reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
AR Code § 23-3-704 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 23 - Public Utilities and Regulated Industries|Subtitle 1 - Public Utilities And Carriers|Chapter 3 - Regulation of Utilities and Carriers Generally|Subchapter 7 - Avoided Costs|§ 23-3-704. Basis of rate determination — Waiver of avoided cost standard

 (a) A determination of the avoided energy cost rate or rates for the electric utility shall be based on the electric utility's estimated avoided costs of producing or purchasing electrical energy during the time period of the purchase of electrical energy from the qualifying facility. It shall not be based upon the production or purchase of electrical energy at any time other than during the time period of the purchasing of electrical energy from the qualifying facility. A determination of the avoided capacity cost rate or rates for the electric utility shall be based at the electric utility's cost of capacity additions or purchases avoided during the time period of the purchase of electrical capacity from the qualifying facility. It shall not be based upon the purchase of electrical capacity at any time other than during the time period of the purchase of electrical capacity from the qualifying facility.  (b)  (1) In the event the Arkansas Public Service Commission finds and determines that the avoided cost rate is not necessary to encourage the appropriate amount of construction of qualifying facilities and that a rate less than the avoided cost rate is just and reasonable to the electric consumer of the electric utility, is in the public interest, and will not discriminate against qualifying facilities, the Arkansas Public Service Commission shall take all reasonable and appropriate steps to obtain a waiver of the avoided cost standard from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission or any successor agency.  (2) In addition, a determination of the avoided cost rate or rates for energy or capacity purchased by an electric utility shall:  (A) Be just and reasonable to the electric consumer of the electric utility and in the public interest; and  (B) Not discriminate against qualifying cogeneration and small power production facilities.      (c) Nothing in this subsection requires any electric utility to pay more than the avoided costs for purchases.
AR Code § 23-3-705 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 23 - Public Utilities and Regulated Industries|Subtitle 1 - Public Utilities And Carriers|Chapter 3 - Regulation of Utilities and Carriers Generally|Subchapter 7 - Avoided Costs|§ 23-3-705. Lower contract rates permitted

 Nothing in this subchapter shall prohibit an electric utility and a qualifying facility from negotiating a contract rate lower than the avoided cost rate established by the Arkansas Public Service Commission for the electric utility.
AR Code § 23-4-101 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 23 - Public Utilities and Regulated Industries|Subtitle 1 - Public Utilities And Carriers|Chapter 4 - Regulation of Rates and Charges Generally|Subchapter 1 - General Provisions|§ 23-4-101. Authority of commission or department to establish rates — Exceptions

 (a) With respect to the particular public utilities and matters over which each agency has jurisdiction, the Arkansas Public Service Commission or the Arkansas Department of Transportation shall have the power, after reasonable notice and after full and complete hearing, to enforce, originate, establish, modify, change, adjust, and promulgate tariffs, rates, joint rates, tolls, and schedules for all public service corporations, companies, and utilities and all rules with reference thereto and orders directing the performance of any duties devolving on the company, utility, common carrier, or public service corporation under the terms of this act.  (b) Whenever the commission or the department having jurisdiction, after notice and hearing, finds any existing rates, tolls, tariffs, joint rates, or schedules unjust, unreasonable, insufficient, unjustly discriminatory, or otherwise in violation of any of the provisions of the law, the commission or the department shall, by an order, fix reasonable rates, joint rates, tariffs, tolls, charges, or schedules to be followed in the future in lieu of those found to be unjust, unreasonable, insufficient, unjustly discriminatory, inadequate, or otherwise in violation of any of the provisions of this law.  (c)  (1) Nothing in this act shall authorize either the commission or the department to make any rule or order whatever to be effective within the limits of any municipality of this state with reference to any tariff, rate, toll, schedule, duty, or action of any public service corporation, company, or public utility operating within the municipality as a street railroad; telephone company; gas company; pipeline company for transportation of oil, gas, or water; electrical company, for the generation or distribution, sale, or supply of electricity for heat, light, or power; water company; or hydroelectric company.  (2) It is the intention of this act, more particularly expressed in other provisions of this act, to confer upon the municipal councils and city commissions of this state jurisdiction as to these matters, so far as they are effective within the limits of any municipality of this state.
AR Code § 23-4-102 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 23 - Public Utilities and Regulated Industries|Subtitle 1 - Public Utilities And Carriers|Chapter 4 - Regulation of Rates and Charges Generally|Subchapter 1 - General Provisions|§ 23-4-102. Commission's authority over interstate rates, charges, classifications, and other actions

