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Introduced Version House Bill 4587 History

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Key: Green = existing Code. Red = new code to be enacted

WEST virginia legislature

2020 regular session

Introduced

House Bill 4587

By Delegates D. Jeffries, C. Martin, Worrell, Cadle, Hamrick, Sypolt and Porterfield

[Introduced January 29, 2020; Referred to the Committee on Government Organization then the Judiciary]


A BILL to amend and reenact §24-2-4 and §24-2-4a of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; to amend said code by adding thereto a new section, designated §24-2-4e; to amend and reenact §24A-2-4 of said code; to amend and reenact §24A-5-2 of said code; to amend said code by adding thereto two new sections, designated §24A-5-2a and §24A-5-2b; and to amend and reenact §24A-6-1 of said code, all relating to the regulation of the collection, hauling, and disposal of solid waste by motor carriers; authorizing indexed automatic rate increases for solid waste disposal at landfills; authorizing indexed automatic rate increases for solid waste collection and hauling; authorizing rural rates for solid waste collection and hauling; authorizing multi-year contracts; setting procedures for the approval of rates; authorizing solid waste carriers to require pooling; and authorizing the Public Service Commission to promulgate rules.


Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:

Chapter 24. Public Service Commission.

Article 2. Powers and Duties of Public Service Commission.

§24-2-4. Procedure for changing rates.


No public utility subject to this chapter, except those utilities subject to the provisions of section four-b of this article and those utilities subject to the provisions of §24a-5-2a of this code, shall change, suspend or annul any rate, joint rate, charge, rental or classification except after 30 days' notice to the commission and the public, which notice shall plainly state the changes proposed to be made in the schedule then in force and the time when the changed rates or charges shall go into effect; but the commission may enter an order suspending the proposed rate as hereinafter provided. The proposed changes shall be shown by printing new schedules, or shall be plainly indicated upon the schedules in force at the time, and kept open to public inspection: Provided, That the commission may, in its discretion, and for good cause shown, allow changes upon less time than the notice herein specified, or may modify the requirements of this section in respect to publishing, posting and filing of tariffs, either by particular instructions or by general order.

Whenever there shall be filed with the commission any schedule stating a change in the rates or charges, or joint rates or charges, or stating a new individual or joint rate or charge or joint classification or any new individual or joint regulation or practice affecting any rate or charge, the commission shall have authority, either upon complaint or upon its own initiative without complaint, to enter upon a hearing concerning the propriety of such rate, charge, classification, regulation or practice; and, if the commission so orders, it may proceed without answer or other form of pleading by the interested parties, but upon reasonable notice, and, pending such hearing and the decision thereon, the commission, upon filing with such schedule and delivering to the public utility affected thereby a statement in writing of its reasons for such suspension, may suspend the operation of such schedule and defer the use of such rate, charge, classification, regulation or practice, but not for a longer period than 120 days beyond the time when such rate, charge, classification, regulation or practice would otherwise go into effect; and after full hearing, whether completed before or after the rate, charge, classification, regulation or practice goes into effect, the commission may make such order in reference to such rate, charge, classification, regulation or practice as would be proper in a proceeding initiated after the rate, charge, classification, regulation or practice had become effective: Provided, That if any such hearing and decision thereon cannot be concluded within the period of suspension, as above stated, such rate, charge, classification, regulation or practice shall go into effect at the end of such period. In such case the commission may require such public utility to enter into a bond in an amount deemed by the commission to be reasonable and conditioned for the refund to the persons or parties entitled thereto of the amount of the excess, plus interest at the rate of not less than seven percent per annum, as may be specified by the commission, if such rate so put into effect is subsequently determined to be higher than those finally fixed for such utility. In specifying the applicable interest rate, the commission shall be guided by the interest rate which such public utility would in all probability have to agree to pay if such public utility at that time borrowed in the marketplace a sum of money equivalent to the amount of money the commission estimates the increase in rates will produce between the effective date of such increase and the anticipated date the rates will be finally fixed for such public utility, it being intended that a public utility should be discouraged from imposing higher rates than it should reasonably anticipate will be finally fixed as a means in effect of borrowing money at a rate of interest less than such public utility would have to agree to pay if it borrowed money in the marketplace. No such accrued interest paid on any such refund shall be deemed part of the cost of doing business in a subsequent application for changing rates or any decision thereon. At any hearing involving a rate sought to be increased or involving the change of any fare, charge, classification, regulation or practice, the burden of proof to show that the increased rate or proposed increased rate, or the proposed change of fare, charge, classification, regulation or practice is just and reasonable shall be upon the public utility making application for such change. When in any case pending before the commission all evidence shall have been taken, and the hearing completed, the commission shall, within three months, render a decision in such case.

