1. (a) Customer-requested meter tests. A utility shall test a meter for accuracy at the request of a customer under the following conditions:

   1. (1)

      1. (A) Before testing, a utility must tell a customer:

2. (i) When a fee will be charged; and

   1. (ii) The amount of the fee.

      1. (B) A utility must give the customer a chance to withdraw the request before incurring any charge for the test.
      2. (C) The utility shall also tell the customer that if the meter is not as accurate as the Arkansas Public Service Commission’s Special Rules require, there will be no charge for the test;
   2. (2) The utility shall test the meter according to the Arkansas Public Service Commission’s Special Rules;

   3. (3) The utility shall tell the customer:

      1. (A) Where and when the utility will test the meter; and
      2. (B) That the customer and the customer’s representative may be present when the utility tests the meter;

   4. (4)

      1. (A) When a utility must remove a meter for a test, it shall protect and seal the meter to prevent damage or tampering.
      2. (B) The customer and the customer’s representative may be present when the meter is removed; and

   5. (5)

      1. (A) Within ten (10) days after a test, the utility shall give the customer a written report.

      2. (B) The report shall include:

         1. (i) The date the utility received the customer’s test request;
         2. (ii) The location and date of the test;
         3. (iii) The meter’s identification number;
         4. (iv) The results of the test;
         5. (v) The Arkansas Public Service Commission’s Special Rules that apply; and
         6. (vi) Whether the meter was as accurate as the Arkansas Public Service Commission’s Special Rules require.

3. (b) Arkansas Public Service Commission requested meter test/verification. A utility shall test a meter for accuracy at the request of the Arkansas Public Service Commission under the following conditions:

   1. (1) The utility shall test the meter according to the Arkansas Public Service Commission’s Special Rules;
   2. (2) The utility shall inform the Arkansas Public Service Commission of where and when the utility will test the meter;

   3. (3)

      1. (A) When a utility must remove a meter for a test, it shall protect and seal the meter to prevent damage or tampering.
      2. (B) An Arkansas Public Service Commission representative may be present when the meter is removed;

   4. (4)

      1. (A) Within ten (10) days after a test, the utility shall give the Arkansas Public Service Commission a written report.

      2. (B) The report shall include:

         1. (i) The date the utility received the Arkansas Public Service Commission’s request;
         2. (ii) The location and date of the test;
         3. (iii) The meter’s identification number;
         4. (iv) The results of the test;
         5. (v) The Arkansas Public Service Commission’s Special Rules that apply; and
         6. (vi) Whether the meter was as accurate as the Arkansas Public Service Commission’s Special Rules require; and

   5. (5) When a customer asks the Arkansas Public Service Commission to request a meter test without having first made the request of the utility, the Arkansas Public Service Commission shall:

      1. (A) Inform the customer when a fee will be charged and the amount of the fee;
      2. (B) Give the customer a chance to withdraw the request before incurring any charge for the test;
      3. (C) Inform the customer that if the meter is not as accurate as the Arkansas Public Service Commission’s Special Rules require, there will be no charge for the test;
      4. (D) Inform the customer that the customer, the customer’s representative, and an Arkansas Public Service Commission representative may be present when the utility tests the meter; and

      5. (E) Inform the customer of when and where the utility will test the meter.

         1. (c) Utility charges for meter tests.

   6. (1)

      1. (A) If a test shows a meter to be as accurate as the Arkansas Public Service Commission’s Special Rules require, the utility may charge an Arkansas Public Service Commission-approved fee for the test.
      2. (B) The amount of the approved fee shall be set forth in the utility’s tariffed schedule of fees and charges.

   7. (2) If a meter test shows that a meter is not as accurate as the Arkansas Public Service Commission’s Special Rules require, a utility:

      1. (A) May not charge a fee for the test; and
      2. (B) Must correct the customer’s bill as required by 23 CAR § 455-519.
   8. (3) If a utility does not test a meter in the manner required by the Arkansas Public Service Commission’s Special Rules, the utility may not charge a fee for the test.
   9. (4) If a utility tests a meter more than once for the same request, and if any one (1) of these tests shows the meter is not as accurate as the Arkansas Public Service Commission’s Special Rules require, the utility may not charge a fee for any of the tests.

Codification Notes: This section was promulgated as Rule 5.18 of the General Service Rules prior to codification in the Code of Arkansas Rules.