Rhode Island General Laws Title 39. Public Utilities and Carriers § 39-3-11.1. Changes in rates of publicly owned water authorities

(a) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter, the commission shall not have the power to suspend the taking effect of any change or changes in the rates, tolls, and charges filed and published in compliance with the requirements of §§ 39-3-10 and 39-3-11 by any public waterworks or water service owned or furnished by a city, town, or any other municipal corporation defined as a public utility in § 39-1-2, when the change or changes are proposed to be made solely for the purpose of making payments or compensation to any city or town for reimbursement of any loans or advances of money previously issued to any public waterworks or water service by any city or town under existing contracts or arrangements; provided, however, that the change or changes shall take effect subject to refund or credit pending further investigation, hearing, and order by the commission within eight (8) months after the effective date. The public waterworks or water service shall file with the commission the new rate schedule along with the documentary evidence of the indebtedness supporting the new rates. Further, the rate schedule shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the service area by the waterworks or water service at least ten (10) days prior to the effective date thereof.

(b) The provisions of this section shall not be construed to bar recovery of loans or advances of money not otherwise reflected in existing rates, tolls, and charges issued to May 19, 1982.

(c) In setting rates for publicly owned water authorities, the commission shall not require the payment of rental fees for fire hydrants from any municipality that has prohibited such fees by ordinance as provided in § 45-39-4 and has given notice to the commission of the ordinance.