Where more than 20 members of the public are affected by a proposed change in rates, it shall be a sufficient notice to the public within the meaning of this section if such notice is published as a Class II legal advertisement in compliance with the provision of article three, chapter 59 of this code, and the publication area for such publication shall be the community where the majority of the resident members of the public affected by such change reside or, in case of nonresidents, have their principal place of business within this state. The provisions of this section shall expire on and be of no further force and effect after June 30, 1981, except that as to any case pending on said date in which the suspension period has expired and rates are in effect under bond such case shall be proceeded with in accordance with this section; as to any other case pending on said date, the commission shall treat the case as filed anew on July 1, 1981, except that it shall not be necessary for any new process or notice to be served or published.


§24-2-4a. Procedure for changing rates after June 30, 1981.


(a) After June 30, 1981, no public utility subject to this chapter, except for those entities subject to the provisions of §24a-5-2a of this code and water and/or sewer utilities that are political subdivisions of the state providing separate or combined services and having at least 4,500 customers and annual gross revenue of $3 million or more from its separate or combined services, shall change, suspend or annul any rate, joint rate, charge, rental or classification except after thirty days’ notice to the commission and the public, which notice shall plainly state the changes proposed to be made in the schedule then in force and the time when the changed rates or charges shall go into effect; but the commission may enter an order suspending the proposed rate as hereinafter provided. The proposed changes shall be shown by printing new schedules, or shall be plainly indicated upon the schedules in force at the time, and kept open to public inspection: Provided, That the commission may, in its discretion, and for good cause shown, allow changes upon less time than the notice herein specified, or may modify the requirements of this section in respect to publishing, posting and filing of tariffs, either by particular instructions or by general order.