 (a) The Arkansas Public Service Commission shall have the power to investigate all existing or proposed interstate rates, charges, and classifications, and all rules and practices in relation thereto promulgated and prescribed by or for any public utility as defined in § 23-1-101, when the matters so investigated shall affect the public of this state.  (b) When the existing or proposed interstate rates, charges, and classifications are in the opinion of the Arkansas Public Service Commission excessive or discriminatory or in violation of any act of the United States Congress or in conflict with the rules, orders, or regulations of a commission created by the United States Congress, the Arkansas Public Service Commission may seek relief in the appropriate commission or in a court of competent jurisdiction.  (c) For the purpose of this section, the Arkansas Public Service Commission:  (1) Is exempt from the provisions of § 25-16-702 whenever the Arkansas Public Service Commission is a party to a proceeding under subsection (b) of this section;  (2) May retain contract attorneys or contract consultants; and  (3)  (A) May adopt rules for direct recovery of the fees and expenses of contract attorneys and consultants from the affected utility under this section, provided that the utility is an electric public utility that is owned by a public utility holding company as defined by section 1262 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, Pub. L. No. 109-58. The maximum amount that may be directly recovered from an affected utility shall be three million dollars ($3,000,000) annually.  (B)  (i) In the event the Arkansas Public Service Commission directly recovers the fees and expenses of its attorneys and consultants from an affected utility under this section, that utility shall be allowed to implement a surcharge mechanism to recover only the expenses directly recovered from that utility.  (ii) The surcharge shall be established annually to recover only the amounts directly recovered from that utility during the preceding calendar year.  (iii) The surcharge mechanism shall include provisions to address any excessive or deficient recoveries during the preceding calendar year. The surcharge shall not include any interest or carrying charges.  (iv) Any surcharge must be approved by the Arkansas Public Service Commission before it can be implemented.
AR Code § 23-4-103 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 23 - Public Utilities and Regulated Industries|Subtitle 1 - Public Utilities And Carriers|Chapter 4 - Regulation of Rates and Charges Generally|Subchapter 1 - General Provisions|§ 23-4-103. Rates and rules to be reasonable

 All rates made, demanded, or received by any public utility, for any product or commodity furnished, or to be furnished, or any service rendered or to be rendered, and all rules made by any public utility pertaining thereto shall be just and reasonable, and to the extent that the rates or rules may be unjust or unreasonable, are prohibited and declared unlawful.
AR Code § 23-4-104 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 23 - Public Utilities and Regulated Industries|Subtitle 1 - Public Utilities And Carriers|Chapter 4 - Regulation of Rates and Charges Generally|Subchapter 1 - General Provisions|§ 23-4-104. Charges, rates, etc., to be just, reasonable, and in compliance with Acts 1919, No. 571, and Acts 1921, No. 124

 (a) All charges, tolls, fares, and rates shall be just and reasonable.  (b) No charge shall be made in any tariffs, rates, fares, tolls, schedules, or classifications except as provided in this act.
AR Code § 23-4-105 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 23 - Public Utilities and Regulated Industries|Subtitle 1 - Public Utilities And Carriers|Chapter 4 - Regulation of Rates and Charges Generally|Subchapter 1 - General Provisions|§ 23-4-105. Rate schedules — Filing

 Under such rules and regulations as the commission may prescribe, every public utility shall file with the commission, within such time and in such form as the commission may designate, schedules showing all rates established by or for it, and collected or enforced, or to be collected or enforced, within the jurisdiction of the commission.
AR Code § 23-4-106 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 23 - Public Utilities and Regulated Industries|Subtitle 1 - Public Utilities And Carriers|Chapter 4 - Regulation of Rates and Charges Generally|Subchapter 1 - General Provisions|§ 23-4-106. Rate schedules — Public inspection

 Every public utility shall keep copies of its rate schedules open to public inspection under such rules and at such places as the commission may prescribe.
AR Code § 23-4-107 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 23 - Public Utilities and Regulated Industries|Subtitle 1 - Public Utilities And Carriers|Chapter 4 - Regulation of Rates and Charges Generally|Subchapter 1 - General Provisions|§ 23-4-107. Rate schedules — Greater or lesser rate not to be charged

 No public utility shall directly or indirectly, by any device whatsoever, charge, demand, collect, or receive from any person a greater or lesser compensation for any service rendered or to be rendered by the public utility than that prescribed in the schedules of the public utility applicable thereto then filed in the manner provided in this act. Nor shall any person receive or accept any service from a public utility for a compensation greater or lesser than that prescribed in the schedules.
AR Code § 23-4-108 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 23 - Public Utilities and Regulated Industries|Subtitle 1 - Public Utilities And Carriers|Chapter 4 - Regulation of Rates and Charges Generally|Subchapter 1 - General Provisions|§ 23-4-108. Sliding scales of rates

