2016 -- H 7159 | |
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LC003721 | |
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND | |
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY | |
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2016 | |
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A N A C T | |
RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS - REGULATORY POWERS OF | |
ADMINISTRATION | |
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Introduced By: Representative Arthur J. Corvese | |
Date Introduced: January 14, 2016 | |
Referred To: House Corporations | |
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: | |
1 | SECTION 1. Section 39-3-11 of the General Laws in Chapter 39-3 entitled "Regulatory |
2 | Powers of Administration" is hereby amended to read as follows: |
3 | 39-3-11. Notice of change in rates -- Suspension of change -- Hearings. -- (a) No |
4 | change shall be made in the rates, tolls, and charges which have been filed and published by any |
5 | public utility in compliance with the requirements of § 39-3-10, except after thirty (30) days |
6 | notice to the commission and to the public published as provided in § 39-3-10, which shall |
7 | plainly state the changes proposed to be made in the schedule then in force, and the time when the |
8 | changed rates, tolls, or charges will go into effect. Whenever the commission receives notice of |
9 | any change or changes proposed to be made in any schedule filed under the provisions of § 39-3- |
10 | 10, the commission shall hold a public hearing and make investigation as to the propriety of the |
11 | proposed change or changes. After notice of any investigation, the commission shall have power, |
12 | by any order served upon the public utility affected, to suspend the taking effect of the change or |
13 | changes pending the decision thereof, but not for a longer period than eight (8) months beyond |
14 | the time when the change or changes would otherwise take effect. Each hearing and investigation |
15 | shall be conducted as expeditiously as may be practicable, and with a minimum of delay. Within |
16 | ninety (90) days after the completion of any hearing, the commission shall make such order in |
17 | reference to any proposed rate, toll, or charge as may be proper. Notwithstanding the provisions |
18 | of this section, the commission shall periodically hold a public hearing and make investigation as |
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1 | to the propriety of rates when charged by any public utility and shall make such order in reference |
2 | to the rate, toll, or charge as may be just. The hearing prescribed by this section may be held |
3 | simultaneously with the hearing prescribed by § 39-3-7. In the event of an appeal from an order |
4 | of the commission in any hearing under this section, the order shall remain in full force and effect |
5 | during the pendency of said appeal. |
6 | (b) Upon receipt from a common carrier of persons and/or property upon water of a |
7 | notice of any change proposed to be made in any schedule filed pursuant to § 39-3-10, the |
8 | commission shall give notice as it may prescribe of the pendency of the proposal and of the time |
9 | and place of the hearing thereon to the mayor and also any city manager of each city, and to the |
10 | president of the town council and also any town manager of each town in which the carrier picks |
11 | up or discharges passengers. The commission shall also publish a notice of the hearing at least ten |
12 | (10) days prior to the date thereof in a newspaper of general circulation in each city or town in |
13 | which the carrier picks up or discharges passengers. In all other respects, hearings and |
14 | investigations with respect to the proposals by the carriers shall be governed by the provisions of |
15 | subsection (a) of this section. |
16 | (c) The Kent County water authority shall provide notice by certified mail of rate |
17 | increase requests to the several fire districts which purchase water from the authority. |
18 | (d) Costs incurred by electric distribution companies for filing rates, tolls and charges, |
19 | for participating in hearings and investigations prior to December 31, 2000 or for appealing |
20 | commission decisions rendered prior to December 31, 2000 pursuant to this section shall not be |
21 | included in the rates, tolls or charges established by the commission pursuant to this section. |
22 | (e) No rate increase shall be approved by the commission, nor shall any rate increase be |
23 | permitted, which is in excess of two and one-half percent (2.5%) of the rates, tolls, and charges |
24 | which have been filed and published by any public utility, common carrier, or other entity in |
25 | compliance with the requirements of §39-3-10, and which are in effect at the time of the proposed |
26 | increase. Provided, further, no public utility, common carrier or other entity shall be entitled to an |
27 | aggregate rate increase in excess of two and one-half percent (2.5%) within any consecutive |
28 | twenty-four (24) month period, regardless of whether the increases are requested at one time or in |
29 | multiple applications. |
30 | SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage. |
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LC003721 | |
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EXPLANATION | |
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL | |
OF | |
A N A C T | |
RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS - REGULATORY POWERS OF | |
ADMINISTRATION | |
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1 | This act would prohibit utility rate increases in excess of two and one-half percent (2.5%) |
2 | over any twenty-four (24) month period. |
3 | This act would take effect upon passage. |
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