The AI workspace for legal professionals
- Legal research with access to more than 1 million sources
- Document automation
- Matter management
- Hosted in the EU and Switzerland
Try it free for 14 days (10 questions/day during trial)
The AI workspace for legal professionals
Try it free for 14 days (10 questions/day during trial)
title-46•Title 46 — Public Utilities and Public Transportation
title-46Ga. Code Ann. tit. 46CodeJan 1, 1900
Official Code of Georgia Annotated — Title 46. Public Utilities and Public Transportation
Snapshot of the Georgia code as mirrored by FindLaw, current as of 2024-03-28.
As used in this title, the term:
(1) “Certificate” means a certificate of public convenience and necessity issued pursuant to this title.
(2) “Commission” means the Public Service Commission.
(3) “Company” shall include a corporation, a firm, a partnership, an association, or an individual.
(4) “Electric utility” means any retail supplier of electricity whose rates are fixed by the commission.
(5) “Gas company” means any person certificated under Article 2 of Chapter 4 of this title to construct or operate any pipeline or distribution system, or any extension thereof, for the transportation, distribution, or sale of natural or manufactured gas.
(6) “Person” means any individual, partnership, trust, private or public corporation, municipality, county, political subdivision, public authority, cooperative, association, or public or private organization of any character.
(7) “Railroad corporation” or “railroad company” means all corporations, companies, or individuals owning or operating any railroad in this state. This title shall apply to all persons, firms, and companies, and to all associations of persons, whether incorporated or otherwise, that engage in business as common carriers upon any of the lines of railroad in this state, as well as to railroad corporations and railroad companies as defined in this Code section.
(8) “Rate,” when used in this title with respect to an electric utility, means any rate, charge, classification, or service of an electric utility or any rule or regulation relating thereto.
(9) “Utility” means any person who is subject in any way to the lawful jurisdiction of the commission.
(a) As used in this Code section, the term “electric company” means all corporations engaged in the business of either generating or transmitting electricity for light, heat, power, or other commercial purposes.
(b) If any railroad company doing business in this state shall, in violation of any rule or regulation of the Public Service Commission, inflict any wrong or injury on any person, such person shall have a right of action and recovery for such wrong or injury in the county where the wrong or injury occurred and the damages which may be recovered in such actions shall be the same as in actions between individuals, provided that, in cases of willful violation of law, such railroad companies shall be liable for exemplary damages. All such actions under this subsection must be brought within 12 months after the commission of the alleged wrong or injury.
(c) Any railroad, electric company, or gas company shall be sued by anyone whose person or property has been injured by such railroad, electric company, or gas company, or by its officers, agents, or employees, for the purpose of recovering damages for such injuries, in the county in which the cause of action originated; and causes of actions on all contracts shall be brought in the county in which the contract in question is made or is to be performed. If the cause of action arises in a county where the railroad, electric company, or gas company liable to suit has no agent, service may be perfected by the issuance of a second original, to be served upon the company in the county of its principal office and place of business, if in this state, and if not, on any agent of such company. In the alternative, if the company has no agent in the county where the cause of action arises, an action may be brought in the county of the residence of such company.
(d) Whenever any:
(1) Railroad or electric company incorporated under the laws of this state acquires by purchase, lease, or otherwise the ownership or control of the line of railroad of a competing railroad company in this state, in violation of Article III, Section VI, Paragraph V(c) of the Constitution of the State of Georgia;
(2) Railroad or electric company incorporated under the laws of this state acquires by purchase, lease, or otherwise the ownership or control of the generating plant or transmission line of a competing electric company in this state, in violation of Article III, Section VI, Paragraph V(c) of the Constitution of the State of Georgia; or
(3) Gas company incorporated under the laws of this state acquires by purchase, lease, or otherwise the ownership or control of the natural gas pipeline or distribution system of a competing gas company in this state, in violation of Article III, Section VI, Paragraph V(c) of the Constitution of the State of Georgia;
the venue of an action brought against the railroad, electric company, or gas company for the purpose of setting aside and having annulled such unlawful act of acquisition shall be in any county through which may run the line of railroad or in any county through which may run the transmission line of such electric company or in any county in which may be located the generating plant of such electric company or in any county through which may run the natural gas pipeline or distribution system so unlawfully acquired.
(e) In any cause of action described in this Code section, any judgment rendered in any county other than one designated in this Code section shall be void.
(f) The venue provisions of this Code section shall apply to the following electric companies:
(1) An electric company owning a generating plant in one county and having its situs or principal office either in some other county of this state or beyond the limits of this state;
(2) An electric company operating a generating plant, whether under lease or otherwise, in one county and having its situs or principal office either in some other county of this state or beyond the limits of this state;
(3) An electric company owning a transmission line located in one county and having its situs or principal office in some other county of this state or beyond the limits of this state;
(4) An electric company operating, whether under lease or otherwise, a transmission line located in one county and having its situs or principal office in some other county of this state or beyond the limits of this state;
(5) An electric company owning a transmission line located in, or extending through, more than one county; and
(6) An electric company operating, whether under lease or otherwise, a transmission line located in or extending through more than one county.
(g) The venue provisions of this Code section shall apply to the following gas companies:
(1) A gas company owning a natural gas pipeline or distribution system located in one county and having its situs or principal office in some other county of this state or beyond the limits of this state; and
(2) A gas company owning a natural gas pipeline or distribution system located in, or extending through, more than one county.
Notwithstanding the placement of any provision of law within this title, the powers granted by provisions of one Code section shall be applicable to any other company or entity regulated by the commission, where applicable.
