1. (a) Before adopting, amending, or repealing any rule, the Arkansas Public Service Commission shall:

   1. (1)

      1. (A) Issue an order and notice of rulemaking that shall give at least thirty (30) days' notice of its intended action.
      2. (B) The order shall include:

2. (i) A statement of the terms or substance of the intended action or a description of the subject and issues involved; and

   1. (ii) The time, place, and manner in which interested persons may present their views;

      1. (C) The notice shall be served on:

         1. (i) Any person specified by law; and
         2. (ii) All persons who have requested advance notice of all rulemaking proceedings;
   2. (2) Afford all interested persons reasonable opportunity to submit written or oral public comments; and
   3. (3) Afford parties reasonable opportunity to submit written comments or argument on the specific proposed rule changes in accordance with the applicable procedural schedule.

3. (b) Upon issuance of the order giving notice of any hearing on a proposed rule, the secretary shall:

   1. (1) At least thirty (30) days before the period for public comment expires, transmit copies of the order, proposed rule changes, financial impact statement or statements, and other information required by law or rule to the Legislative Council and to the Joint Interim Committee on Insurance and Commerce of the General Assembly (see Arkansas Code §§ 10-3-309 and 25-15-204); and

   2. (2)

      1. (A) Publish newspaper notice to the public once a week for two (2) consecutive weeks in a newspaper or newspapers having substantial circulation in Arkansas.

      2. (B) The notice shall contain the following information:

         1. (i) A general description of the proposed rule changes;
         2. (ii) The Arkansas Public Service Commission docket number;
         3. (iii) A statement that interested persons may submit public comments in writing or orally at the hearing;
         4. (iv) The date, place, and time of the hearing;
         5. (v) That further information may be obtained by:
4. (a) (a) Writing or calling the secretary; or

5. (b) (b) Viewing the Arkansas Public Service Commission’s website; and

   1. (vi) The name, address, and telephone number of the secretary and the URL address of the Arkansas Public Service Commission’s website shall be set forth.

      1. (C) The publication shall be completed no later than thirty (30) days before the date of the hearing.

Codification Notes: This section was promulgated as Rule 2.03 of the Rules of Practice and Procedure prior to codification in the Code of Arkansas Rules.