(b) Whenever there shall be filed with the commission any schedule stating a change in the rates or charges, or joint rates or charges, or stating a new individual or joint rate or charge or joint classification or any new individual or joint regulation or practice affecting any rate or charge, the commission may, either upon complaint or upon its own initiative without complaint, enter upon a hearing concerning the propriety of such rate, charge, classification, regulation or practice; and, if the commission so orders, it may proceed without answer or other form of pleading by the interested parties, but upon reasonable notice, and, pending such hearing and the decisions thereon, the commission, upon filing with such schedule and delivering to the public utility affected thereby a statement in writing of its reasons for such suspension, may suspend the operation of such schedule and defer the use of such rate, charge, classification, regulation or practice, but not for a longer period than two hundred seventy days beyond the time when such rate, charge, classification, regulation or practice would otherwise go into effect; and after full hearing, whether completed before or after the rate, charge, classification, regulation or practice goes into effect, the commission may make such order in reference to such rate, charge, classification, regulation or practice as would be proper in a proceeding initiated after the rate, charge, classification, regulation or practice had become effective: Provided, That in the case of a public utility having two thousand five hundred customers or less and which is not a political subdivision and which is not principally owned by any other public utility corporation or public utility holding corporation, the commission may suspend the operation of such schedule and defer the use of such rate, charge, classification, regulation or practice, but not for a longer period than one hundred twenty days beyond the time when such rate, charge, classification, regulation or practice would otherwise go into effect; and in the case of a public utility having more than two thousand five hundred customers, but not more than five thousand customers, and which is not a political subdivision and which is not principally owned by any other public utility corporation or public utility holding corporation, the commission may suspend the operation of such schedule and defer the use of such rate, charge, classification, regulation or practice, but not for a longer period than one hundred fifty days beyond the time when such rate, charge, classification, regulation or practice would otherwise go into effect; and in the case of a public utility having more than five thousand customers, but not more than seven thousand five hundred customers, and which is not a political subdivision and which is not principally owned by any other public utility corporation or public utility holding corporation, the commission may suspend the operation of such schedule and defer the use of such rate, charge, classification, regulation or practice, but not for a longer period than one hundred eighty days beyond the time when such rate, charge, classification, regulation or practice would otherwise go into effect; and after full hearing, whether completed before or after the rate, charge, classification, regulation or practice goes into effect, the commission may make such order in reference to such rate, charge, classification, regulation or practice as would be proper in a proceeding initiated after the rate, charge, classification, regulation or practice had become effective: Provided, however, That, in the case of rates established or proposed that increase by less than twenty-five percent of the gross revenue of the regulated public service district, there shall be no suspension period in the case of rates established by a public service district pursuant to section nine, article thirteen-a, chapter sixteen of this code and the proposed rates of public service districts shall go into effect upon the date of filing with the commission, subject to refund modification at the conclusion of the commission proceeding. In the case of rates established or proposed that increase by more than twenty-five percent of the gross revenue of the public service district, the district may apply for, and the commission may grant, a waiver of the suspension period and allow rates to be effective upon the date of filing with the commission. The public service district shall provide notice by Class 1 legal advertisement in a newspaper of general circulation in its service territory of the percentage increase in rates at least fourteen days prior to the effective date of the increased rates. Any refund determined to be determined to be due and owing as a result of any difference between any final rates approved by the commission and the rates placed into effect subject to refund shall be refunded by the public service district as a credit against each customer's account for a period of up to six months after entry of the commission's final order. Any remaining balance which is not fully credited by credit within six months after entry of the commission's final order shall be directly refunded to the customer by check: Provided further, That if any such hearing and decision thereon is not concluded within the periods of suspension, as above stated, such rate, charge, classification, regulation or practice shall go into effect at the end of such period not subject to refund: And provided further, That if any such rate, charge, classification, regulation or practice goes into effect because of the failure of the commission to reach a decision, the same shall not preclude the commission from rendering a decision with respect thereto which would disapprove, reduce or modify any such proposed rate, charge, classification, regulation or practice, in whole or in part, but any such disapproval, reduction or modification shall not be deemed to require a refund to the customers of such utility as to any rate, charge, classification, regulation or practice so disapproved, reduced or modified. The fact of any rate, charge, classification, regulation or practice going into effect by reason of the commission's failure to act thereon shall not affect the commission's power and authority to subsequently act with respect to any such application or change in any rate, charge, classification, regulation or practice. Any rate, charge, classification, regulation or practice which shall be approved, disapproved, modified or changed, in whole or in part, by decision of the commission shall remain in effect as so approved, disapproved, modified or changed during the period or pendency of any subsequent hearing thereon or appeal therefrom. Orders of the commission affecting rates, charges, classifications, regulations or practices which have gone into effect automatically at the end of the of the suspension period are prospective in effect.

(c) At any hearing involving a rate sought to be increased or involving the change of any rate, charge, classification, regulation or practice, the burden of proof to show the justness and reasonableness of the increased rate or proposed increased rate, or the proposed change of rate, charge, classification, regulation or practice shall be upon the public utility making application for such change. The commission shall, whenever practicable and within budgetary constraints, conduct one or more public hearings within the area served by the public utility making application for such increase or change, for the purpose of obtaining comments and evidence on the matter from local ratepayers.

