Public Hearings

Public Hearings. The Commission shall hold public hearings on any change in proposed rates or charges. (a) The notice of public hearing herein provided for shall plainly state the rates, charges, or assessment costs proposed to be established, abandoned, modified, or departed from, and the proposed effective date thereof. (b) No hearing shall be held unless a notice of the hearing, with the purpose stated thereof and the date, time, and place at which it will be held has been advertised not less than once in each of three consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the Commonwealth, the first publication being not more than twenty-one days before the scheduled hearing and the last publication being not less than two days before the scheduled hearing. The Commission may use additional media such as radio or television to advise the public if it finds it necessary to do so. (c) The entity shall notify its customers of the proposed change in rates in the normal billing process not less than three weeks before the date set for the public hearing. (d) All costs for public notice shall be borne by the entity requesting the rate increase or modification. Source: PL 12-39, § 1(b) (8306), modified; repealed and reenacted by PL 15-35, § 2 (8418), modified. Commission Comment: The Commission deleted figures that were mere repetitions of words in subsections (b) and (c) above pursuant to its authority by 1 CMC § 3806.