reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
MN Stat § 216A.02 (2021)
2021 Minnesota Statutes|Chapters 216 - 217 — Utilities|Chapter 216A — Public Utilities Regulators|Section 216A.02 — Definitions.

216A.02 DEFINITIONS. Subdivision 1. Scope. For the purposes of this chapter, the terms defined in this section have the meanings given them. Subd. 2. Legislative function. "Legislative function" means the establishment and promulgation of all rules, orders and directives of general or particular applicability, governing the conduct of the regulated persons or businesses, together with such investigative procedures as are incident thereto and all other valid acts and procedures which are historically or functionally legislative in character. Subd. 3. Administrative function. "Administrative function" means all duties and procedures concerning the execution and enforcement of the laws, rules, orders, directives, duties, and obligations imposed for the control and government of the persons or businesses regulated, together with investigative activities incident thereto and procedures inherently administrative or executive in character. Subd. 4. Quasi-judicial function. "Quasi-judicial function" means the promulgation of all orders and directives of particular applicability governing the conduct of the regulated persons or businesses, together with procedures inherently judicial. History:  1967 c 864 s 2; 1977 c 364 s 1
MN Stat § 216A.035 (2021)
2021 Minnesota Statutes|Chapters 216 - 217 — Utilities|Chapter 216A — Public Utilities Regulators|Section 216A.035 — Conflict Of Interest.

216A.035 CONFLICT OF INTEREST. (a) No person, while a member of the Public Utilities Commission, while acting as executive secretary of the commission, or while employed in a professional capacity by the commission, shall receive any income, other than dividends or other earnings from a mutual fund or trust if these earnings do not constitute a significant portion of the person's income, directly or indirectly from any public utility or other organization subject to regulation by the commission. (b) No person is eligible to be appointed as a member of the commission if the person has been employed with an entity, or an affiliated company of an entity, that is subject to rate regulation by the commission within one year from the date when the person's term on the commission will begin. (c) No person who is an employee of the Department of Commerce shall participate in any manner in any decision or action of the commission where that person has a direct or indirect financial interest. Each commissioner or employee of the department who is in the general professional, supervisory, or technical units established in section 179A.10 or who is a professional, supervisory, or technical employee defined as confidential in section 179A.03, subdivision 4, or who is a management classification employee and whose duties are related to public utility, telephone company, or telecommunications company regulation shall report to the Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board annually before April 15 any interest in an industry or business regulated by the commission. Each commissioner shall file a statement of economic interest as required by section 10A.09 with the Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board and the Public Utilities Commission before taking office. The statement of economic interest must state any interest that the commissioner has in an industry or business regulated by the commission. (d) A professional employee of the commission or department must immediately disclose to the commission or to the commissioner of the department, respectively, any communication, direct or indirect, with a person who is a party to a pending proceeding before the commission regarding future benefits, compensation, or employment to be received from that person. History:  1974 c 429 s 66; 1979 c 206 s 1; 1980 c 614 s 123; 1981 c 210 s 51; 1984 c 462 s 27; 1986 c 409 s 3; 1986 c 444; 1987 c 186 s 15; 1997 c 202 art 2 s 63; 1Sp2001 c 4 art 6 s 28
MN Stat § 216A.036 (2021)
2021 Minnesota Statutes|Chapters 216 - 217 — Utilities|Chapter 216A — Public Utilities Regulators|Section 216A.036 — Employment Restrictions; Civil Penalty.

216A.036 EMPLOYMENT RESTRICTIONS; CIVIL PENALTY. (a) A person who serves as (1) a commissioner of the Public Utilities Commission, (2) commissioner of commerce, or (3) deputy commissioner of commerce, shall not, while employed with or within one year after leaving the commission or department, accept employment with, receive compensation directly or indirectly from, or enter into a contractual relationship with an entity, or an affiliated company of an entity, that is subject to rate regulation by the commission. (b) An entity or an affiliated company of an entity that is subject to rate regulation by the commission, or a person acting on behalf of the entity, shall not negotiate or offer to employ or compensate a commissioner of the Public Utilities Commission, the commissioner of commerce, or the deputy commissioner of commerce, while the person is so employed or within one year after the person leaves that employment. (c) For the purposes of this section, "affiliated company" means a company that controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with an entity subject to rate regulation by the commission. (d) A person who violates this section is subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $10,000 for each violation. The attorney general may bring an action in district court to collect the penalties provided in this section. History:  1986 c 409 s 4; 1987 c 186 s 15; 1Sp2001 c 4 art 6 s 29
MN Stat § 216A.04 (2021)
2021 Minnesota Statutes|Chapters 216 - 217 — Utilities|Chapter 216A — Public Utilities Regulators|Section 216A.04 — Executive Secretary; Commission Employees.

