40-256. Time periods for rate decisions; calculation; simplified filing rules; interim rates and charges; definitions
A. From the date on which a utility's rate filing is determined to be sufficient in accordance with this section, the commission shall issue a decision establishing rates and charges for service within the following time periods:
1. For class 1 utilities, within two hundred seventy days.
2. For class 2 utilities, within one hundred eighty days.
B. For the purposes of calculating the time periods prescribed in subsection A, a rate filing shall be deemed sufficient if it substantially complies with the commission's rules governing the filing requirements for applications for increased rates or charges for utility service. The utilities division shall review each rate filing to ascertain whether it substantially complies with the applicable rules and shall submit its findings to the commission not more than thirty days after the date of the rate filing. If it is determined that a rate filing does not substantially comply with the applicable rules, the utilities division shall notify the utility, in writing, of the basis for its determination to allow the utility to cure its filing. If this written notice is not provided within thirty days after the date of the utility's rate filing, the rate filing is presumed to be in substantial compliance with the applicable rules and the applicable time period established in subsection A begins. If any deficiencies in the rate filing are identified and written notice is given to the utility, the applicable time period begins on the date the rate filing is amended to cure the deficiencies.
C. On the motion of any party to the contested case proceedings relating to the rate filing or on its own motion, the commission may determine that an extraordinary event that would substantially alter the relief requested in the utility's rate filing has occurred. If such a determination is made, the time period prescribed in subsection A begins again from the date of the determination.
D. To expedite the issuance of final decisions and to minimize the fees and expenses incurred by utilities, the commission shall promptly adopt rules providing for simplified filing requirements and procedures for rate filings by utilities whose annual operating revenues do not exceed two hundred fifty thousand dollars.
E. If a decision in the rate filing has not been issued within the required time period, the commission shall provide that the utility may implement reasonable modifications to rates and charges based on those proposed in the rate filing, on an interim basis, and subject to refund, pending the issuance of a final decision. Notice of the implementation shall be given by keeping open for public inspection new schedules stating the modifications to be made in the schedules then in force and by mailing a written notice to all customers of the utility advising them of the modifications at least thirty days before the effective date of the modifications. Any party to the contested case proceedings relating to the rate filing, including the utilities division, or the commission on its own motion may request that a hearing be scheduled for the limited purpose of determining whether the utility should be required to file a bond approved by the commission in such amount and with sufficient security to ensure prompt payment of any refunds to the persons entitled to them, including an interest rate of not more than the maximum interest otherwise allowed by law, if the modified rates or charges placed into effect are finally determined by the commission to be excessive. The utility may substitute for the bond other arrangements satisfactory to the commission for the protection of the parties involved.
F. For purposes of this section:
1. " Annual operating revenues" means gross utility operating revenues derived from a utility's jurisdictional operations, including the requested rate relief.
2. " Class 1 utility" means a utility with annual operating revenues of one million dollars or more.
3. " Class 2 utility" means a utility with annual operating revenues of less than one million dollars.
4. " Combination utility" means a utility that provides more than one of the commodities or services in paragraph 7. For combination utilities, departmental operating revenues shall be used for classification purposes.
5. " Decision" means a final order, decision or determination of the commission that disposes of all issues involved in all parts or phases of the proceedings before the agency concerning a rate filing.
6. " Rate filing" means an application filed by a utility for the permanent modification to any rate or charge for service requiring the commission to determine the fair value of the utility's jurisdictional property used for the provision of utility service and the rate of return.
7. " Utility" means a public service corporation that is engaged in supplying electric, gas, telephone, water or sewer utility service in this state and that is subject to the jurisdiction of the commission.
