Senate Bill 2592

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 19-31-51, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE THE NOTICE REQUIREMENTS WHICH SHALL BE GIVEN WHEN A PUBLIC UTILITY PETITIONS THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION FOR A CERTIFICATE OF PUBLIC CONVENIENCE AND NECESSITY FOR ANY UNCERTIFICATED AREA; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. Section 19-31-51, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

19-31-51. (1) No public improvement district established under this chapter shall provide any utility service described in Section 77-3-3(d) to or for the public for compensation without first obtaining a certificate of public convenience and necessity from the Public Service Commission.

(2) Nothing contained in this section shall prohibit the Public Service Commission from issuing a certificate of public convenience and necessity to any person for service in uncertificated areas within public improvement district boundaries.

(3) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, a public utility that petitions the Public Service Commission for a certificate of public convenience and necessity for any uncertificated area shall give * * * notice by publication of the filing of such petition. The notice shall be published not less than three (3) times in a newspaper in the county where the uncertificated area is located. If there is no newspaper published in the county, then the notice shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the uncertificated area. The notice shall give all interested parties instructions on how they may appear before the Public Service Commission and make any objections or otherwise participate as an interested party.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.