216A.04 EXECUTIVE SECRETARY; COMMISSION EMPLOYEES. Subdivision 1. Selection of executive secretary. The commission shall appoint an executive secretary, not a member, who shall be in the unclassified service of the state and shall serve at the pleasure of the commission. The executive secretary shall take, subscribe, and file an oath similar to that required of the commissioners, and shall be subject to the same disqualifications as commissioners. Subd. 1a. Powers and duties of executive secretary. The executive secretary shall: (1) cause to be kept full and correct records of all transactions and proceedings of the commission; (2) appoint, subject to chapter 43A and the approval of the commission, all other classified employees of the commission and supervise and direct their activities; (3) have custody of the seal of the commission; (4) serve as the administrative officer of the commission with responsibility for personnel, budget and other administrative details related to the work of the commission or as required by state law; (5) prepare orders, reports, and other materials as assigned by the commission and recommend to the commission such measures as may be appropriate to achieve the objectives of the commission; (6) advise the commission of its financial position and recommend a budget for its approval; and (7) perform other duties as the commission directs. Subd. 2. Acting secretary. The commission may designate any responsible employee to serve as acting secretary in the absence of the secretary. Subd. 3. Officers and employees. The commission may establish other positions in the unclassified service if the positions meet the criteria of section 43A.08, subdivision 1a, clauses (1) to (7). The commission may employ other persons as may be necessary to carry out its functions. Subd. 4. Transcripts of proceedings. Hearing reporters may provide transcripts of proceedings before the commission to persons requesting transcripts who pay a reasonable charge therefor to the reporter. The amount of the charge shall be fixed by the commission and retained by the reporter, any other law to the contrary notwithstanding. History:  1967 c 864 s 4; 1971 c 74 s 1; 1971 c 646 s 1; 1973 c 35 s 44; 1980 c 614 s 106-108; 1981 c 210 s 54; 1982 c 560 s 51
MN Stat § 216A.08 (2021)
2021 Minnesota Statutes|Chapters 216 - 217 — Utilities|Chapter 216A — Public Utilities Regulators|Section 216A.08 — Continuation Of Rules Of Public Service Department.

216A.08 CONTINUATION OF RULES OF PUBLIC SERVICE DEPARTMENT. All valid rules, orders, and directives heretofore enforced, issued, or promulgated by the Public Service Department under authority of chapter 216, 216A, 216B, 216C, 218, 219, 221, 222, 237, 238, or 239 shall remain and continue in force and effect until repealed, modified, or superseded by duly authorized rules, orders, or directives of the Public Utilities Commission, the commissioner of transportation, or the commissioner of commerce. History:  1967 c 864 s 8; 1976 c 166 s 13; 1980 c 614 s 123; 1985 c 248 s 70; 1Sp2001 c 4 art 6 s 32
MN Stat § 216A.09 (2021)
2021 Minnesota Statutes|Chapters 216 - 217 — Utilities|Chapter 216A — Public Utilities Regulators|Section 216A.09 — Actions.

216A.09 ACTIONS. The commission may sue or be sued in its own name. History:   1967 c 864 s 9
MN Stat § 216A.095 (2021)
2021 Minnesota Statutes|Chapters 216 - 217 — Utilities|Chapter 216A — Public Utilities Regulators|Section 216A.095 — Cooperation Between Department And Commission.

