reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
WI Stat § 196.81 (2021)
2021 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations|Chapter 196 - Regulation of public utilities.|196.81 - Abandonment; commission approval required.

196.81  Abandonment; commission approval required. (1) No public utility may abandon or discontinue any line or extension or service thereon without first securing the approval of the commission. In granting its approval, the commission may impose any term, condition or requirement it deems necessary to protect the public interest. If a public utility abandons or discontinues a line or extension or service thereon upon receiving commission approval, the public utility shall be deemed to have waived any objection to any term, condition or requirement imposed by the commission in granting the approval. (2) The commission may not approve a request by an electric or telecommunications utility to abandon a right-of-way, unless the commission requires the public utility to remove any pole at ground level from the right-of-way and any other structure which extends more than 3 feet above ground level and which belongs to the utility at the time of abandonment. If the commission approves a request under this section it shall require any part of the abandoned right-of-way which is in a rural area and which was obtained by the utility by condemnation to be disposed of by the utility within 3 years from the date of approval. The commission may rescind the disposal requirement if the utility applies for rescission within 6 months prior to the end of the 3-year period and if the commission finds that the requirement would subject the utility to undue hardship. (3) This section does not apply to any of the following:(a) A service discontinuance by a public utility that is a telecommunications provider. (b) A public utility's removal, at the request of a customer, of the customer's electric service drop or electric, natural gas, or steam service lateral, including any primary voltage or natural gas or steam line that is used exclusively to serve the customer requesting the removal. History:  1973 c. 157; 1977 c. 29, 203, 418; 1983 a. 53; 1985 a. 297; 1993 a. 496; 2011 a. 22, 155; 2013 a. 300.
WI Stat § 196.84 (2021)
2021 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations|Chapter 196 - Regulation of public utilities.|196.84 - Commission's holding company and nonutility affiliate regulation costs.

196.84  Commission's holding company and nonutility affiliate regulation costs. Under rules promulgated by the commission, a holding company, as defined in s. 196.795 (1) (h) or a nonutility affiliate, as defined under s. 196.795 (1) (j), shall compensate the commission for the cost of any increase in regulation of any public utility affiliate, as defined under s. 196.795 (1) (L), which is with the holding company or nonutility affiliate in a holding company system as defined in s. 196.795 (1) (i), if the commission determines that the increase is reasonably required in order for the commission to implement and enforce s. 196.795. Such compensation may not be recovered directly or indirectly from any public utility affiliate. The commission shall assess such compensation using the procedure prescribed in s. 196.85, except that no advance payment of a remainder assessment under s. 196.85 (2) may be required for the first 2 fiscal years after November 28, 1985. No assessment may be made under this section against any holding company or nonutility affiliate for any time worked by any person under s. 196.795 (10m) if the time is properly assessable for utility regulation under s. 196.85. For the purpose of calculating cost increases under this section, 90 percent of the cost increases determined shall be costs of the commission and 10 percent of the cost increases determined shall be costs of state government operations.History:  1985 a. 79; 1991 a. 269.
WI Stat § 196.855 (2021)
2021 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations|Chapter 196 - Regulation of public utilities.|196.855 - Assessment of costs against municipalities.

196.855  Assessment of costs against municipalities. Any expense incurred by the commission in making any appraisal or investigation of public utility property under ch. 197 shall be charged directly to the municipality making the application. The commission shall ascertain the expense, and shall render and review any bill under s. 196.85 insofar as applicable. For the purpose of calculating the expense, 90 percent of the costs determined shall be costs of the commission and 10 percent of the costs determined shall be costs of state government operations. If a bill under this section is not paid within the time required by s. 196.85, the bill shall bear interest at the rate of 6 percent per year and the amount of the bill and the interest shall be certified to the department of administration and shall be levied and collected as a special charge in the same manner as a state tax.History:  1979 c. 110 s. 60 (13); 1983 a. 53; 1991 a. 269.
WI Stat § 196.858 (2021)
2021 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations|Chapter 196 - Regulation of public utilities.|196.858 - Assessment for telephone relay service.

196.858  Assessment for telephone relay service. (1) The commission shall annually assess against local exchange and interexchange telecommunications utilities the total, not to exceed $5,000,000, of the amounts appropriated under s. 20.155 (1) (i). (2) The commission shall assess a sum equal to the annual total amount under sub. (1) to local exchange and interexchange telecommunications utilities in proportion to their gross operating revenues during the last calendar year. If total expenditures for telecommunications relay service exceeded the payment made under this section in the prior year, the commission shall charge the remainder to assessed telecommunications utilities in proportion to their gross operating revenues during the last calendar year. A telecommunications utility shall pay the assessment within 30 days after the bill has been mailed to the assessed telecommunication utility. The bill constitutes notice of the assessment and demand of payment. Payments shall be credited to the appropriation account under s. 20.155 (1) (i). (3) Section 196.85 (3) to (8), as it applies to assessments under s. 196.85 (1) or (2), applies to assessments under this section. (5) A telecommunications utility may not recover the assessment under this section by billing a customer for the assessment on a separate line in a billing statement.History:  1989 a. 336; 1991 a. 39; 2001 a. 16; 2003 a. 33; 2017 a. 59.
WI Stat § 196.859 (2021)
2021 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations|Chapter 196 - Regulation of public utilities.|196.859 - Assessment for telecommunications utility trade practices.

