Current Status Introducing Body:Senate Bill Number:655 Primary Sponsor:Drummond Committee Number:11 Type of Legislation:GB Subject:Public utilities, rate changes Residing Body:Senate Current Committee:Judiciary Computer Document Number:BBM/10458JM.93 Introduced Date:19930407 Last History Body:Senate Last History Date:19930407 Last History Type:Introduced, read first time, referred to Committee Scope of Legislation:Statewide All Sponsors:Drummond Type of Legislation:General Bill
Bill Body Date Action Description CMN Leg Involved
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655 Senate 19930407 Introduced, read first time, 11
referred to Committee
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TO PROVIDE A PROCEDURE FOR PRIOR NOTIFICATION AND PUBLIC MEETINGS ON RATE CHANGES BY A UTILITY COMPANY OPERATING IN THIS STATE WHICH IS NOT GOVERNED BY THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION AS TO ITS RATES, AND PROVIDE FOR RELATED MATTERS.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. Any utility company operating in this State which is not governed by the South Carolina Public Service Commission as to its rates shall give notice of any proposed rate change at least ninety days before the change is proposed to take effect. The utility company must give such notice at least once a week during the ninety-day period in a newspaper of general circulation in the affected area. The utility company shall also advertise in such a newspaper, and shall hold, at least two public meetings on the proposed rate change so that persons affected thereby shall be able to express their opinions thereon or present any evidence or other factual information with respect thereto. Company officials must be available at the public meetings to answer questions or otherwise to provide responses to issues raised at the meetings. After the second public meeting required by this section has been held, the utility company shall review all responses, evidence, and other information received by it concerning the proposed rate change and shall re-evaluate the proposed change before any change is made effective. A rate change effectuated by any utility company failing to comply strictly with the provisions of this section is null and void.
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.