216A.095 COOPERATION BETWEEN DEPARTMENT AND COMMISSION. Nothing in this chapter prevents the department or the commission from entering into agreements with each other or with other agencies to coordinate and share services, to conduct joint projects or investigations on matters within the authority and jurisdiction of the parties thereto, or to temporarily assign staff to projects requested by each other or by other agencies. The cooperative agreements may provide for the sharing of costs between the parties thereto or the reimbursement of the department or commission operating budget for expenditures made on behalf of the department or commission or agency. No cooperative effort shall interfere with the independence and integrity of either the commission or the department or any other agency that is a party. History:   1980 c 614 s 112
MN Stat § 216B.01 (2021)
2021 Minnesota Statutes|Chapters 216 - 217 — Utilities|Chapter 216B — Public Utilities|Section 216B.01 — Legislative Findings.

216B.01 LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS. It is hereby declared to be in the public interest that public utilities be regulated as hereinafter provided in order to provide the retail consumers of natural gas and electric service in this state with adequate and reliable services at reasonable rates, consistent with the financial and economic requirements of public utilities and their need to construct facilities to provide such services or to otherwise obtain energy supplies, to avoid unnecessary duplication of facilities which increase the cost of service to the consumer and to minimize disputes between public utilities which may result in inconvenience or diminish efficiency in service to the consumers. Because municipal utilities are presently effectively regulated by the residents of the municipalities which own and operate them, and cooperative electric associations are presently effectively regulated and controlled by the membership under the provisions of chapter 308A, it is deemed unnecessary to subject such utilities to regulation under this chapter except as specifically provided herein. History:  1974 c 429 s 1; 1978 c 795 s 1; 1989 c 356 s 8
MN Stat § 216B.022 (2021)
2021 Minnesota Statutes|Chapters 216 - 217 — Utilities|Chapter 216B — Public Utilities|Section 216B.022 — Submetering.

216B.022 SUBMETERING. Nothing in this chapter grants the commission or a public utility the authority to limit the availability of submetering to a building occupant when the building is served by a public utility's master meter which measures the total electric energy delivered to the building. History:   1983 c 366 s 3
MN Stat § 216B.025 (2021)
2021 Minnesota Statutes|Chapters 216 - 217 — Utilities|Chapter 216B — Public Utilities|Section 216B.025 — Municipal Regulation Option.

216B.025 MUNICIPAL REGULATION OPTION. A municipality may elect to become subject to regulation by the commission pursuant to sections 216B.10 and 216B.11. An election for regulation may be effected by resolution of the governing body requesting regulation and filed with the commission. History:   1981 c 142 s 1
MN Stat § 216B.029 (2021)
2021 Minnesota Statutes|Chapters 216 - 217 — Utilities|Chapter 216B — Public Utilities|Section 216B.029 — Standards For Distribution Utilities.

216B.029 STANDARDS FOR DISTRIBUTION UTILITIES. Subdivision 1. Standards. (a) The commission and each cooperative electric association and municipal utility shall adopt standards for safety, reliability, and service quality for distribution utilities. Standards for cooperative electric associations and municipal utilities should be as consistent as possible with the commission standards. (b) Reliability standards must be based on the system average interruption frequency index, system average interruption duration index, and customer average interruption duration index measurement indices. Service quality standards must specify, if technically and administratively feasible: (1) average call center response time; (2) customer disconnection rate; (3) meter-reading frequency; (4) complaint resolution response time; (5) service extension request response time; (6) recording of service and circuit interrupter data; (7) summary reporting; (8) historical reliability performance reporting; (9) notices of interruptions of bulk power supply facilities and other interruptions of power; and (10) customer complaints. (c) Minimum performance standards developed under this section must treat similarly situated distribution systems similarly and recognize differing characteristics of system design and hardware. (d) Electric distribution utilities shall comply with all applicable governmental and industry standards required for the safety, design, construction, and operation of electric distribution facilities, including section 326B.35. Subd. 2. Definitions. For the purpose of this section, the terms defined in this subdivision have the meanings given them. (a) The "system average interruption frequency index" is the average number of interruptions per customer per year. It is determined by dividing the total annual number of customer interruptions by the average number of customers served during the year. (b) The "system average interruption duration index" is the average customer-minutes of interruption per customer. It is determined by dividing the annual sum of customer-minutes of interruption by the average number of customers served during the year. (c) The "customer average interruption duration index" is the average customer-minutes of interruption per customer interruption. It approximates the average length of time required to complete service restoration. It is determined by dividing the annual sum of all customer-minutes of interruption durations by the annual number of customer interruptions. History:  2001 c 212 art 6 s 1; 2007 c 140 art 5 s 32; art 13 s 4
MN Stat § 216B.03 (2021)
2021 Minnesota Statutes|Chapters 216 - 217 — Utilities|Chapter 216B — Public Utilities|Section 216B.03 — Reasonable Rate.