196.859  Assessment for telecommunications utility trade practices. (1) The commission shall annually assess against telecommunications utilities the total of the amount appropriated under s. 20.115 (1) (jm). (2) The commission shall assess a sum equal to the annual total amount under sub. (1) to telecommunications utilities in proportion to their gross operating revenues during the last calendar year. A telecommunications utility shall pay the assessment within 30 days after the bill has been mailed to the assessed telecommunications utility. The bill constitutes notice of the assessment and demand of payment. Payments shall be credited to the appropriation account under s. 20.115 (1) (jm). (3) Section 196.85 (3) to (8), as it applies to assessments under s. 196.85 (1) or (2), applies to assessments under this section. (4) A telecommunications utility may not recover the assessment under this section by billing a customer for the assessment on a separate line in a billing statement. History:  2009 a. 28.
WI Stat § 196.86 (2021)
2021 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations|Chapter 196 - Regulation of public utilities.|196.86 - Assessments for air quality improvement program.

196.86  Assessments for air quality improvement program. (1) In this section:(a) “Department" means the department of natural resources.(b) “Electric public utility affiliate" means a public utility affiliate, as defined in s. 196.795 (1) (L), that sells electricity in this state and owns electric generating facilities in the transmission area.(c) “Heat throughput ratio" means the result obtained by dividing the total heat throughput of all electric generating facilities that use fossil fuel of an individual electric public utility affiliate by the total heat throughput of all electric generating facilities that use fossil fuel of all electric public utility affiliates.(d) “Initial compliance date" means the date specified in a notice by the department of natural resources under s. 285.48 (2) by which electric generating facilities in the midcontinent area of this state are required to comply with initial nitrogen oxide emission reduction requirements.(e) “Midcontinent area" has the meaning given in s. 16.958 (1) (e).(f) “Transmission area" has the meaning given in s. 196.485 (1) (g). (2) If the department of natural resources makes a notification to the commission under s. 285.48 (2), the commission shall assess against electric public utility affiliates a total of $2,400,000, or a decreased amount specified in a notice by the department of natural resources under s. 285.48 (3) (d) 3., in each fiscal year of the 10-year period that commences on July 1 of the fiscal year ending before the initial compliance date. An assessment in a fiscal year against an electric public utility affiliate under this subsection shall be in an amount that is proportionate to the electric public utility affiliate's heat throughput ratio for the prior fiscal year. (3) An electric public utility affiliate shall pay an assessment required under sub. (2) within 30 days after the commission has mailed a bill for the assessment. The bill constitutes notice of the assessment and demand of payment. Payments shall be deposited in the air quality improvement fund. (4) Section 196.85 (3) to (8), as it applies to assessments under s. 196.85 (1) or (2), applies to assessments under this section.History:  1999 a. 9, 75, 185.
WI Stat § 196.91 (2021)
2021 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations|Chapter 196 - Regulation of public utilities.|196.91 - Acquisition of existing dams.

196.91  Acquisition of existing dams. (1) Except as provided under s. 196.92 (3) (c), every domestic corporation lawfully engaged in the business of producing, transmitting, delivering or furnishing heat, light, water or power to or for the public may acquire, for the purpose of developing power and generating energy for public use in the business:(a) Any dam in or across any navigable waters of this state.(b) All flowage and other rights and property necessary to the maintenance of any dam under par. (a).(c) Any undeveloped water power or dam site upon any navigable waters within this state, except as provided under sub. (2). (2) No award in any condemnation proceedings authorized by sub. (1) shall be effective, and no corporation may purchase or otherwise acquire any property under sub. (1) until it obtains from the commission a certificate that public convenience and necessity require the acquisition of the property, at the amount fixed by the award or agreed upon with the owner of the property.History:  1983 a. 53; 1985 a. 187.
WI Stat § 196.92 (2021)
2021 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations|Chapter 196 - Regulation of public utilities.|196.92 - Procedure for acquiring dams.