(d) Each public utility subject to the provisions of this section shall be required to establish, in a written report which shall be incorporated into each general rate case application, that it has thoroughly investigated and considered the emerging and state-of-the-art concepts in the utility management, rate design and conservation as reported by the commission under subsection (c), section one, article one of this chapter as alternatives to, or in mitigation of, any rate increase. The utility report shall contain as to each concept considered the reasons for adoption or rejection of each. When in any case pending before the commission all evidence shall have been taken and the hearing completed, the commission shall render a decision in such case. The failure of the commission to render a decision with respect to any such proposed change in any such rate, charge, classification, regulation or practice within the various time periods specified in this section after the application therefor shall constitute neglect of duty on the part of the commission and each member thereof.

(e) Where more than twenty members of the public are affected by a proposed change in rates, it shall be a sufficient notice to the public within the meaning of this section if such notice is published as a Class II legal advertisement in compliance with the provisions of article three, chapter fifty-nine of this code and the publication area for such publication shall be the community where the majority of the resident members of the public affected by such change reside or, in case of nonresidents, have their principal place of business within this state.

(f) The commission may order rates into effect subject to refund, plus interest in the discretion of the commission, in cases in which the commission determines that a temporary or interim rate increase is necessary for the utility to avoid financial distress, or in which the costs upon which these rates are based are subject to modification by the commission or another regulatory commission and to refund to the public utility. In such case the commission may require such public utility to enter into a bond in an amount deemed by the commission to be reasonable and conditioned upon the refund to the persons or parties entitled thereto of the amount of the excess if such rates so put into effect are subsequently determined to be higher than those finally fixed for such utility.

(g) No utility regulated under the provisions of this section may make application for a general rate increase while another general rate application is pending before the commission and not finally acted upon, except pursuant to the provisions of subsection (f) of this section. The provisions of this subsection shall not be construed so as to prohibit any such rate application from being made while a previous application which has been finally acted upon by the commission is pending before or upon appeal to the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeal.


§24-2-4e Landfill Operator Price Adjustment.


Notwithstanding any provision of this code to the contrary and effective July 1, 2020, landfill operators shall be permitted to increase rates for the disposal of solid waste on January 1, of each year without the filing of an application with the commission for approval of such increase and such increase shall be considered just and reasonable and not unfairly discriminatory, prejudicial or preferential if: (1) The landfill operator provides 30 days’ written notice to the commission, as well as notice to customers by a bill insert, post card, conspicuous posting at the landfill, or posting on the operator’s website or social media; and (2) the percentage of the increase over the prior rate is equal to or less than the percentage of any increase in the United States Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics Waste Sewer Trash Index (WST Index) from January 1, of the preceding year. Any rate increase that a landfill operator believes is at or below the aforementioned increase in the WST Index shall be identified as such when filed with the commission. Such rate increases shall be subject to challenge by the commission only if it determines that the increase is in fact in excess of the amount of the increase in the WST Index for the relevant time period. If the commission determines a rate increase filed pursuant to this subsection is in excess of the increase in the WST Index for the relevant time period, it may enter an order suspending the rate increase consistent with §24a-5-2a of this code. If such an order is entered, the motor carrier shall be entitled to a hearing pursuant to the process authorized in §24A-5-4a of this code.

Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, the fact that a landfill operator has already raised its rates pursuant to this subsection in a given year shall not preclude it from applying to and receiving from the commission a rate increase according to those processes set forth elsewhere in this code and the commission’s rules: Provided, That the commission may take into account the rate increase taken under this subsection when considering the landfill operator’s application to the commission to increase rates.


CHAPTER 24a. COMMERCIAL MOTOR CARRIERS.

ARTICLE 2. COMMON CARRIERS BY MOTOR VEHICLES.

§24A-2-4. Rates, fares and charges.


(a) All rates, fares and charges made by any common carrier by motor vehicle shall be just and reasonable, and shall not be unlawfully discriminatory, prejudicial nor preferential.  No such carrier shall charge, demand, collect, or receive a greater or less or different remuneration for the transportation of passengers or property, or for any service in connection therewith, than the rates, fares, and charges which have been legally established and filed with the commission; nor shall any such carrier refund, remit, discount or rebate in any manner or by any device any portion of the rates, fares, and charges required to be collected by the tariffs on file with or ordered by the commission.