216B.03 REASONABLE RATE. Every rate made, demanded, or received by any public utility, or by any two or more public utilities jointly, shall be just and reasonable. Rates shall not be unreasonably preferential, unreasonably prejudicial, or discriminatory, but shall be sufficient, equitable, and consistent in application to a class of consumers. To the maximum reasonable extent, the commission shall set rates to encourage energy conservation and renewable energy use and to further the goals of sections 216B.164, 216B.241, and 216C.05. Any doubt as to reasonableness should be resolved in favor of the consumer. For rate-making purposes a public utility may treat two or more municipalities served by it as a single class wherever the populations are comparable in size or the conditions of service are similar. History:  1974 c 429 s 3; 1983 c 179 s 4; 1987 c 312 art 1 s 10 subd 1
MN Stat § 216B.04 (2021)
2021 Minnesota Statutes|Chapters 216 - 217 — Utilities|Chapter 216B — Public Utilities|Section 216B.04 — Standard Of Service.

216B.04 STANDARD OF SERVICE. Every public utility shall furnish safe, adequate, efficient, and reasonable service; provided that service shall be deemed adequate if made so within 90 days after a person requests service. Upon application by a public utility, and for good cause shown, the commission may extend the period for not to exceed another 90 days. History:   1974 c 429 s 4
MN Stat § 216B.05 (2021)
2021 Minnesota Statutes|Chapters 216 - 217 — Utilities|Chapter 216B — Public Utilities|Section 216B.05 — Filing Schedules, Rules, And Service Agreements.

216B.05 FILING SCHEDULES, RULES, AND SERVICE AGREEMENTS. Subdivision 1. Public rate filing. Every public utility shall file with the commission schedules showing all rates, tolls, tariffs, and charges which it has established and which are in force at the time for any service performed by it within the state, or for any service in connection therewith or performed by any public utility controlled or operated by it. Subd. 2. Schedule and rules filing. Every public utility shall file with and as a part of the filings under subdivision 1, all rules that, in the judgment of the commission, in any manner affect the service or product, or the rates charged or to be charged for any service or product, as well as any contracts, agreements, or arrangements relating to the service or product or the rates to be charged for any service or product to which the schedule is applicable as the commission may by general or special order direct; provided that contracts and agreements for electric service must be filed as required by subdivision 2a. Subd. 2a. Electric service contract. A contract for electric service entered into between a public utility and one of its customers, in which the public utility and the customer agree to customer-specific rates, terms, or service conditions not already contained in the approved schedules, tariffs, or rules of the utility, must be filed for approval by the commission pursuant to the commission's rules of practice. Contracts between public utilities and customers that are necessitated by specific statutes in this chapter must be filed for approval under those statutes and any rules adopted by the commission pursuant to those statutes. Subd. 3. Public inspection. Every public utility shall keep copies of the filings under subdivisions 1, 2, and 2a open to public inspection under rules as the commission may prescribe. History:  1974 c 429 s 5; 1985 c 248 s 70; 1997 c 191 art 1 s 1
MN Stat § 216B.06 (2021)
2021 Minnesota Statutes|Chapters 216 - 217 — Utilities|Chapter 216B — Public Utilities|Section 216B.06 — Receiving Different Compensation.

216B.06 RECEIVING DIFFERENT COMPENSATION. No public utility shall directly or indirectly, by any device whatsoever, or in any manner, charge, demand, collect, or receive from any person a greater or less compensation for any service rendered or to be rendered by the utility than that prescribed in the schedules of rates of the public utility applicable thereto when filed in the manner provided in Laws 1974, chapter 429, nor shall any person knowingly receive or accept any service from a public utility for a compensation greater or less than that prescribed in the schedules, provided that all rates being charged and collected by a public utility upon January 1, 1975, may be continued until schedules are filed. History:  1974 c 429 s 6; 1978 c 795 s 3
MN Stat § 216B.07 (2021)
2021 Minnesota Statutes|Chapters 216 - 217 — Utilities|Chapter 216B — Public Utilities|Section 216B.07 — Rate Preference Prohibited.

