Utility rates; review by court

13-431. Utility rates; review by court. To prescribe and fix maximum rates and charges, and regulate the collection of the same, for all water, electric light, heat, power, gas, telephone service or any other commodity or service furnished to such city or to any of the inhabitants thereof by any person or corporation now authorized by such city by virtue of a franchise ordinance or laws of this state, or that may hereafter be authorized by virtue of a franchise ordinance or laws of this state to furnish water, electric light, heat, power, gas or telephone service, or any other commodity or service, to such city or to its inhabitants. The rates and charges so prescribed shall at all times be reasonable and just; and if any city shall fix unreasonable and unjust rates and charges, the same may, at the instance of any producer or consumer, be reviewed and determined by the district court of the county in which such city is situated. History: R.S. 1923, § 13-431; December 27. Source or prior law: L. 1903, ch. 122, § 51; L. 1907, ch. 114, § 57. Cross References to Related Sections: See also chapter 13, article 12. CASE ANNOTATIONS 1. Section considered in determining jurisdiction over public utility. The State, ex rel., v. Gas Co., 88 Kan. 165, 172, 127 P. 639. Affirmed: Wyandotte Gas Co. v. Kansas, 231 U.S. 622, 34 S. Ct. 226, 58 L. Ed. 404. 2. Authority of city to fix rates for gas considered. The State, ex rel., v. Gas Co., 88 Kan. 165, 172, 127 P. 639. Affirmed: Wyandotte Gas Co. v. Kansas, 231 U.S. 622, 34 S. Ct. 226, 58 L. Ed. 404. 3. City cannot, by contract, divest itself of duties concerning rates. Wyandotte Gas Co. v. Kansas, 231 U.S. 622, 34 S. Ct. 226, 58 L. Ed. 404. 4. Public utilities commission has no jurisdiction where operation principally in city. Wichita Water Co. v. Public Service Comm., 126 Kan. 381, 268 P. 89. Previous | Next LEGISLATIVE COORDINATING COUNCIL General Policies 2026 Archived LCC Documents Archived LCC Meetings REVISOR OF STATUTES Archived Session Documents Archived School Finance Documents USEFUL LINKS Session Laws Kansas Administrative Regulations OTHER LEGISLATIVE SITES Kansas Legislature Administrative Services Division of Post Audit Research Department Contact Us PDF Help www.ksrevisor.gov 2026