The Florida Senate

367.0814  Rates and charges; requests for staff assistance in changing.--

(1)  The commission may establish rules by which a water or wastewater utility whose gross annual revenues are $150,000 or less may request and obtain staff assistance for the purpose of changing its rates and charges. A utility may request staff assistance by filing an application with the commission.

(2)  The official date of filing is established as 30 days after official acceptance by the commission of the application. If a utility does not remit a fee, as provided by s. 367.145, within 30 days after acceptance, the commission may deny the application. The commission has 15 months after the official date of filing within which to issue a final order.

(3)  The provisions of s. 367.081(1), (2)(a), and (3) shall apply in determining the utility's rates and charges.

(4)  The utility, in requesting staff assistance, shall agree to accept the final rates and charges approved by the commission unless the final rates and charges produce less revenue than the existing rates and charges.

(5)  In the event of a protest or appeal by a party other than the utility, the commission may provide for temporary rates subject to refund with interest.

(6)  If a utility becomes exempt from commission regulation or jurisdiction during the pendency of a staff-assisted rate case, the request for rate relief is deemed to have been withdrawn. Temporary rates, if previously approved, must be discontinued, and any money collected pursuant to the temporary rates must be refunded to the customers of the utility with interest.

(7)  The commission may by rule establish standards and procedures whereby rates and charges of small utilities may be set using criteria other than those set forth in s. 367.081(1), (2)(a), and (3).

History.--ss. 8, 27, ch. 89-353; s. 4, ch. 91-429.