(b) Notwithstanding any provision of this code to the contrary, effective July 1, 2020, motor carriers may enter into multi-year contracts with both commercial and residential customers for the collection and hauling of solid waste.


article 5. Powers and Duties of Commission.

§24A-5-2. Procedure for changing rates, etc.


(a) No motor carrier subject to this chapter shall change, suspend, or annul any individual rate, joint rate, fare, charge, or classification for the transportation of passengers or property except after 30 days' notice to the commission and the public, which notice shall plainly state the changes proposed to be made in the schedule then in force and the time when the changed rates or charges shall go into effect. The commission may enter an order suspending the proposed rate and prohibiting such motor carrier from putting such proposed new rate into effect pending the hearing and final decision of the matter, in which case the proposed new rate shall stand suspended until it is determined by the commission whether or not the same is just or reasonable. The proposed changes shall be shown by printing new schedules, or shall be plainly indicated upon the schedules in force at the time, and kept open to public inspection: Provided, however, That the commission may, in its discretion, and for good cause shown, allow changes upon less time than the notice herein specified, or may modify the requirements of this section in respect to publishing, posting and filing of tariffs, either by particular instructions or by general order.

(b) Whenever there shall be filed with the commission any schedule stating a change in the rates or charges, or joint rates or charges, or stating a new individual or joint rate or charge or joint classification or any new individual or joint regulation or practice affecting any rate or charge, the commission shall have authority, either upon complaint or upon its own initiative without complaint, to enter upon a hearing concerning the propriety of such rate, charge, classification, regulation or practice; and, if the commission so orders, it may proceed without answer or other form of pleading by the interested parties, but upon reasonable notice, and pending such hearing and the decision thereon the commission, upon filing with such schedule and delivering to the motor carrier affected thereby a statement in writing of its reasons for such suspension, may suspend the operation of such schedule and defer the use of such rate, charge, classification, regulation or practice, but not for a longer period than 120 days beyond the time when such rate, charge, classification, regulation or practice would otherwise go into effect; and after full hearing, whether completed before or after the rate, charge, classification, regulation, or practice goes into effect, the commission may make such order in reference to such rate, charge, classification, regulation or practice as would be proper in a proceeding initiated after the rate, charge, classification, regulation or practice had become effective: Provided, That if any such hearing cannot be conducted within the period of suspension, as above stated, the commission may in its discretion extend the time of suspension for a further period, not exceeding six months. At any hearing involving a rate sought to be increased or involving the change of any fare, charge, classification, regulation or practice, the burden of proof to show that the increased rate or proposed increased rate, or the proposed change of fare, charge, classification, regulation or practice, is just and reasonable, shall be upon the motor carrier making application for such change. When in any case pending before the commission all evidence shall have been taken, and the hearing completed, the commission shall, within three months, render a decision in such case.

(c) The commission shall prescribe such rules and regulations as to the giving of notice of a change in rates as are reasonable and are deemed proper in the public interest.

(d) Effective July 1, 2020, the rates and charges for the collection and hauling of solid waste by motor carriers under this article are no longer subject to the provisions of this section but are subject to the rate provisions of section two-a of this article.


§24A-5-2a. Procedure for changing rates for collection and hauling of solid waste by motor carriers; rural rates.


(a) Notwithstanding any provision of this code to the contrary, effective July 1, 2020, no solid waste motor carrier subject to this chapter shall change, suspend, or annul any individual rate, joint rate, fare, charge, or classification for the collection or hauling of solid waste, except after 30 days’ notice to the commission and the carrier’s customers, with such notice to customers being sent as a bill insert or separately mailed statement that plainly states the changes proposed to be made in the schedule then in force and the time when the changed rates or charges will go into effect.