Unless otherwise provided by Georgia law and not preempted by federal law or unless provided or allowed by federal law, the provisions of this title relating to carriers engaged in the transportation of passengers or goods within this state shall not apply to carriers engaged in interstate commerce.
By March 2, 1982, the Department of Human Resources (now known as the Department of Human Services) shall develop a program to identify those low or fixed income consumers of gas and electric utility service who, in the department's opinion, should benefit from public assistance in paying their bills for gas and electric service. The department shall also establish an efficient and economical method for distributing to such consumers all public assistance funds which will be made available, whether by appropriations of state or federal funds, grants, or otherwise. All gas and electric utilities shall cooperate fully with the department in developing and implementing its program. Nothing in this Code section shall limit the commission's authority to order regulatory alternatives which assist low or fixed income ratepayers.
(a) As used in this Code section, the term:
(1) “Governmental entity” means any:
(A) Municipality, public corporation, political subdivision, instrumentality, body politic, authority, district, consolidated government, county, or any board, commission, agency, department, or board of any such entity;
(B) State board, commission, agency, department, or board; or
(C) Other form of government.
(2) “Policy” means an ordinance, resolution, regulation, code, or any other requirement imposed by a governmental entity.
(b) No governmental entity of this state shall adopt any policy that restricts or prohibits, or has the effect of restricting or prohibiting, based on the type or source of energy or fuel to be delivered or the appliance to be used:
(1) The connection or reconnection of a customer to an electric utility, gas company, or natural, manufactured, or liquefied petroleum gas service;
(2) Sales of liquefied petroleum gas, including, but not limited to, directly to a consumer by a retail establishment; or
(3) Sales of other liquefied petroleum products.
(c) Nothing in this Code section shall limit the ability of a governmental entity to choose utility services for properties owned by such governmental entity.
(a) The Georgia Public Service Commission shall consist of five members to be elected as provided in this Code section. The members in office on January 1, 2022, and any member appointed or elected to fill a vacancy in such membership prior to the expiration of a term of office shall continue to serve out their respective terms of office. As terms of office expire, new members elected to the commission shall be required to be residents of one of five Public Service Commission Districts as hereafter provided, but each member of the commission shall be elected state wide by the qualified voters of this state who are entitled to vote for members of the General Assembly. Except as otherwise provided in this Code section, the election shall be held under the same rules and regulations as apply to the election of Governor. The Commissioners, who shall give their entire time to the duties of their offices, shall be elected at the general election next preceding the expiration of the terms of office of the respective incumbents. Their terms of office shall be six years and shall expire on December 31.
(b) In order to be elected as a member of the commission from a Public Service Commission District, a person shall have resided in that district for at least 12 months prior to election thereto. A person elected as a member of the commission from a Public Service Commission District by the voters of Georgia shall continue to reside in that district during the person's term of office, or that office shall thereupon become vacant.
(c) For the purpose of electing the members of the Public Service Commission, this state shall be divided into five Public Service Commission Districts described as follows:
District 001
Appling County
Atkinson County
Bacon County
Baker County
Baldwin County
Ben Hill County
Berrien County
Bibb County
Bleckley County
Brantley County
Brooks County
Bryan County
Calhoun County
Camden County
Charlton County
Chattahoochee County
Clay County
Clinch County
Coffee County
Colquitt County
Cook County
Crawford County
Crisp County
Decatur County
Dodge County
Dooly County
Dougherty County
Early County
Echols County
Evans County
Glynn County
Grady County
Harris County
Houston County
Irwin County
Jeff Davis County
Johnson County
Jones County
Lanier County
Laurens County
Lee County
Liberty County
Long County
Lowndes County
Macon County
Marion County
McIntosh County
Miller County
Mitchell County
Monroe County
Montgomery County
Muscogee County
Peach County
Pierce County
Pulaski County
Quitman County
Randolph County
Schley County
Seminole County
Stewart County
Sumter County
Talbot County
Tattnall County
Taylor County
Telfair County
Terrell County
Thomas County
Tift County
Toombs County
Treutlen County
Turner County
Twiggs County
Ware County
Wayne County
Webster County
Wheeler County
Wilcox County
Wilkinson County
Worth County
District 002
Banks County
Barrow County
Bulloch County
Burke County
Butts County
Candler County
Chatham County
Clarke County
Columbia County
Effingham County
Elbert County
Emanuel County
Glascock County
Greene County
Hancock County
Hart County
Henry County
Jackson County
Jasper County
Jefferson County
Jenkins County
Lincoln County
Madison County
McDuffie County
Morgan County
Newton County
Oconee County
Oglethorpe County
Putnam County
Richmond County
Rockdale County
Screven County
Spalding County
Taliaferro County
Walton County
Warren County
Washington County
Wilkes County
District 003
Clayton County
DeKalb County
Fulton County
District 004
Cherokee County
Dawson County
Fannin County
Forsyth County
Franklin County
Gilmer County
Gwinnett County
Habersham County
Hall County
Lumpkin County
Murray County
Pickens County
Rabun County
Stephens County
Towns County
Union County
White County
Whitfield County
District 005
Bartow County
Carroll County
Catoosa County
Chattooga County
Cobb County
Coweta County
Dade County
Douglas County
Fayette County
Floyd County
Gordon County
Haralson County
Heard County
Lamar County
Meriwether County
Paulding County
Pike County
Polk County
Troup County
Upson County
Walker County
(d) The first members of the commission elected under this Code section shall be elected thereto on the Tuesday next following the first Monday in November, 2024, from Public Service Commission Districts 3 and 5, shall take office on the first day of January immediately following that election, and shall serve for terms of office of six years and until the election and qualification of their respective successors. Those members of the commission elected thereto on the Tuesday next following the first Monday in November, 2026, from Public Service Commission Districts 1 and 4 shall take office on the first day of January immediately following that election and shall serve for terms of office of six years and until the election and qualification of their respective successors. The member of the commission elected thereto on the Tuesday next following the first Monday in November, 2022, from Public Service Commission District 2 shall take office on the first day of January immediately following that election and shall serve for a term of office of six years and until the election and qualification of his or her respective successor. All future successors to members of the commission whose terms of office are to expire shall be elected at the state-wide general election immediately preceding the expiration of such terms, shall take office on the first day of January immediately following that election, and shall serve for terms of office of six years.
