House Bill 3160

Modifies period of suspension of proposed utility rate or schedule of rates pending investigation and determination from initial six-month period plus additional three-month period to single nine-month period. Extends period during which Public Utility Commission shall issue order on application to acquire public utility from within 19 business days of receiving application to 11 months. Permits commission to extend period to issue order <i>for up to four months for cause</i>]<b> by agreement between commission and applicant</b>. Requires water utility that applies for order designating area as exclusive service territory to include in application copy of notice of filing and to give notice within 30 days of filing application by <b>mail or</b> electronic mail to all customers of record of water utility in area described in application<b>,</b> <i>and</i>] by press release to news media local to area described in application<b> and by publication in one or more newspapers of general circulation in area described in application</b>. Requires notice to describe area of proposed exclusive service territory and general rate impact to existing customers. <i>Removes requirement that notice be published in local newspaper or newspapers of general circulation.</i>] Requires person providing utility service who contracts with another person providing similar utility service for purpose of allocating territories and customers to give notice of contract filed with Public Utility Commission by <b>mail or</b> electronic mail to all customers of record affected by contract<b>,</b> <i>and</i>] by press release to news media local to area affected by contract <b>and by publication in one or more newspapers of general circulation in area affected by contract</b>. Requires notice to describe area subject to contract and general rate impact to existing customers. <i>Removes requirement that notice be published in local newspaper or newspapers of general circulation.</i>] Requires person providing utility service in territory that applies for order allocating such territory to person to include in application copy of notice of filing and to give notice within 30 days of filing application by <b>mail or</b> electronic mail to all customers of record in area <i>described in</i>] <b>covered by</b> application<b>,</b> <i>and</i>] by press release to news media local to area <i>described in</i>] <b>covered by</b> application <b>and by publication in one or more newspapers of general circulation in area covered by application</b>. Requires notice to describe area and general rate impact to existing customers. <i>Removes requirement that notice be published in local newspaper or newspapers of general circulation.</i>].

In the House of Representatives

• Paul Holvey

  Sponsor

• House of Representatives, third reading59–0

  Passed · Mar 7 · 1 present

• Senate, third reading21–8

  Passed · Apr 24 · 1 present

• House of Representatives committee amendmentAdopted

  Adopted Feb 27

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In the House of Representatives Jan 31 – Mar 7

1. Jan 31Introduced
2. Feb 2Sent to Climate, Energy, and Environment
3. Feb 13Heard in Climate, Energy, and Environment
4. Feb 22Heard in Climate, Energy, and Environment
5. Feb 27Climate, Energy, and Environment recommended it as amended
6. Feb 28Read a second time
7. Mar 7Passed the House of Representatives, 59 to 0

In the Senate Mar 8 – Apr 24

1. Mar 8Arrived in the Senate
2. Mar 9Sent to Energy and Environment
3. Apr 6Heard in Energy and Environment
4. Apr 12Energy and Environment recommended it
5. Read a second time
6. Apr 24Passed the Senate, 21 to 8

To the Governor Apr 26 – May 16

1. Apr 26Signed in the House of Representatives
2. Apr 27Signed in the Senate
3. May 8Signed by the Governor
4. May 16Became chapter 53 of Oregon Laws 2023, in force from January 1, 2024