Opinion ID: 1387075
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Water providers affirmatively included in the PUA:

Text: Municipalities that have elected to come within the terms of the Public Utility Act. Section 62-3-3(E). The process by which the municipality can come within the PUA is described by Section 62-6-5. The Commission also has jurisdiction to hold hearings when a large municipality that is not within the PUA interferes with the territory of a PUA-certificated utility. Section 62-9-1.1(A). Mutual domestic water consumer associations. These were organized under the precursors to the SPA, Sections 3-29-1 to -19. These are protected by, but not regulated by, the PUA under Section 62-9-1. H class counties. These are included within the PUA's definition of municipality. Section 62-3-3(D). Municipalities can elect to come within the terms of the Public Utility Act. Section 62-3-3(E). An H class county is [a]ny county which covers an area of not more than 200 square miles. NMSA 1978, § 4-44-3 (Repl.Pamp.1992). The process by which such a county can come within the PUA is described by Section 62-6-5. Water and sanitation districts. These are organized under NMSA 1978, §§ 73-21-1 to -55 (Repl.Pamp.1987 & Cum.Supp.1993). They can elect to become subject to the jurisdiction of the New Mexico public utility commission. Section 73-21-55(B). They can also be compelled, upon a protest by taxpayer-electors, to file rates, tolls, or charges with the Commission. Section 73-21-55(C).