(a) Any person who is at least 30 years of age, is qualified to vote as an elector, and is not directly or indirectly interested in any mercantile business or any corporation that is controlled by or that participates in the benefit of any pool, combination, trust, contract, or arrangement that has the effect of increasing or tending to increase the cost to the public of carriage, heat, light, power, or any commodity or merchandise sold to the public shall be eligible for membership on the commission, without regard to his experience in law or in the utility or transportation business.
(b) During their terms of office, the Commissioners shall not, jointly or severally, or in any way, be the holders of any stock or bonds, or be agents or employees of any company, or have any interest in any company under the jurisdiction of the commission. If any Commissioner becomes disqualified in any way, he shall at once remove the disqualification or resign; and on failure to do so he shall be suspended from office by the Governor.
The Commissioners shall take an oath of office, the wording of which shall be determined by the Governor.
Any vacancy in the commission shall be filled by the Governor. Any person so appointed shall hold his office until the next regular general election and until his successor for the balance of the unexpired term has been elected and has qualified.
(a) There shall be a chairperson of the commission. The chairperson shall be selected by a simple majority of the members of the commission. The chairperson serving on December 31, 2012, shall serve for a term of office as chairperson until January 1, 2013, or until his or her term as a member of the commission shall expire, whichever is shorter. Each subsequent chairperson shall serve for a two-year term of office as chairperson or until his or her term as a member of the commission shall expire, whichever is shorter. Any four members of the commission may call for an election of a chairperson at any time prior to the end of the term of a chairperson; provided, however, that such elections shall not be held more than twice per calendar year, except in the case of a vacancy by the chairperson; and provided, further, that any chairperson so elected shall serve for a two-year term of office as chairperson or until his or her term as a member of the commission shall expire, whichever is shorter. No commissioner shall be elected or serve as chairperson for more than two consecutive terms.
(b) The chairperson shall give his or her entire time to the duties of the office.
The salary of each Commissioner shall be as provided in Code Section 45-7-4, provided that nothing in this Code section or in Code Section 46-2-5 shall entitle an emeritus commissioner to a salary greater than $12,000.00 per annum.
The commission shall have power to employ such officers, experts, engineers, statisticians, accountants, inspectors, clerks, and other employees as it may deem necessary to perform the duties and exercise the powers conferred by law upon the commission. The compensation of such employees shall be fixed by the commission at such sums as it may deem reasonable and proper.
(a) On or before July 1, 1981, the commission shall employ a director of utilities, who shall serve at the pleasure of the commission and whose salary shall be set by the commission.
(b) The director of utilities shall:
(1) Direct the activities of the utility divisions and sections;
(2) Manage and coordinate the commission's preparation of rate cases;
(3) Schedule and coordinate all in-house, reactive, regular, and engineering audits;
(4) Direct all utility personnel and the preparation of that section of the commission's budget; and
(5) Perform such other duties as the commission may establish by order.
(a) On or before September 1, 1981, the commission shall employ a public information officer, who shall serve at the pleasure of the commission.
(b) The public information officer shall:
(1) Report directly to the executive secretary;
(2) Maintain the commission's public information files;
(3) Coordinate official commission press releases and media relations; and
(4) Perform such other duties as the executive secretary may establish.
The salaries fixed by the commission for its officers, experts, engineers, statisticians, accountants, inspectors, clerks, and other employees, and fixed by Code Section 45-7-4 for Commissioners, shall be paid monthly from the funds provided for the use of the commission after being approved by the commission. All expenses incurred by the commission, including the actual and necessary traveling and other expenses and disbursements of the Commissioners, and of officers and employees, incurred while on business of the commission, shall be paid from the funds provided for the use of the commission after being approved by the commission. The necessary expenses of conducting the business of the commission and the salaries of the Commissioners shall be provided for by appropriations made for such purposes. The funds assessed and collected as provided in Code Section 46-2-10 shall be specially designated as the Public Service Commission Fund and shall be expended only as provided and directed in this title.
(a) The domicile of the commission is fixed at the capital; and no courts of this state other than those of Fulton County shall have or take jurisdiction in any action brought or instituted against the commission or on account of any of its orders or rules, provided that nothing in this Code section shall prevent the courts of the county in which is located the principal office of a business entity regulated by the commission from having or taking jurisdiction in any action brought or instituted against that business entity as a result of any such commission order or rule.
(b) The commission shall be furnished with necessary furniture and stationery and an office in Atlanta.