(b) Any proposed rates changes shall be shown by printing new schedules, or shall be plainly indicated upon the schedules in force at the time, and kept open to public inspection: Provided, That the commission may, in its discretion, and for good cause shown, allow changes upon less time than the notice herein specified, or may modify the requirements of this section in respect to publishing, posting and filing of tariffs, either by particular instructions or by general order.

(c) Whenever a solid waste motor carrier shall file with the commission any schedule stating a change in the rates or charges, or joint rates or charges, or stating a new individual or joint rate or charge or joint classification or any new individual or joint regulation or practice affecting any rate or charge, except as set forth in subsection (d) below, the commission shall have authority, upon substantial protest demonstrated by the complaints submitted by lesser of:  (i) Twenty-five percent  of the customers impacted by the proposed change in rates or charges; or (ii) 750 customers impacted by the proposed change in rates or charges, to enter upon a hearing concerning the propriety of such rate, charge, classification, regulation or practice; and, if the commission so orders, it may proceed without answer or other form of pleading by the interested parties, but upon reasonable notice, and pending such hearing and the decision thereon the commission, upon filing with such schedule and delivering to the motor carrier affected thereby a statement in writing of its reasons for such suspension, may suspend the operation of such schedule and defer the use of such rate, charge, classification, regulation or practice; and after full hearing, whether completed before or after the rate, charge, classification, regulation, or practice goes into effect, the commission may make such order in reference to such rate, charge, classification, regulation or practice as would be proper in a proceeding initiated after the rate, charge, classification, regulation or practice had become effective. At any hearing involving a rate sought to be increased or involving the change of any fare, charge, classification, regulation or practice, the burden of proof to show that the increased rate or proposed increased rate, or the proposed change of fare, charge, classification, regulation or practice, is just and reasonable, shall be upon the motor carrier making application for such change. Any suspension of a rate, charge classification, regulation or practice under this subsection shall not extend beyond such time that a decision in the case is reached or a period of 60 days beyond the time when such rate, charge, classification, regulation or practice would otherwise go into effect, whichever is earlier. The hearing on any case held pursuant to this subsection shall be completed within 60 days of the schedule being filed with the commission and when all evidence shall have been taken, and the hearing completed, the commission shall, within 30 days, render a decision in such case or the rate shall automatically be approved. The commission may extend the time in which to complete a hearing by an additional 30 days if a motor carrier has failed to provide material information requested by the commission more than 30 days in advance of the hearing.

(d) Water Sewer Trash Index rate change Effective July 1, 2020, solid waste motor carriers shall be permitted to increase rates for the collection and/or hauling of solid waste once on January 1, of each year without the filing an application for approval by the commission and such increase shall be considered just and reasonable and not unfairly discriminatory, prejudicial or preferential if: (1) The carrier complies with the notice requirements of subsection (a) above; and (2) the percentage of the increase over the prior rate is equal to or less than the percentage of any increase in the United States Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics Waste Sewer Trash Index (WST Index) from January 1, of the preceding year. Any rate increase that a motor carrier believes is at or below the aforementioned increase in the WST Index shall be identified as such when filed with the commission. Such rate increases shall be subject to challenge by the commission only if it determines that the increase is in fact in excess of the amount of the increase in the WST Index for the relevant time period. If the commission determines a rate increase filed pursuant to this subsection is in excess of the increase in the WST Index for the relevant time period, it may enter an order suspending the rate increase consistent with subsection (c) above.  If such an order is entered, the motor carrier shall be entitled to a hearing pursuant to the process authorized in subsection (c) above. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, the fact that a solid waste motor carrier has already raised its rates in a given year pursuant to this subsection shall not preclude that carrier from applying for and receiving from the commission a rate increase pursuant to subsection (c) of this section: Provided, That the commission shall take into account the prior rate increase taken pursuant to this subsection when considering the carrier’s application to increase rates.

(e) The commission shall prescribe such rules and regulations as to the giving of notice of a change in rates pursuant to this section as are reasonable and are deemed proper in the public interest.