196.92  Procedure for acquiring dams. (1) If a corporation under s. 196.91 (1) desires to purchase or acquire any property under s. 196.91, the corporation shall apply to the commission for a certificate of public convenience and necessity. The application shall state:(a) The name of any owner of the property sought to be acquired.(b) The business in connection with which it is desired to utilize the property.(c) The specific public purpose for which it is proposed to use the property.(d) The compensation or price to be paid for the property.(e) A statement to the effect that the corporation agrees to cancel all contracts for the sale of hydroelectric power outside this state, if the commission finds that the contract interferes with adequate service and reasonable rates to the people of this state.(f) Any other information the commission requires. (2) If the commission receives an application under sub. (1), the commission shall fix a convenient time and place for a public hearing on the application. The time may not be more than 8 weeks from the date of filing the application. The commission shall give notice of the time and place to the applicant. Prior to the hearing the applicant shall publish the time and place as a class 3 notice, under ch. 985. Not less than 20 days prior to that date, the applicant shall serve notice of the hearing upon any owner of the property personally, or by registered mail, if the post-office address of the owner, by due diligence, can be ascertained. Proof of the publication and service of the notice shall be filed with the commission. (3) (a) At a hearing under this section or any adjournment of the hearing, the commission shall consider the application and shall receive the evidence offered by the applicant and any other person for or against the application.(b) The commission may issue a certificate that public convenience and necessity require the utilization of the property as proposed by the applicant if the commission finds that:1. The acquisition and use of the property in connection with the business of the applicant for the purpose or purposes and at the price or compensation set forth in the application would be a public convenience;2. The applicant possesses the financial ability to utilize the property for its proposed purpose; and3. Public necessity requires the proposed acquisition and use.(c) Section 196.91 shall not apply to the acquisition of flowage rights necessary for the improvement or development of dams or dam sites previously acquired.History:  1983 a. 53 ss. 109 to 111, 113.
WI Stat § 197.01 (2021)
2021 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations|Chapter 197 - Municipal acquisition of utilities.|197.01 - Municipalities, powers under utility law.

197.01  Municipalities, powers under utility law. (1) Any municipality shall have the power, subject to ch. 196 and this chapter, to construct and operate a plant and equipment or any part thereof for the production, transmission, delivery or furnishing of heat, light, water or power, or to acquire, construct and operate a toll bridge. (2) Any municipality shall have the power, subject to ch. 196 and this chapter, to purchase any public utility or any part thereof; provided, that such purchase and the terms thereof shall be approved by the commission after a hearing as provided in s. 197.05. (3) Any municipality shall have the power, subject to ch. 196 and this chapter, to acquire the property of any public utility, wheresoever situated, actually used and useful for the convenience of the public; provided, that in acquiring any property outside of Wisconsin, such property must have been used exclusively by such public utility for furnishing heat, light, water and power to such municipality. (4) (a) Any municipality that owns, or has secured a declaration of convenience and necessity to own, operate, manage or control, any plant or equipment for the production, transmission, delivery or furnishing of heat, light, water or power, may contract with any public utility lawfully engaged as a public utility for a division of any of the foregoing services in the municipality, for a period not exceeding 10 years. The contract shall contain mutual covenants restricting and obligating operations by each party to service within the respective fields of division so contracted for. The commission shall have the right to regulate the charges for, and quality of, service, notwithstanding anything provided in the contract.(b) Nothing in this section shall prevent the commission from terminating a contract authorized under par. (a) and granting a certificate of convenience and necessity for a 3rd or other utility, if in the commission's judgment the public interest requires it.History:  1981 c. 390; 1997 a. 254.
WI Stat § 197.02 (2021)
2021 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations|Chapter 197 - Municipal acquisition of utilities.|197.02 - Action by municipalities to acquire utility.

197.02  Action by municipalities to acquire utility. If a municipality has determined to acquire a plant operated under an indeterminate permit provided in s. 196.54 (2), by a vote of a majority of the electors, the municipality shall bring an action in the circuit court against the public utility for an adjudication as to the necessity of the taking by the municipality. Unless the parties waive a jury, the question as to the necessity of the taking of the property by the municipality shall be submitted to a jury.History:  1983 a. 53 s. 114; 1997 a. 254.
WI Stat § 197.03 (2021)
2021 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations|Chapter 197 - Municipal acquisition of utilities.|197.03 - Indeterminate permit; notice.

197.03  Indeterminate permit; notice. If a municipality has determined to acquire an existing plant in the manner provided in s. 197.02, and the public utility owning the plant has consented to the taking over of the plant by the municipality by acceptance of an indeterminate permit as provided in s. 196.54 (4), or, in case the public utility has not waived or consented to the taking, if a jury acting under s. 197.02 has found that a necessity exists for the taking of the plant, the municipality shall give speedy notice to the public utility and to the commission of the municipality's determination and of the utility's consent or the jury's finding.History:  1997 a. 254.
WI Stat § 197.05 (2021)
2021 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations|Chapter 197 - Municipal acquisition of utilities.|197.05 - Compensation determined by commission; notice; title.