(a) There shall be paid by all public service corporations and utilities which are subject to the jurisdiction of the Public Service Commission a special fee in addition to all other fees required by law. Such fee shall be fixed by the state revenue commissioner upon each of such public service corporations or utilities according to the gross revenues of each such public service corporation or utility resulting from intrastate service regulated by the commission, as ascertained by the state revenue commissioner from reports filed with the state revenue commissioner by such public service corporations and utilities and from gross revenues reported for income tax purposes pursuant to Chapter 7 of Title 48, and shall be apportioned among such public service corporations or utilities upon the basis of such gross revenues so as to produce a revenue of $1,050,000.00 per annum. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Code section, the gross revenues of a telephone utility shall not include revenues of such a utility received from the collection of interstate tolls, interstate access or subscriber line charges, interstate call charges, amounts paid by a telecommunications service provider to any other telecommunications service provider for carrier access charges, or any charges for any unregulated services. Any revenues collected by a local exchange company as a billing and collection agent shall be excluded from the calculation of the gross revenues of the local exchange company.
(b)(1) Not later than December 1, 1994, the state revenue commissioner shall notify each public service corporation or utility of the state of the amount due by it under this Code section, and the fee shall be paid into the general fund of the state by January 20, 1995. Such sum of $1,050,000.00 shall be available for appropriation in an amount sufficient to cover the cost of operating the Public Service Commission.
(2) Effective January 1, 1995, not later than April 1 of each year, the state revenue commissioner shall notify each public service corporation or utility of the state of the amount due by it under this Code section, and the fee shall be paid into the general fund of the state by July 1 of such year. Such sum of $1,050,000.00 shall be available for appropriation in an amount sufficient to cover the cost of operating the Public Service Commission.
(c) In case of default in payment by any public service corporation or utility of the fee provided for in this Code section, the state revenue commissioner shall proceed to collect the same in the same manner as franchise taxes are collected.
(a) Except as otherwise provided by law, the commission shall have the general supervision of all common carriers, express companies, railroad or street railroad companies, dock or wharfage companies, terminal or terminal station companies, telephone companies, gas or electric light and power companies, and persons or private companies who operate rapid rail passenger service lines within this state; provided, however, that nothing in this subsection shall be deemed to extend the jurisdiction of the commission to include the operations of the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority created in an Act approved March 10, 1965 (Ga. L. 1965, p. 2243), as amended.
(b) The commission may hear complaints; in addition, it is also authorized to perform the duties imposed upon it of its own initiative.
(c) The commission may, either by general rules or by special orders in particular cases, require all companies under its supervision to establish and maintain such public services and facilities as may be reasonable and just.
(d) The commission may require common carriers and persons or private companies who operate rapid rail passenger service lines to publish their schedules in newspapers of towns through which their lines extend, in such manner as may be reasonable and as the public convenience demands.
(e) The commission shall have authority to examine the affairs of all companies under its supervision and to keep informed as to their general condition, their capitalization, their franchises, and the manner in which the lines owned, leased, or controlled by them are managed, conducted, and operated, not only with respect to the adequacy, security, and accommodation afforded by their service to the public and their employees but also with reference to their compliance with all laws, orders of the commission, and charter requirements.
(f) The commission shall have the power and authority, whenever it deems advisable, to prescribe, establish, and order a uniform system of accounts to be used by railroads and other companies over which it has jurisdiction, the same to be, as far as practicable, in conformity with the system of accounts prescribed by the Interstate Commerce Commission. The commission shall also have the power and authority to examine all books, contracts, records, papers, and documents of any person subject to its supervision and to compel the production thereof.
(g) The commission shall have the power, through any of its members, at its discretion, to make personal visits to the offices and places of business of the companies under its supervision for the purpose of examination. Any Commissioner making a personal visit pursuant to this subsection shall have full power and authority to examine the agents and employees of any such company, under oath or otherwise, in order to procure information deemed by the Commissioner necessary to the work of the commission or of value to the public.
(h) Nothing in this Code section shall be so construed as to repeal or abrogate any existing law or rule of the commission as to notice or hearings to be accorded to any person interested in the rates fixed by, or in the orders, rules, or regulations promulgated by, the commission before the same are issued. Neither shall anything in this Code section repeal the law of this state as to notice by publication of a change in rates.
(i) The commission shall have the power and authority to prescribe rules and regulations for the safe installation and safe operation of all natural gas transmission and distribution facilities within this state, including, without limitation, all natural gas transmission and distribution facilities which are owned and operated by municipalities within this state.
(j) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the authority and jurisdiction of the commission shall not extend to persons or companies who are engaged in the retail sale of natural gas to the public for use as a fuel in motor vehicles and who are not otherwise subject to the authority and jurisdiction of the commission.
(a) As used in this Code section, the term:
(1) “Community charging equipment” means an electric vehicle charging station that has been approved for placement in service by the commission.
(2) “Electric utility” shall have the same meaning as set forth in Code Section 46-1-1.
(3) “Electric vehicle” shall have the same meaning as set forth in Code Section 10-1-220.
(4) “Electric vehicle charging services” means the charging of electric vehicles from an electric vehicle charging station.
(5) “Electric vehicle charging station” shall have the same meaning as set forth in Code Section 10-1-220.
(6) “Premises” shall have the same meaning as provided in Code Section 46-3-3.
(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the provision of electric vehicle charging services by a person not otherwise subject to the jurisdiction of the commission shall not be considered a service of an electric utility subject to the authority and jurisdiction of the commission. The supply of electricity by an electric utility subject to Part 1 of Article 1 of Chapter 3 of this title, the “Georgia Territorial Electric Service Act,” to premises that are electric vehicle charging stations shall constitute the furnishing of service under Part 1 of Article 1 of Chapter 3 of this title, the “Georgia Territorial Electric Service Act,” and shall be considered a sale at retail within the meaning of Code Section 48-8-2. The mere provision of electric vehicle charging services alone shall not violate Part 1 of Article 1 of Chapter 3 of this title, the “Georgia Territorial Electric Service Act,” so long as the provision of such services occurs upon the same parcel of property as the electric vehicle charging station.