Structure Arizona Revised Statutes
Title 40 - Public Utilities and Carriers
§ 40-101 - Interest of commissioner or employee prohibited in corporation subject to regulation
§ 40-103 - Corporation commission seal
§ 40-105 - Executive director; appointment; powers and duties
§ 40-108 - Compensation of appointees and employees
§ 40-109 - Salaries and expenses of corporation commissioners
§ 40-110 - Consumer services section
§ 40-112 - Fees for certification and duplication
§ 40-205 - Regulation of commercial flight operators by commission prohibited; definitions
§ 40-206 - Exemption of motor carriers
§ 40-209 - Franchises; electric generation suppliers; limitations
§ 40-210 - Contractors; requirements; prohibition; definition
§ 40-211 - Public service corporations; electronic filings
§ 40-212 - Internet protocol services; definitions
§ 40-213 - Electric charging providers; fees; definition
§ 40-222 - Depreciation accounting
§ 40-242 - Production of records kept without state
§ 40-247 - Hearing; process to witnesses; report of proceedings; decision; service of order
§ 40-248 - Reparation of overcharge; action to recover overcharge; limitations
§ 40-249 - Complaint by public service corporation; hearing
§ 40-253 - Application for rehearing; hearing; effect; decision
§ 40-254.01 - Action to set aside or modify certain commission orders; limitation; court of appeals
§ 40-255 - Precedence of actions
§ 40-282 - Application for certificate; hearing; application upon contemplated franchise
§ 40-283 - Transmission lines; use of public streets for utility right-of-way; notice; election
§ 40-284 - Restrictions upon conduct of public service business by foreign corporations
§ 40-286 - Exemption from antitrust statutes
§ 40-287 - Value of certificated area
§ 40-301 - Issuance of stocks and bonds; authorized purposes
§ 40-324 - Power of commission to order changes in service to insure adequate service by railroad
§ 40-325 - Power of commission to order physical connection between railroad companies
§ 40-326 - Duty of railroad company to make connection with track of private shipper; conditions
§ 40-328 - Duty of telephone and telegraph companies to handle messages of connecting companies
§ 40-336 - Power of commission to require safety devices
§ 40-337 - Power of commission over railway crossings
§ 40-337.02 - Allocation of funds for automatic warning signals at railway crossings
§ 40-337.03 - Determination of location of automatic warning signals
§ 40-338 - Accidents on property of public service corporations; investigation; report
§ 40-339 - Refusal of common carrier to receive or carry passenger; classification
§ 40-340 - Emergency telephone numbers; use; restrictions
§ 40-342 - Petitions of owners for cost study establishing an underground conversion service area
§ 40-344 - Hearing on petition; notice
§ 40-345 - Procedure for making and hearing protests and objections and withdrawing signatures
§ 40-347 - Establishment of conversion costs; apportionment of costs; method of payment
§ 40-349 - Permit or easement for conversion of service lines to be furnished by owner
§ 40-351 - Sale of property to satisfy lien
§ 40-353 - Application of article; reinstallation of overhead facilities prohibited
§ 40-355 - Franchises, charters and ordinances of local governments not affected
§ 40-360.01 - Organization and membership of the committee
§ 40-360.02 - Plans; filing; failure to comply; classification
§ 40-360.03 - Applications prior to construction of facilities
§ 40-360.04 - Hearings; procedures
§ 40-360.05 - Parties to certification proceedings
§ 40-360.06 - Factors to be considered in issuing a certificate of environmental compatibility
§ 40-360.07 - Compliance by utility; commission order
§ 40-360.09 - Filing fees; utility siting fund
§ 40-360.10 - Expenditure of funds
§ 40-360.11 - Jurisdiction of courts
§ 40-360.12 - Jurisdiction of the commission
§ 40-360.24 - Notice of damage to underground facility
§ 40-360.25 - Injunction; mandamus
§ 40-360.26 - Damage of underground facility; liability to owner; homeowner and tenant exemption
§ 40-360.27 - Liability for attorney fees; administrative costs and expenses
§ 40-360.28 - Civil penalty; liability
§ 40-360.29 - Charters and ordinances of governments not affected; preemption
§ 40-360.30 - Installation records of underground facilities
§ 40-360.31 - Routine road maintenance; prior notification
§ 40-360.32 - One-call notification center membership; termination; designated representatives
§ 40-360.42 - Activity near overhead line; safety restrictions
§ 40-360.44 - Violation; civil penalty
§ 40-360.53 - Utility facilities included in municipal and county plans
§ 40-360.54 - Effect on existing rights
§ 40-362 - Power of commission to investigate interstate rates
§ 40-365 - Filing of rate schedules by public service corporations
§ 40-367 - Changes of rates; notice; filing; exception
