regulations proposed by state agencies.

“CURB has a strong history of making sure the interests of resident and small commercial ratepayers in Kansas are not overlooked. This new assignment is a natural fit for its citizen board members,” Brownback said. Most of CURB’s current business is done before the Kansas Corporation Commission.

During his campaign for governor, Brownback said he wanted a panel to receive citizen input on new rules and regulations and assess the impact of those measures.

Under the executive order, when CURB is working on the rules and regulations it will be referred to as the Citizens’ Regulatory Review Board or CRRB.

“We appreciate the governor’s expression of confidence in CURB,” said Nancy Jackson, who is chair of the CURB Board. “This is a significant expansion of CURB’s role into oversight of proposed regulations that impact Kansas citizens,” she said. She said CURB has been assured that the agency will have additional resources to accomplish the additional task.

In his news release, Brownback said the Department of Administration will use existing resources to provide support to CURB.

CURB is run by a five-member volunteer board that is appointed by the governor.