(c) No electric vehicle charging station that is publicly available, except for community charging equipment, shall be provided, owned, operated, or maintained by an electric utility unless such electric vehicle charging station is provided, owned, operated, and maintained by a separate legal entity not subject to the authority of and regulation by the commission.
(d) An electric utility's rates, terms, and conditions of service for the provider of any electric vehicle charging services shall be the same as the rates, terms, and conditions of service for any electric vehicle charging stations operated pursuant to subsection (c) of this Code section.
(a) The powers and duties conferred by law prior to August 23, 1907, upon the commission and its authority and control shall extend to street railroads and to companies owning, leasing, or operating street railroads in this state, provided that nothing in this Code section shall be construed to impair any valid contract between any municipality and any such company in force on that date; provided, further, that this Code section shall not operate to repeal any municipal ordinance existing on that date; nor shall it impair or invalidate any contract or ordinance of any municipality made or adopted since that date as to the public uses of such company, which contract or ordinance has received the assent of the commission.
(b) The powers and duties conferred by law prior to August 23, 1907, upon the commission and its authority and control shall also extend to:
(1) Docks and wharves, and companies owning, leasing, or operating the same;
(2) Terminals or terminal stations, and companies owning, leasing, or operating the same;
(3) Cotton compress corporations or associations, and companies owning, leasing, or operating the same;
(4) Telegraph or telephone companies, or persons owning, leasing, or operating a public telephone service or telephone lines in this state; and
(5) Gas and electric light and power companies, or persons owning, leasing, or operating public gas plants or electric light and power plants furnishing service to the public.
(a) The commission shall have exclusive power to determine what are just and reasonable rates and charges to be made by any person, firm, or corporation subject to its jurisdiction.
(b) As to those telecommunications companies subject to the jurisdiction of the commission, the commission is not required to fix and determine specific rates, tariffs, or charges for the services offered by said telecommunications companies and in lieu thereof may on application of an interested party or on its own motion after public notice and hearing:
(1) Totally deregulate a service;
(2) Totally eliminate any tariffs on a service;
(3) Eliminate tariff rates for a service but retain tariffs for service standards and requirements; or
(4) Eliminate tariff rates for a service but require that notice of any rate changes be provided to the commission.
(c) In determining what actions, if any, are to be taken on applications under subsection (b) of this Code section, the commission shall conduct hearings at which it shall consider the following factors:
(1) The extent to which competing telecommunications services are available from competitive providers in the relevant geographic market;
(2) The ability of competitive providers to make functionally equivalent or substitute services readily available;
(3) The number and size of competitive providers of service;
(4) The overall impact of the proposed regulatory change on the continued availability of existing services at just and reasonable rates;
(5) The impact of the proposed regulatory change upon efforts to promote universal availability of basic telecommunications services at affordable rates and to permit telecommunications companies subject to the jurisdiction of the commission to respond to competitive thrusts; and
(6) Such other factors as the commission may determine are in the public interest.
(d) Nothing in this Code section shall authorize the application of subsection (b) of this Code section to any service unless functionally equivalent or substitute services are readily available from competitive providers in the relevant geographic market. This finding must be made on the record after public hearing.
(e) Any telecommunications service deregulated or detariffed under this Code section may be reregulated or resubjected to tariffing by the commission if the commission finds, through a proceeding initiated on its own or upon application by an interested party, that such reregulation or retariffing is in the public interest.
(f) Nothing in this Code section shall be interpreted as requiring the commission to alter, amend, or repeal any rule or regulation which relates to any telecommunications company and which has been adopted by the commission or which is under consideration for adoption by the commission as of April 14, 1988.
(g) No telecommunications company may use current revenues earned or expenses incurred in conjunction with services subject to regulation to subsidize services which are not regulated or tariffed. The commission may adopt procedural rules as necessary to implement this subsection.
(a) As used in this Code section, the term “alternative form of regulation” means a method of establishing just and reasonable rates and charges for a gas company by performance based regulation without regard to methods based strictly upon cost of service, rate base, and rate of return. Performance based regulation may include without limitation one or more of the following features: earnings sharing, price caps, price-indexing formulas, ranges of authorized rates of return, and the reduction or suspension of regulatory requirements.
(b) A gas company may from time to time file an application with the commission to have its rates, charges, classifications, and services regulated under an alternative form of regulation. Within ten days of the filing, the gas company shall publish a notice generally describing the application in a newspaper or newspapers with general circulation in its service territory.
(c) After notice and hearing the commission may approve the plan, or approve it with modifications, if the commission determines that the application is in the public interest and will produce just and reasonable rates, after taking into consideration the extent to which the application:
(1) Is designed to and is likely to produce lower prices for consumers of natural gas in Georgia;
(2) Will provide incentives for the gas company to lower its costs and rates;
(3) Will provide incentives to improve the efficiency and productivity of the gas company;
(4) Will foster the long-term provision of natural gas service in a manner that will improve the quality and choices of service;
(5) Is consistent with maintenance and enhancement of safe, adequate, and reliable service and will maintain or improve preexisting service quality and consumer protection safeguards;
(6) Will not result in cross-subsidization among or between groups of gas company customers;
(7) Will not result in cross-subsidization among or between the portion of the gas company's business or operations subject to the alternative form of regulation and any unregulated portion of the business or operations of the gas company or of any of its affiliates;
(8) Will reduce regulatory delay and cost; and
(9) Will tend to enhance economic activity in the affected service territory.
