69-3-221. Public utility errors in billing customers. (1) For the purposes of this section:
(a) "public utility" does not include a municipal utility as defined in chapter 7 of this title;
(b) a "customer billing error":
(i) includes any bill issued by the utility that is not designated as an estimated bill and that understates the amount owed by the customer;
(ii) includes a utility's failure to bill a customer for service provided that would be billed to the customer under the utility's normal billing practices;
(iii) excludes errors that result from the theft of service by the customer;
(iv) excludes errors involving a utility's industrial class customers; and
(v) excludes errors incurred in the billing of long-distance services by a telecommunications utility.
(2) Whenever a public utility discovers a customer billing error, the utility may submit a bill to the customer for a period not to exceed the 6 months preceding the date the billing error is discovered.
(3) The commission may adopt rules to implement subsections (1) and (2).
History: En. Secs. 1, 2, Ch. 587, L. 1985.
Structure Montana Code Annotated
Title 69. Public Utilities and Carriers
Chapter 3. Regulation of Utilities
Part 2. Requirements for Public Utilities
69-3-201. Utilities to provide adequate service at reasonable charges
69-3-202. Records of public utilities
69-3-203. Annual report to commission
69-3-204. Fees to be charged by commission
69-3-205. Verification of reports and other papers
69-3-206. Penalty for failure to make reports or permit examinations
69-3-207. Penalty for violation of natural gas pipeline safety provisions and regulations
69-3-208. Effect of failure by utility to cooperate with commission
69-3-209. Violations of public utility laws or orders
69-3-210. through 69-3-220 reserved
69-3-221. Public utility errors in billing customers
69-3-222. Utility disclosure required -- definition