197.05  Compensation determined by commission; notice; title. (1) Upon receipt of the notice under s. 197.03, the commission shall set a time and place for a public hearing upon the matters of the just compensation to be paid for the property of the public utility, wherever situated, actually used and useful for the convenience of the public, and of all other terms and conditions of the purchase. The commission shall give the interested municipality and public utility not less than 30 days' notice of the time and place at which the hearing will be held, and the matters to be considered and determined at the hearing. The municipality shall publish in the county in which the public utility is located a class 3 notice, under ch. 985, of the hearing. (2) The commission shall, by order, fix and determine and certify to the governing body of the municipality, to the public utility and to any bondholder, mortgagee, lienor or any other person having or claiming to have any interest in the public utility appearing at the hearing, just compensation to be paid for the taking of the property of the public utility actually used and useful for the convenience of the public and all other terms and all conditions of purchase that the commission shall ascertain to be reasonable. (3) (a) The compensation and other terms and the conditions of purchase certified by the commission under sub. (2) shall constitute the compensation and terms and conditions to be paid, followed and observed in the purchase of the plant from the public utility. Upon the filing of the order issued under sub. (2) with the clerk of the municipality the absolute title of the property taken shall vest in the municipality. As to any property to be taken that is located outside of Wisconsin, the circuit court is vested with power to require the public utility company to convey the property to the municipality.(b) Municipalities in adjoining states that have determined to acquire a public utility, part of which is located in Wisconsin, are authorized to acquire and to hold and operate any part of the public utility located in Wisconsin, provided the adjoining state gives a similar power to Wisconsin municipalities.History:  1997 a. 254.
WI Stat § 197.06 (2021)
2021 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations|Chapter 197 - Municipal acquisition of utilities.|197.06 - Court review.

197.06  Court review. The order of the commission may be reviewed by appeal in the manner provided in ch. 227, and any bondholder, mortgagee, lienholder or other creditor may take such appeal as a party aggrieved.
WI Stat § 197.08 (2021)
2021 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations|Chapter 197 - Municipal acquisition of utilities.|197.08 - Decision for utility.

197.08  Decision for utility. If the plaintiff shall establish to the full satisfaction of the court and the court shall adjudge that such compensation is unlawful or that some of such terms or conditions are unreasonable, the court shall remand the same to the commission with such findings of fact and conclusions of law as shall set forth in detail the reasons for such judgment and the specific particulars in which such order of the commission is adjudged to be unreasonable or unlawful.
WI Stat § 197.09 (2021)
2021 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations|Chapter 197 - Municipal acquisition of utilities.|197.09 - Reconsideration of compensation.

197.09  Reconsideration of compensation. (1) If the compensation fixed by the order of the commission be adjudged to be unlawful, the commission shall forthwith proceed to set a rehearing for the redetermination of such compensation as in the first instance. (2) The commission shall forthwith otherwise alter and amend such order with or without a rehearing as it may deem necessary so that the same shall be reasonable and lawful in every particular.
WI Stat § 198.01 (2021)
2021 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations|Chapter 198 - Municipal power and water districts.|198.01 - Definitions.

198.01  Definitions. In this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires: (1) “Board of directors," “directors" or “board" means the board of directors of a municipal power district selected as provided in this chapter, duly constituted and organized and acting as a board. (2) “Chief executive" means mayor or city manager, village president, or chairperson of the town. (3) “Commission" means the public service commission and any other body, commission or agency of the state which may at any time hereafter succeed to the general powers and jurisdiction of said commission. (3m) “County clerk" means the clerk of the county containing the largest number of voters within a district or proposed district. (4) “Governing body," whenever used in relation to any municipality, means in the case of any town or village, the town or village board, and, in the case of any city, the common council or commissioners, as the case may be, of such city, and shall be held to include the mayor or other chief executive officer of such municipality in any case wherein the concurrence or approval of such officer is required by the law governing such municipality for the adoption of any municipal ordinance or resolution or other municipal act provided for in this chapter. (5) “Municipality" means any town, city, or village. (6) “Municipal power district," “power district" or “district" means a municipal power district organized under this chapter, either as originally organized or as the same may be from time to time altered or amended. (7) “Public utility" or “utility" means the plant, equipment, materials, supplies and any other or different property, including contract rights, used and useful primarily for the production, transmission or furnishing of electric power to or for the public for any purpose by a person, firm, association, corporation or a municipality and whether operated by a person, firm, association, corporation, a municipality or by trustees or by receivers appointed by any court. (8) “Voters" means vote for governor at the last general election.History:  1983 a. 189; 1989 a. 56 s. 258; 1997 a. 254; 2001 a. 107.