§ 40-368 - Sliding scale of charges
§ 40-370 - Water utility surcharges to recover operating costs; notice; definition
§ 40-372 - Street railways; fares; transfers
§ 40-373 - Permitting or obtaining transportation at less than schedule rates prohibited
§ 40-374 - Prohibition of rebates and agreements
§ 40-375 - Fraudulent means or attempts to obtain rebate or damage prohibited
§ 40-376 - Payment responsibility; private water companies; sewer corporations
§ 40-402 - Findings of fact defined
§ 40-403 - Objection to statement of assessment; hearing; notice of findings; compliance by company
§ 40-404 - Making of objection to assessment as condition of action to recover assessment paid
§ 40-406 - Exclusive procedure to determine legality of assessments and to recover assessments paid
§ 40-407 - Enforcement of payment; seizure and sale of property
§ 40-421 - Enforcement of laws relating to public service corporations
§ 40-424 - Contempt of corporation commission; penalty
§ 40-428 - Cumulative nature of penalties
§ 40-429 - Actions to recover penalties; venue
§ 40-430 - Limitations on requiring bond of employees by common carrier; violation; classification
§ 40-441 - Commission safety regulations, rules and orders; definitions
§ 40-442 - Civil penalty for violation; deduction; other remedies
§ 40-462 - Residential utility consumer office; director
§ 40-492 - Tampering with a utility; civil action
§ 40-493 - Damages; costs; attorney fees
§ 40-494 - Presumption of violation
§ 40-495 - Excess damages considered in establishing rates
§ 40-801 - Stock subscription required to form railroad corporation
§ 40-802 - Articles of incorporation
§ 40-805 - Records required to be kept by secretary
§ 40-807 - Certification by president and secretary of paid-in capital stock
§ 40-808 - General powers of railroad corporations
§ 40-809 - Specific powers of railroad corporations
§ 40-811 - Contracting debt exceeding means of corporation to pay; classification; validity of debt
§ 40-813 - Organization of new corporation on sale at foreclosure; powers
§ 40-814 - Duty of railroads to transport; liability for failure; exceptions
§ 40-831 - Right of way through public lands; appropriation of water
§ 40-832 - Right of way through lands of persons under disability
§ 40-841 - Duty of commission to prescribe standards of safety and safety devices
§ 40-842 - Service of complaint; answer; hearing; intervention
§ 40-844 - Enforcement of article; compliance with commission regulations and orders
§ 40-845 - Violation; penalty; action to collect penalty
§ 40-846 - Electric headlights; violation; penalty
§ 40-847 - Bells on locomotives; violation; penalties
§ 40-848 - Automatic bell ringer required; violation; classification
§ 40-852 - Allowing engine or car to remain upon public crossing; classification
§ 40-854 - Failure to warn at public crossing; classification
§ 40-855 - Violation of duty by railroad officer or employee; classification
§ 40-856 - Railroad police; powers; qualifications; liability of company
§ 40-881 - Train crew requirements
§ 40-882 - Train crews; penalty for violation of full crew requirements
§ 40-883 - Exceptions to full crew requirements
§ 40-884 - Train dispatcher; age and experience; violation; classification
§ 40-1001 - Unclaimed freight or baggage
§ 40-1002 - Sale; notice; posting and publication
§ 40-1003 - Inspection; record of sale
§ 40-1004 - Proceeds of sale; disposition
§ 40-1005 - Perishable freight or baggage
§ 40-1112 - Qualifying bodies which may form authority; purposes
§ 40-1113 - Procedures required to organize an authority
§ 40-1114 - Authority subject to law and regulations; nonprofit status
§ 40-1115 - Inclusion of additional areas
§ 40-1116 - Judicial review of action of municipality or county
§ 40-1117 - Condemnation privilege
§ 40-1118 - Exemption from taxation
§ 40-1122 - Powers and duties of the board
§ 40-1123 - Officers and employees of authority
§ 40-1124 - General powers of an authority
§ 40-1125 - Cooperation with state or other agencies
§ 40-1126 - Cooperation with federal government
§ 40-1128 - Dissolution of authority
§ 40-1132 - Power to secure bonds; reimbursement for advance
§ 40-1133 - Provision of bond resolution; covenants
§ 40-1135 - Prior lien of bonds
§ 40-1136 - Bond obligations of the metropolitan public transit authority
§ 40-1137 - Bonds as legal investments
§ 40-1138 - Limitation on indebtedness
§ 40-1140 - Hearing on estimates; adoption of proposed budget
§ 40-1141 - Metropolitan public transit authority levy
§ 40-1142 - Investment of funds by board
§ 40-1143 - Bids required by board; exception
§ 40-1144 - Claims against the authority
§ 40-1146 - Certification of bonds and approval of contracts by attorney general
§ 40-1203 - Establishment of specifications for certification of intermittent ignition devices
§ 40-1204 - Duty of commission to notify affected manufacturers