 (a)  (1) Nothing in this act shall be taken to prohibit a public utility from establishing or entering into an agreement for a fixed period for a sliding scale or automatic adjustment of charges for public utility service in relation to the dividends to be paid to stockholders of the public utility, or the profit to be realized, or its expenses of operation to be incurred, or other equitable or reasonable basis for the scale or adjustment if a schedule showing the rates under the arrangement is first filed with and approved by the commission.  (2) Nothing in this section shall prevent the commission from revoking its approval at any time and fixing other rates and charges for the product or commodity or service if, after reasonable notice and hearing, the commission finds the existing rates or charges unjust, unreasonable, insufficient, or discriminatory.    (b) The commission shall have the power to fix a reasonable and just sliding scale of rates for public utilities.
AR Code § 23-4-109 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 23 - Public Utilities and Regulated Industries|Subtitle 1 - Public Utilities And Carriers|Chapter 4 - Regulation of Rates and Charges Generally|Subchapter 1 - General Provisions|§ 23-4-109. Minimum charges

 Nothing in this act shall be construed to prohibit a public utility from filing a schedule or entering into any reasonable arrangements with its customers, or prospective customers, which provide for a minimum charge for services to be rendered, or from providing for any other financial device that may be lawful if the schedule or arrangement, before becoming effective, is filed with and approved by the commission. The schedule or arrangement shall be subject to revision or modification on the part of the commission upon complaint or its own motion.
AR Code § 23-4-110 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 23 - Public Utilities and Regulated Industries|Subtitle 1 - Public Utilities And Carriers|Chapter 4 - Regulation of Rates and Charges Generally|Subchapter 1 - General Provisions|§ 23-4-110. Changes in rates under Acts 1919, No. 571, and Acts 1921, No. 124

 (a)  (1) No person, firm, or corporation subject to the provisions of this act shall modify, change, cancel, or annul any rate, joint rates, fares, classifications, charges, or rentals except after thirty (30) days' notice to the public and to the municipal council or city commission, as the case may be, depending on the utility affected and the action proposed.  (2) The notice shall plainly state the changes proposed to be made in the schedule then in force and the time when the changed rates, fares, or charges shall go into effect.    (b) The particular regulatory body having jurisdiction of the matter under this act may enter an order prohibiting such a person, firm, or corporation from putting the proposed new rates into effect pending hearing and final decision of the matter by the regulatory body.  (c)  (1) Whenever there is filed with the regulatory body any schedule proposing a change in any rates, charges, or rules, the regulatory body shall have authority, either upon complaint or upon its own initiative, and upon reasonable notice, to enter upon a hearing concerning the propriety of the rate, charge, or rule.  (2) Pending the hearing and the decision thereon, the regulatory body, upon filing of the schedule or after the schedule should be filed, and upon delivering to the carriers or public service corporations affected thereby a statement in writing of its reasons for such a suspension, may suspend the operation of the schedule and defer the use of the rate or charge.  (3) After a full hearing, whether completed before or after the rate, charge, or rule goes into effect, the regulatory body may make such orders in reference to the rate, fare, charge, or rule as shall be deemed proper and just.
AR Code § 23-4-201 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 23 - Public Utilities and Regulated Industries|Subtitle 1 - Public Utilities And Carriers|Chapter 4 - Regulation of Rates and Charges Generally|Subchapter 2 - Utilities Generally|§ 23-4-201. Electric, gas, telephone, or sewer utilities — Rate-making authority — Definition

 (a)  (1) The Arkansas Public Service Commission is vested with the sole and exclusive jurisdiction and authority to determine the rates to be charged for each kind of product or service to be furnished or rendered by electric, gas, telephone, or sewer public utilities in Arkansas.  (2) Cities and towns in this state shall have no authority acting either through their governing bodies or by the initiative of their citizens to assume or exercise any jurisdiction or authority to fix and determine rates charged in Arkansas by electric, gas, or telephone public utilities.    (b) As used in this section, “electric, gas, telephone, or sewer public utilities” includes persons and corporations or their lessees, trustees, and receivers who own or operate, in this state, equipment or facilities for producing, generating, transmitting, delivering, furnishing, or collecting electricity, sewage, or gas for the production of light, heat, or power, or for the collection of sewage or other waste; who convey or transmit messages or communications by telephone or telegraph to, or for, the public for compensation who produce, generate, transmit, deliver, or furnish electricity or gas to any other person or corporation for resale or distribution to, or for, the public for compensation or for operating or maintaining sewer facilities. This term shall not include those utilities owned or operated by municipalities or leased by them to a nonprofit corporation.  (c) The General Assembly determines that the existing procedures whereby rates described in this section may be determined and fixed by the cities and towns of the State of Arkansas acting through their governing bodies or by the initiative of their citizens have resulted in a multiplicity of rate determination proceedings and forums which are costly and inefficient, have created conflicts between the rates charged in different cities and towns for the same services thus establishing unreasonable preferences to certain citizens, and have discriminated unfairly against the citizens of certain cities and towns to the detriment and at the expense of those citizens and the citizens of the entire State of Arkansas.  (d) Nothing in this section shall be construed to change or alter the rates being charged for electric, gas, telephone, or sewer public utility services until changed by order of the commission in the manner provided by law.
AR Code § 23-4-202 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 23 - Public Utilities and Regulated Industries|Subtitle 1 - Public Utilities And Carriers|Chapter 4 - Regulation of Rates and Charges Generally|Subchapter 2 - Utilities Generally|§ 23-4-202. Water, gas, or electricity bills rendered in accordance with rate schedules — Rate schedule furnished on request