(d) Performance based regulation adopted by the commission as an alternative form of regulation shall provide for the following:
(1) Equal and symmetric opportunities to earn above and below the performance standard;
(2) Performance incentives based upon conditions within the control of the management of the gas company; and
(3) Adjustments from time to time for the net effect of changes in tax rates, other costs imposed by law, and the cost of capital.
(e) Where an application for an alternative form of regulation has been filed by a gas company and the commission determines that the proposal does not satisfy the requirements of this Code section, it may either reject the proposal or issue an order approving an alternative with such modifications as the commission deems necessary to satisfy the requirements of this Code section. The commission shall determine and prescribe in any such order establishing rates and charges the revenue requirements of the gas company filing the application.
(f) An order adopting an alternative form of regulation may include:
(1) Terms and conditions for establishing new services, withdrawing services, price changes to services, and services by contract to individual customers;
(2) Terms and conditions necessary to achieve the objectives contained in subsection (c) of this Code section;
(3) General or specific authorization for changes in rates, charges, classifications, or services such that the provisions of subsection (a) of Code Section 46-2-25 do not require 30 days' notice and commission approval before such change or changes may go into effect; and
(4) Other rates, terms, and conditions that are consistent with the objectives and requirements of subsection (c) of this Code section.
(g) Except as otherwise provided in this Code section, the provisions of this title relating to the rates, charges, and terms of service of a gas company shall apply to rates, charges, and terms of service established pursuant to this Code section.
(h) Any special or negotiated contract between a gas company and a retail customer approved by the commission shall not be invalidated or modified by the provisions of this Code section.
(i)(1) Neither the provisions of this Code section nor the provisions of Article 5 of Chapter 4 of this title shall prohibit a gas company from releasing interstate pipeline capacity available to it from time to time and not required to serve the requirements of its retail customers and marketers and from making sales of gas with or without interstate transportation capacity to municipal corporations, other local gas distribution companies, or marketers and end users connected to an interstate pipeline company or connected to another local distribution company; provided, however, that where net benefits to the firm retail customers who are receiving commodity sales service from the gas company accrue:
(A) Twenty percent of the revenues from the release of interstate pipeline capacity for the purposes of transporting gas to end users in Georgia shall be allocated to the gas company, and the remaining 80 percent of such revenues shall be credited to the costs of gas sold by the gas company to firm retail customers;
(B) Ten percent of the revenues from the release of interstate pipeline capacity for the purpose of transporting gas to end users outside of Georgia shall be allocated to the gas company, and the remaining 90 percent of such revenues shall be credited to the costs of gas sold by the gas company to firm retail customers; and
(C) Fifty percent of the net margin from the sale of gas, with or without interstate capacity, to municipal corporations, other local gas distribution companies, or marketers and end users connected to an interstate pipeline company or connected to another local distribution company shall be allocated to the gas company, and the remaining 50 percent of such net margins shall be credited to the costs of gas sold by the gas company to firm retail customers; provided, however, that if as a result of such sale, the then existing natural gas requirements of retail customers in Georgia cannot be supplied physically, all of such net margin shall be credited to the costs of gas. The net margin shall be calculated by subtracting all variable costs associated with the transaction from the revenues generated by the transaction. The costs recovered by the gas company through such transactions shall be credited to the gas costs payable by retail customers of the gas company.
(2) Where a universal service fund has been created by the commission pursuant to Code Section 46-4-161 for a gas company which is an electing distribution company, as defined in paragraph (10) of Code Section 46-4-152, the shares that are to be credited to the costs of gas sold to firm retail customers under subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C) of paragraph (1) of this subsection shall be allocated to such fund, and the costs recovered through a transaction described in subparagraph (C) of this subsection shall be allocated to such company.
(3) Any gas company which engages in a transaction of a type described in paragraph (1) of this subsection, which results in the allocation to the gas company of a share of the revenues or net margin therefrom, shall make a report to the commission annually describing each such transaction and explaining the benefits resulting to firm retail customers from each such transaction.
In determining what are just and reasonable rates and charges to be made by any person, firm, or corporation (referred to in this Code section as a “utility”) subject to its jurisdiction, the commission is authorized and is directed to consider the quality of the service rendered by such utility.
(a) No person, firm, or corporation (referred to in this Code section as a “utility”) subject to the jurisdiction of the commission shall make any change in any rate, charge, classification, or service subject to the jurisdiction of the commission, or in any rule or regulation relating thereto, except after 30 days' notice to the commission and to the public, unless the commission otherwise orders, or unless the commission has previously authorized or approved the change. Such notice shall be given by filing with the commission and keeping open for public inspection new schedules stating plainly the changes to be made in the schedules then in force and the time when the changes will go into effect. The commission, for good cause shown, may allow changes to take effect without requiring the 30 days' notice by an order specifying the changes to be made, the time when they shall take effect, and the manner in which they shall be filed and published.