§24A-5-2b. Authorizing solid waste motor carriers to require certain customers to pool solid waste for collection.


Notwithstanding any provision of this code to the contrary, effective July 1, 2020, solid waste motor carriers servicing areas where road conditions or other circumstances pose a threat to the safety and security of motor carrier personnel and property may, for a period not to exceed 90 days, temporarily require customers in those areas to deliver their solid waste to a central location designated by the motor carrier for collection. No such designated central collection location shall be more than five miles from an affected customer. Solid waste motor carriers shall provide notice to affected customers of these designated central collection locations by means of a bill insert, separately mailed statement, or a posting on the carrier’s website or social media that plainly states the location of the central collection point, the reason or the need for the central collection point, and those circumstances that will trigger use of the central collection points or the period(s) of time they will be in use.  Any carrier that provides its customers notice consistent with the foregoing provisions and also provides advance notice to the commission shall not be considered in violation of the law, commission rules, or the obligations under its certificate as a result of the deviation from its standard collection practices authorized by this section and likewise shall not be subject to customer complaints based on the same. If a solid waste motor carrier wishes to extend  beyond 90 days the period in which customers must deliver their solid waste to a central location or impose such a requirement on customers that had been subject to such a requirement by the carrier within the preceding 12-month period, the carrier must first obtain permission from the commission after submitting a request in writing that provides a justification for the relief sought and that the commission must act upon such request within 14 days of receiving it. 


ARTICLE 6. DUTIES AND PRIVILEGES OF MOTOR CARRIERS SUBJECT TO REGULATION OF THE COMMISSION.

§24A-6-1. Adequate facilities; safety appliances; discontinuance or change; interchange of traffic; joint use of terminal facilities.


(a) Every motor carrier subject to this chapter shall establish and maintain adequate and suitable facilities, safety appliances, and other suitable appliances and shall perform such service in respect thereto as shall be reasonably safe and sufficient for the security and convenience of the public, and the safety and comfort of its employees and in all respects just and fair, and without any unjust discrimination or preference. Every motor carrier may be required by the commission to establish and maintain such suitable public service facilities and conveniences as may be reasonable and just. No motor carrier shall discontinue any regular passenger or other public service facility, or change any passenger schedule or timetable without first obtaining authority from the commission so to do, unless the same be done under uniform rules and regulations filed by such motor carrier with the public service commission and approved by said commission: Provided, That notwithstanding any provision of this code to the contrary, effective July 1, 2020, motor carriers may discontinue, without prior commission approval, solid waste collection and/or hauling services to a given area, as long as the carrier seeking to discontinue service first provides  90 days written notice to the commission and to its customers of its intent to discontinue service in the affected area and another motor carrier possessing one or more certificates of public convenience and necessity from the commission first consents to one of its certificates being modified by the commission to include the area in which the departing carrier is seeking to discontinue service at or below the same rates as the motor carrier discontinuing service; Provided, however, That such notice shall include the services to be discontinued, the area(s) to be affected by the discontinuance, the date of the proposed discontinuance of service and shall be made by one of the following: a bill insert, separately mailed statement or post card, or website or social media posting. All motor carriers subject to this chapter shall, according to their respective powers and facilities, afford all reasonable, proper, and equal facilities for the interchange of traffic between their respective lines, and for the receiving, forwarding, and delivery of passengers and property to and from their several lines, and those connecting therewith, including common carriers not subject to this chapter, and shall not discriminate in their rates and charges or methods or manner of service between such connecting lines. The commission may require such interchange of traffic and the joint use of terminal facilities as may be reasonable and just.

(b) The commission shall prescribe such rules and regulations as to the giving of notice of the discontinuance of solid waste collection and hauling pursuant to this section as are reasonable and are deemed proper in the public interest.


 

NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to modernize the Public Service Commission’s regulation of solid waste motor carriers and solid waste facilities.

Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from a heading or the present law and underscoring indicates new language that would be added.

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