A Class D utility may change rates only by following the listed rate-adjustment procedures and notice requirements.
Sec. 13.1872. CLASS D UTILITIES: RATE ADJUSTMENT. (a) This section applies only to a Class D utility. (b) Repealed by Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 967 (S.B. 700), Sec. 14, eff. September 1, 2019. (c) A utility may not make changes in its rates except by: (1) filing an application for a rate adjustment under the procedures described by Subsection (e) and sending by mail, or by e-mail if the ratepayer has agreed to receive communications electronically, a notice to each ratepayer describing the proposed rate adjustment at least 30 days before the effective date of the proposed change; or (2) complying with the procedures to change rates described by Section 13.1871. (c-1) A utility that chooses to comply with Section 13.1871 as authorized under Subsection (c)(2) of this section may send the notice required by Section 13.1871(n) by mail or e-mail or may deliver a copy of the notice to the ratepayers. (d) The utility shall mail, send by e-mail, or deliver a copy of the application to the appropriate offices of each affected municipality and to any other affected persons as required by the regulatory authority's rules. (e) The utility commission by rule shall adopt procedures to allow a utility to receive without a hearing an annual rate adjustment. The rules must: (1) include standard language to be included in the notice described by Subsection (c)(1) describing the rate adjustment process; and (2) provide that an annual rate adjustment described by this section may not result in a rate increase to any class or category of ratepayer of more than five percent. (f) A utility may adjust the utility's rates using the procedures adopted under Subsection (e) not more than once each year and not more than four times between rate proceedings described by Section 13.1871. Added by Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 170 (H.B. 1600), Sec. 2.40, eff. September 1, 2013. Added by Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 171 (S.B. 567), Sec. 40, eff. September 1, 2013. Amended by: Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 967 (S.B. 700), Sec. 8, eff. September 1, 2019. Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 967 (S.B. 700), Sec. 9, eff. September 1, 2019. Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 967 (S.B. 700), Sec. 14, eff. September 1, 2019.