Montana Title 69. Public Utilities and Carriers § 69-3-321. Complaints against public utility--hearing

(1) The commission shall proceed, with or without notice, to make such investigation as it may deem necessary upon a complaint made against any public utility by any mercantile, agricultural, or manufacturing society or club; by any body politic or municipal organization or association, the same being interested; or by any person, firm, or corporation, provided such person, firm, or corporation is directly affected thereby, that:

(2) No order affecting such rates, tolls, charges, schedules, regulations, measurements, practices, or acts complained of shall be entered without a formal hearing, except the commission may issue an order to provide service to a residential consumer pending a hearing on a complaint by such consumer or by the consumer counsel on behalf of such consumer against a public utility, providing that the hearing is held within 20 days unless further delayed by consent of all parties.