(b) Whenever any new schedule is filed pursuant to subsection (a) of this Code section, the commission shall have authority, either upon written complaint or upon its own initiative without complaint, at once, and, if it so orders, without answer or formal pleading by the utility but upon reasonable notice, to enter upon a hearing concerning the lawfulness of such rate, charge, classification, or service. Pending such hearing and the decision thereon, the commission, upon filing with such schedule and delivering to the utility affected thereby a statement in writing of its reasons for such suspension, may suspend the operation of such schedule and defer the use of such rate, charge, classification, or service, but not for a period longer than five months beyond the time when it would otherwise go into effect, provided that the commission may apply to the Superior Court of Fulton County for an extension of such period, as provided for in Code Section 46-2-57. After such hearings as are required, whether they are completed before or after the rate, charge, classification, or service goes into effect, the commission may make such orders as are proper with reference thereto within the authority vested in the commission. The commission is empowered to reduce or revoke any such suspension with respect to all or any part of such schedule. If the proceeding has not been concluded and an order not made at the expiration of the suspension period, the proposed change of rate, charge, classification, or service shall go into effect at the end of such period; but in case of a proposed increased rate or charge, the commission shall by order require the interested utility to keep accurate account in detail of all amounts received by reason of such increase, specifying by whom and in whose behalf such amounts were paid; and upon completion of the hearing and the rendering of a decision, the commission shall by further order require such utility to refund, with interest at the maximum legal rate, in such manner as the commission may direct, such portion of such increased rates or charges as by its decision shall be found not justified. Any portion of such refunds not thus refunded to patrons or customers of the utility shall be refunded or disposed of by the utility as the commission may direct, provided that no such funds shall accrue to the benefit of the utility. At any hearing involving a rate or charge sought to be increased, the burden of proof to show that the increased rate or charge is just and reasonable shall be upon the utility, and the commission shall give to the hearing and decision of such questions preference over other questions pending before it and decide the same as speedily as possible.
(c) Before any increased rate or charge shall go into effect without the approval of the commission, the commission shall by order require the interested utility to file with the commission a bond written by a surety who is approved by the commission and who is authorized to transact business in this state. The bond shall be fixed by the commission in an amount not to exceed $250,000.00. The bond shall be payable to the Governor and conditioned upon the faithful performance of the requirements of the refund order entered by the commission, the requirements of this Code section, and the requirements of the rules and regulations of the commission.
(c.1)(1) Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, a utility shall recover from its customers, as provided in this subsection, the costs of financing associated with the construction of a nuclear generating plant which has been certified by the commission prior to January 1, 2018. The financing charges shall accrue on all applicable certified costs as they are recorded in the utility's construction work in progress accounts pursuant to generally accepted accounting and regulatory principles as approved by the commission. The financing costs shall be based on the utility's actual cost of debt, as reflected in its annual surveillance report filed with the commission, and based on the authorized cost of equity capital and capital structure as determined by the commission when setting the utility's current base rates. These financing costs shall be recovered from each customer through a separate rate tariff and allocated on an equal percentage basis to standard base tariffs which are designed to collect embedded capacity costs. The commission shall retain the discretion to consider the effect of this tariff when setting the level of any senior or low income assistance it may authorize; provided, however, that the income qualification for such assistance shall be 200 percent of the federal poverty level.
(2) The commission shall have the authority to authorize any specific accounting treatment for the costs recovered pursuant to this subsection and to review whether costs recovered pursuant to this subsection are being properly recorded.
(3)(A) For any nuclear generating plant certified by the commission on or after July 1, 2009, the utility may begin recovering the costs of financing the construction of the nuclear generating plant at any time within five years after the date on which such nuclear generating plant is certified. Any such costs incurred between the time the plant is certified and the time the utility begins recovering its cost shall be accrued, capitalized, and included in the balance of the account and then amortized over the next five years following the date on which the utility begins recovering the costs of financing the construction and shall be recovered with one-fifth of those deferred costs being recovered each year for five years.
(B) For any nuclear generating plant certified by the commission on or after January 1, 2009, and before July 1, 2009, the utility shall begin recovering on January 1, 2011, any costs of financing the construction of the nuclear generating plant. Any such costs incurred prior to January 1, 2011, shall be accrued, capitalized, and included in the balance of the account and then amortized over the next five years following January 1, 2011, and shall be recovered with one-fifth of those deferred costs being recovered each year for five years.
(4) The costs recoverable pursuant to this subsection shall be recalculated and the level of the charges reset annually if necessary to reflect the level of construction costs expected to be incurred in the next 12 months consistent with the certificate and the financing costs expected to be incurred for the next 12 months together with a balanced accounting of actual expenditures and financing costs incurred in the preceding period.
(5) The financing costs associated with a nuclear generating plant which has been certified by the commission shall continue to be recovered between the time that the generating plant begins commercial operation and until the next general rate case filed by the utility becomes effective, at which time the financing costs being collected for any generating plants which are then in commercial operation shall be included in the general revenue requirements of the utility and collected in the general base rates of the utility.
(d) Any action taken by the commission under this Code section shall be reduced to writing by the commission and signed by the chairman and secretary thereof. All such actions and orders shall be effective from the date such actions are reduced to writing and are signed as provided by this subsection. No such action or order of the commission may be given retroactive effect. A full and complete record shall be kept of the votes taken in connection with any such action, said record to be entered upon the official minutes of the commission.
(e) Nothing in this Code section shall be construed as limiting the authority granted to the commission by Code Sections 46-2-20 and 46-2-23 to initiate an earnings review hearing.
(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this Code section, on and after July 1, 1990, the commission shall not approve any rate schedule which authorizes a long-distance charge for calls between two telephones within the same county. Where two or more telephone companies operate in the same county, each company shall provide county-wide local calling to and from telephones within the area served by the other company or companies in the county. Rate schedules approved prior to July 1, 1990, shall be amended to comply with this Code section by not later than July 1, 1991.
(b) All rate schedules approved pursuant to this Code section may be modified at the discretion of the commission upon a good and sufficient showing of geographic, economic, or technological infeasibility by a telephone company.
(c) All rate schedules approved pursuant to this Code section shall take into account the following:
(1) The reasonable cost of providing such service to customers of the telephone company throughout the entire service area of such telephone company and the increased value resulting from such expanded calling areas;
(2) The average annual contributions made by such telephone company to the intra-LATA toll pool if such pool exists; and
(3) The reasonable rate of return on investment authorized in the rate schedule approved by the commission for such telephone company.