 (a) It shall be unlawful for any public utility furnishing water, gas, or electricity to the general public in the State of Arkansas to bill or render statements to its customers, patrons, or consumers except in accordance with rate schedules duly filed with the Arkansas Public Service Commission in the manner provided by law.  (b) On request by any customer, patron, or consumer, a public utility engaged in the business of the sale or distribution of water, gas, or electricity to the general public shall furnish a copy of the rate schedule under which the customer, patron, or consumer making the request is billed for the service.  (c)  (1) Upon a finding by the commission that any jurisdictional water, gas, telephone, or electric public utility has knowingly, willfully, and purposefully violated any of the provisions of this section, by agent or otherwise, the commission shall assess a civil sanction of one thousand dollars ($1,000) on the utility.  (2) Each instance of violation shall constitute a separate violation. However, in case of a continued violation, each day's continuance thereof shall not be deemed to be a separate and distinct violation.  (3) The power and authority of the commission to impose civil sanctions are not to be affected by any other proceeding, civil or criminal, concerning the same violation, nor shall the imposition of the sanction preclude the commission from imposing other sanctions as are provided for by law.  (4) The proceeds from the civil sanctions imposed under this section shall be deposited into the State Treasury as special revenues and credited to the Public Service Commission Fund.  (5) The imposition of a civil sanction under this section is subject to review by the commission and by the Court of Appeals in the manner provided by §§ 23-2-422 — 23-2-424.
AR Code § 23-4-203 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 23 - Public Utilities and Regulated Industries|Subtitle 1 - Public Utilities And Carriers|Chapter 4 - Regulation of Rates and Charges Generally|Subchapter 2 - Utilities Generally|§ 23-4-203. Water, gas, or electricity — Utility bills must show units charged for

 (a)  (1) All water, gas, or electric companies shall base their charges for their commodities upon the reading of the meters and shall charge for the commodities as per printed tables supplied to patrons.  (2) The bills or statements rendered to patrons shall show the number of units charged for.    (b)  (1) Upon a finding by the Arkansas Public Service Commission that any jurisdictional water, gas, telephone, or electric public utility has knowingly, willfully, and purposefully violated any of the provisions of this section, by agent or otherwise, the commission shall assess a civil sanction of one thousand dollars ($1,000) on the utility.  (2) Each instance of violation shall constitute a separate violation. However, in case of a continued violation, each day's continuance thereof shall not be deemed to be a separate and distinct violation.  (3) The power and authority of the commission to impose the civil sanctions are not to be affected by any other proceeding, civil or criminal, concerning the same violation, nor shall the imposition of the sanction preclude the commission from imposing other sanctions as are provided for by law.  (4) The proceeds from the civil sanctions imposed under this section shall be deposited into the State Treasury as special revenues and credited to the Public Service Commission Fund.  (5) The imposition of a civil sanction under this section is subject to review by the commission and by the Court of Appeals in the manner provided by §§ 23-2-422 — 23-2-424.
AR Code § 23-4-204 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 23 - Public Utilities and Regulated Industries|Subtitle 1 - Public Utilities And Carriers|Chapter 4 - Regulation of Rates and Charges Generally|Subchapter 2 - Utilities Generally|§ 23-4-204. Water, gas, or electricity — Disconnecting charges unlawful — Penalty

 (a) It shall be unlawful for any public utility furnishing water, gas, or electricity to the general public to make a charge for disconnecting service.  (b) Any public utility described in subsection (a) of this section which makes a charge for disconnecting service in violation of this section shall be fined in any sum not less than one hundred dollars ($100) nor more than five hundred dollars ($500), and each violation shall constitute a separate offense.