House Bill 1023

AN ACT TO REQUIRE THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION TO REQUIRE ELECTRIC UTILITIES TO ESTABLISH A FARM RESIDENTIAL METER THAT MAY BE USED ON FARMS ON WHICH THE PROPERTY OWNER RESIDES; TO PROHIBIT ELECTRIC UTILITIES FROM CHARGING ON-DEMAND RATES FOR FARM RESIDENTIAL METER HOLDERS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. The Public Service Commission shall require electric utilities to establish a category of electrical meters to be known as "farm residential meters." A farm residential meter may be utilized, in the discretion of a property owner, on any tract of land used for farming or agricultural purposes upon which the property owner also resides. An electric utility must operate farm residential meters in the same manner as electrical meters located on residential property. The electric utility may not assess farm residential meter holders a rate for electricity which is different from the rate charged for residential ratepayers, and the utility may not assess on-demand rates for electricity used by farm residential meter holders.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2006.