Case Information
*1 The Attorney General of Texas November 5, 1981
MARK WHITE
Attorney General Honorable James E. Nugent Opinion No. MW-385
Supreme Court Bullding Chairman P. 0. BOX 12548 Railroad Commission of Texas Re: Notice of rate change Austin. TX. 78711 P.O. Box 12967 required by section 43(a) of 5121475-2501 Austin, Texas 78711 Telex 9101874.1M7 article 1446~. V.T.C.S. Telecopier 5121475.0286
Dear Chairman Nugent: 1807 Main St., Suite 1400
You have requested our opinion concerning whether the Railroad Dallas, TX. 75201 Commission of Texas is empowered to waive the newspaper publication 214l742a944
requirements contained in section 43(a) of the Public Utility Regulatory Act, article 1446~. V.T.C.S.; [hereinafter~ Utility Act] 4824 Alberta Ave., Suite 160 and allow a utility to send notice of proposed rate changes requests El Paso, TX. 79905 directly to ratepayers through bill inserts or to otherwise give 9151533-3484 actual notice to a utility ratepayer. ,220 Dallas Ave., Suite 202 Statutes regulating notice that contain liberal construction Houston, TX. 77002 nrovisions. see section 89 of the Utility Act. are to be construed in 713/85&0%5 iavor of theperson or persons to whom notice-is to be given. United
Benefit Fire Insurance Co. V. Metropolitan Plumbing Co., 363 S.W.Zd 806 Broadway. Suite 312 843 (Tex. Civ. App. - El Paso 1962, no writ); Phinney v. Langdeau, 337 Lubbock, TX. 79401 S.W.2d 393 (Tex. Civ. APP. - Austin 1960, writ ref'd. n.r.e.). If the 8061747.5238 statute prescribes the method by which notice must be given. that
method must be followed with reasonable strictness. Rotello V. Brazes 4309 N. Tenth. Suite B County Water Control and Improvement District Number One, 574 S.W.2d McAllen. TX. 78501 208 (Tex. Civ. App. - Houston [lst Dist.] 1978). rev'd on other 5121682.4547 rounds, 598 S.W.2d 227 (Tex. 1980); Clayton V. Newton, 524 S.W.2d 368
?Tex. Civ. App. - Ft. Worth 1975, no writ); see Johnson Service Co. V. Climate Control Contractors, Inc., 478 S.W.2d643 (Tex. Civ. App. - 2w Main Plaza. SUM 400 San Antonio. TX. 78205 [51212254191] Austin 1972. no writ). The language contained in section 43(a) of the Utility Act addressing the notice a utility must give when it intends
to change its rates is mandatory, not discretionary: "...notice shall be given by publication in conspicuous form and place of a notice to An Equal OpPotiunitYl the public of such proposed change once in each week for four Affirmative Action Employer successive weeks in a newspaper having general circulation in each
county containing territory affected by the proposed change...." (Emphasis added). Pursuant to the above cited rule of construction concerning statutory notice provisions, it is our opinion that the statute does not grant the commission the discretion to provide for a substitute method of notice. Of course, the cotiission may permit additional notice by billing inserts.
Mr. James E. Nugent - Page 2 (m-385)
SUMH,ARY 43(a) .of the Public utility Sectim Regulatory Act, article 1446~. V.T.C.S.. governing notice of proposed rate changes is mandatory.
MARK WHITE Attorney General of Texas JOHN W. FAINTER, JR.
First Assistant Attorney General
RICHARD E. GRAY III
Executive Assistant Attorney General
Prepared by Martha Terry
Assistant Attorney General
APPROVED:
OPINION COMMITTEE
Susan L. Garrison, Chairman
Jon Bible
Rick Gilpin
Jim Moellinger
Martha Terry
p. 1311