2017 -- H 5030

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LC000125

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2017

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS - REGULATORY POWERS OF

ADMINISTRATION

     

     Introduced By: Representative Arthur J. Corvese

     Date Introduced: January 06, 2017

     Referred To: House Corporations

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Section 39-3-11 of the General Laws in Chapter 39-3 entitled "Regulatory

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Powers of Administration" is hereby amended to read as follows:

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     39-3-11. Notice of change in rates -- Suspension of change -- Hearings.

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     (a) No change shall be made in the rates, tolls, and charges which have been filed and

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published by any public utility in compliance with the requirements of § 39-3-10, except after

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thirty (30) days notice to the commission and to the public published as provided in § 39-3-10,

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which shall plainly state the changes proposed to be made in the schedule then in force, and the

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time when the changed rates, tolls, or charges will go into effect. Whenever the commission

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receives notice of any change or changes proposed to be made in any schedule filed under the

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provisions of § 39-3-10, the commission shall hold a public hearing and make investigation as to

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the propriety of the proposed change or changes. After notice of any investigation, the

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commission shall have power, by any order served upon the public utility affected, to suspend the

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taking effect of the change or changes pending the decision thereof, but not for a longer period

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than eight (8) months beyond the time when the change or changes would otherwise take effect.

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Each hearing and investigation shall be conducted as expeditiously as may be practicable, and

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with a minimum of delay. Within ninety (90) days after the completion of any hearing, the

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commission shall make such order in reference to any proposed rate, toll, or charge as may be

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proper. Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, the commission shall periodically hold a

 

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public hearing and make investigation as to the propriety of rates when charged by any public

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utility and shall make such order in reference to the rate, toll, or charge as may be just. The

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hearing prescribed by this section may be held simultaneously with the hearing prescribed by §

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39-3-7. In the event of an appeal from an order of the commission in any hearing under this

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section, the order shall remain in full force and effect during the pendency of said appeal.

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      (b) Upon receipt from a common carrier of persons and/or property upon water of a

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notice of any change proposed to be made in any schedule filed pursuant to § 39-3-10, the

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commission shall give notice as it may prescribe of the pendency of the proposal and of the time

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and place of the hearing thereon to the mayor and also any city manager of each city, and to the

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president of the town council and also any town manager of each town in which the carrier picks

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up or discharges passengers. The commission shall also publish a notice of the hearing at least ten

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(10) days prior to the date thereof in a newspaper of general circulation in each city or town in

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which the carrier picks up or discharges passengers. In all other respects, hearings and

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investigations with respect to the proposals by the carriers shall be governed by the provisions of

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subsection (a) of this section.

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      (c) The Kent County water authority shall provide notice by certified mail of rate

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increase requests to the several fire districts which purchase water from the authority.

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      (d) Costs incurred by electric distribution companies for filing rates, tolls and charges,

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for participating in hearings and investigations prior to December 31, 2000 or for appealing

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commission decisions rendered prior to December 31, 2000 pursuant to this section shall not be

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included in the rates, tolls or charges established by the commission pursuant to this section.

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     (e) No rate increase shall be approved by the commission, nor shall any rate increase be

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permitted, which is in excess of two and one-half percent (2.5%) of the rates, tolls, and charges

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which have been filed and published by any public utility, common carrier, or other entity in

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compliance with the requirements of §39-3-10, and which are in effect at the time of the proposed

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increase. Provided, further, no public utility, common carrier or other entity shall be entitled to an

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aggregate rate increase in excess of two and one-half percent (2.5%) within any consecutive

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twenty-four (24) month period, regardless of whether the increases are requested at one time or in

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multiple applications.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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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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     This act would prohibit utility rate increases in excess of two and one-half percent (2.5%)

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over any twenty-four (24) month period.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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