216B.07 RATE PREFERENCE PROHIBITED. No public utility shall, as to rates or service, make or grant any unreasonable preference or advantage to any person or subject any person to any unreasonable prejudice or disadvantage. History:   1974 c 429 s 7
MN Stat § 216B.075 (2021)
2021 Minnesota Statutes|Chapters 216 - 217 — Utilities|Chapter 216B — Public Utilities|Section 216B.075 — Meter Reading; Customer Scheduling Needs.

216B.075 METER READING; CUSTOMER SCHEDULING NEEDS. Notwithstanding any other provision of rule or policy to the contrary, every public utility providing natural gas or electricity at retail shall make a reasonable effort to obtain readings at least once every 18 months from nonaccessible meters. Readings shall be obtained at times that meet the needs of customer schedules. Utilities shall make a reasonable effort to provide evening and Saturday or Sunday meter reading service at no extra charge to a customer whose work or other schedule makes a business hour reading of meters a hardship. Utilities may refuse to read a customer's meter during nondaylight hours if such activity could threaten the safety of the utility meter-reading employee. A utility may also allow a customer to self-read the customer's meter for periods of time not to exceed 18 months, provided that the customer is reminded periodically of the potentially serious financial consequences of errors in self-reading. A utility may terminate service to a customer who refuses to allow a utility company employee access to a nonaccessible meter for a period of 18 months or more. History:   1983 c 176 s 1
MN Stat § 216B.08 (2021)
2021 Minnesota Statutes|Chapters 216 - 217 — Utilities|Chapter 216B — Public Utilities|Section 216B.08 — Duties Of Commission.

216B.08 DUTIES OF COMMISSION. The commission is hereby vested with the powers, rights, functions, and jurisdiction to regulate in accordance with the provisions of Laws 1974, chapter 429 every public utility as defined herein. The exercise of such powers, rights, functions, and jurisdiction is prescribed as a duty of the commission. The commission is authorized to make rules in furtherance of the purposes of Laws 1974, chapter 429. History:  1974 c 429 s 8; 1985 c 248 s 70
MN Stat § 216B.09 (2021)
2021 Minnesota Statutes|Chapters 216 - 217 — Utilities|Chapter 216B — Public Utilities|Section 216B.09 — Standards; Classifications; Rules; Practices.

216B.09 STANDARDS; CLASSIFICATIONS; RULES; PRACTICES. Subdivision 1. Commission authority, generally. The commission, on its own motion or upon complaint and after reasonable notice and hearing, may ascertain and fix just and reasonable standards, classifications, rules, or practices to be observed and followed by any or all public utilities with respect to the service to be furnished. Subd. 2. Electric service, rules, measurement standards, grounding. The commission, on its own motion or upon complaint and after reasonable notice and hearing, may ascertain and fix adequate and reasonable standards for the measurement of the quantity, quality, pressure, initial voltage, or other condition pertaining to the supply of the service; prescribe reasonable rules for the examination and testing of the service and for the measurement thereof; establish or approve reasonable rules, specifications, and standards to secure the accuracy of all meters, instruments, and equipment used for the measurement of any service of any public utility. In this subdivision, service standards or requirements governing any current or voltage originating from the practice of grounding of electrical systems apply to cooperative associations and municipal utilities providing or furnishing retail electric service to agricultural customers. Subd. 3. Filings. Any standards, classifications, rules, or practices now or hereafter observed or followed by any public utility may be filed by it with the commission, and the same shall continue in force until amended by the public utility or until changed by the commission as herein provided. The commission may require the filing of all rates, including rates charged to and by public utilities. Subd. 4. Appearance before federal agency. The commission is empowered to appear before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to offer evidence and to seek appropriate relief in any case in which the rates charged consumers within the state of Minnesota may be affected. History:  1974 c 429 s 9; 1985 c 248 s 70; 1993 c 327 s 3