61-623 DETERMINATION OF SCHEDULE AND REGULAR RATES.
PUBLIC UTILITY REGULATION
CHAPTER 6
PROCEDURE BEFORE COMMISSION AND IN COURTS
61-623. Determination of schedule and regular rates. Whenever there shall be filed with the commission any schedule stating an individual or joint rate, fare, toll, rental, charge, classification, contract, practice, rule or regulation increasing or resulting in the increase of any rate, fare, toll, rental, or charge, the commission shall have power, and is hereby given authority, either upon complaint or upon its own initiative without complaint, at once, and if it so orders, without answer or other formal pleadings by the interested public utility or utilities, but upon reasonable notice, to enter upon a hearing concerning the propriety of such rate, fare, toll, rental, charge, classification, contract, practice, rule or regulation, and pending the hearing and decision thereon, such rate, fare, toll, rental, charge, classification, contract, practice, rule or regulation shall not go into effect: provided, that the period of suspension of such rate, fare, toll, rental, charge, classification, contract, practice, rule or regulation shall not extend beyond 120 days beyond the time when such rate, fare, toll, rental, charge, classification, contract, practice, rule or regulation would otherwise go into effect unless the commission in its discretion, extends the period of suspension for a further period not exceeding six (6) months: provided further, that prior to the expiration of said periods of suspension the commission may, with the consent in writing signed by the party filing such schedule, permanently or further suspend the same. On such hearing the commission shall establish the rates, fares, tolls, rentals, charges, classifications, contracts, practices, rules or regulations proposed, in whole or in part or others in lieu thereof, which it shall find to be just and reasonable. All such rates, fares, tolls, rentals, charges, classifications, contracts, practices, rules or regulations, not so suspended shall, on the expiration of thirty (30) days from the time of filing the same with the commission, or of such lesser time as the commission may grant, go into effect and be established and effective rates, fares, tolls, rentals, charges, classifications, contracts, practices, rules and regulations, subject to the power of the commission after a hearing had on its own motion or upon complaint, as herein provided to alter or modify the same.