Senate Bill 2997

AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE GOVERNING AUTHORITIES OF THE TOWN OF RALEIGH IN SMITH COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI, TO EXPAND ITS GAS DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM WITHIN A CERTAIN DISTANCE OUTSIDE THE CORPORATE LIMITS OF THE CITY; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. (1) Notwithstanding any provisions of Section 21-27-39, Mississippi Code of 1972, to the contrary, the governing authorities of the Town of Raleigh in Smith County, Mississippi, in their discretion, may construct, expand, operate and maintain the gas distribution system of the town for a distance not to exceed six (6) miles from the corporate limits of the town. Whenever such gas utility service is furnished to any consumer residing outside the corporate limits of the town, the consumer may not be charged at a rate greater than twice the rate charged for the same service within the corporate limits of the city.

(2) The authority conferred by this act shall not be construed as an exemption from the provisions of Section 77-3-1 et seq., Mississippi Code of 1972, as to the requirements for obtaining a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity, the jurisdiction of the Public Service Commission to regulate rates or any other provisions of that law.

(3) The governing authorities of the Town of Raleigh shall make a reasonable effort to provide service to everyone within the distribution system who requests service. For the purpose of this subsection, the "system" shall mean all areas which are being served on the effective date of this act.

(4) The governing authorities of the Town of Raleigh shall annually have a financial report containing an audit of the natural gas distribution system filed with the State Auditor for his review. The financial statements shall be maintained in the office of the system for public inspection and shall be made available to the public during normal business hours.

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