(d) The commission shall, on or before December 31, 1990, implement a plan whereby all telephone companies subject to its jurisdiction will provide to each telephone subscriber, in addition to its present service arrangements and the intracounty service mandated under the provisions of this Code section, expanded community of interest toll free calling beyond county boundary lines and/or a reduction in intra-LATA toll rates to a level comparable to present inter-LATA toll rates.
(e) Any plan to implement county-wide local calling shall be subject to the approval of the commission. In developing a plan, the commission shall require telephone companies to enter into negotiations to provide for county-wide local calling throughout their service areas. If the companies are unable to reach an agreement within a time frame consistent with the requirements of this Code section and the instructions of the commission, the commission may impose its own plan. The commission shall have the authority to determine the method of funding this service. In determining the method of funding this service, the commission shall first utilize any available earnings of the telephone companies in excess of those authorized in their respective tariffs; provided, however, that the commission shall not mandate any plan that requires the transfer of funds to implement county-wide local calling from one telephone company to another unless or until all other remedies are exhausted. Any telephone company seeking to recover any portion of its expenses or lost toll revenues resulting from the implementation of such county-wide local calling plan shall demonstrate its financial hardship to the commission before such recovery shall be allowed. It shall be within the discretion of the commission to determine the methodology and source of recovery for any such affected telephone company. Such methodology and source may include, but not be limited to, increases in the affected telephone company's rates and charges, sharing of lost revenues and increased expenses by any other telephone company included in the plan under review, and any other methodology which has as its goal the maintenance of reasonable telephone rates for all subscribers in the state.
(f) The commission shall be authorized to consider and adopt alternative forms of regulation for telephone companies which may include, but will not be limited to, establishing plans which require the sharing with its subscribers of telephone company earnings above preestablished levels or regulating the maximum prices of basic local exchange services for which there are no readily available substitutes. In determining what actions, if any, are to be taken under this subsection, the commission shall consider the factors contained in subsection (c) of Code Section 46-2-23.
(g) Nothing in this Code section shall be interpreted as amending, modifying, or repealing Code Section 46-2-23, relating to the rate-making power of the commission generally and special provisions concerning telecommunications companies.
(a) It is the goal of this Code section to provide for toll-free calling between two telephones where the central offices serving such telephones are within 16 miles of each other.
(b) Except as provided in subsection (e) of this Code section, on and after July 1, 1992, the Public Service Commission shall not approve any new rate schedule which authorizes a long-distance charge for calls between two telephones where the central offices serving such telephones are within 16 miles of each other.
(c) Except as provided in subsection (e) of this Code section, on and after July 1, 1992, rate schedules approved by the Public Service Commission prior to July 1, 1992, shall be amended so as to reduce by one-half the long-distance charge for calls between two telephones where the central offices serving such telephones are within 16 miles of each other.
(d) On or before July 1, 1993, the Public Service Commission shall conduct hearings and accept evidence and upon consideration of such evidence shall determine any further reductions in long-distance charges for calls between two telephones where the central offices serving such telephones are within 16 miles of each other. Such determination shall consider the availability of funds and other revenue sources to affected companies to offset the costs associated with such further reductions.
(e) All rate schedules approved pursuant to this Code section may be modified at the discretion of the Public Service Commission upon a good and sufficient showing of geographic, economic, or technological infeasibility by a telephone company.
(f) All rate schedules approved pursuant to this Code section shall take into account the following:
(1) The reasonable cost of providing such service to customers of the telephone company throughout the entire service area of such telephone company and the increased value resulting from such expanded calling areas; and
(2) The reasonable rate of return on investment authorized in the rate schedule approved by the Public Service Commission for such telephone company.
(g) Any telephone company seeking to recover any portion of its expenses or lost toll revenues resulting from the implementation of the 16 mile toll free calling plan contained in this Code section shall demonstrate its financial hardship to the Public Service Commission before such recovery shall be allowed. It shall be within the discretion of the Public Service Commission to determine the methodology and source of recovery for any such affected telephone company. In determining the method of offsetting the costs associated with the 16 mile plan, the Public Service Commission shall first utilize any available earnings at the telephone companies seeking assistance in excess of those authorized in their respective tariffs. Such methodology and source for offsetting costs shall include but not be limited to recovery from the Universal Service Fund as permitted under Code Section 50-5-200.
(h) Nothing in this Code section shall be interpreted as amending, modifying, or repealing Code Section 46-2-23, relating to the rate-making power of the Public Service Commission generally and special provisions concerning telecommunications companies.
(a) On and after June 1, 1998, there shall be toll-free calling between two telephones within a 22 mile radius of an exchange serving such telephones as such 22 mile calling areas are designated on maps on file with the commission in any local exchange as provided in subsection (b) or (c) of this Code section; provided, however, that the provisions of this Code section shall not apply to a subscriber who has elected an optional plan. Such calls made in the 22 mile radius shall be considered local calls. Nothing in this subsection shall preclude the offer of optional rate plans.
(b)(1) For each telephone company which has not elected to have its rates, terms, and conditions for services determined pursuant to the alternative regulation provided for in Article 4 of Chapter 5 of this title, the Public Service Commission may conduct hearings and accept evidence and, upon consideration of such evidence, shall determine if any telephone company should be authorized to increase its rates for basic exchange service to cover the reasonable costs of providing such toll-free service to customers of the telephone company throughout the 22 mile calling areas and to continue a reasonable rate of return on investment authorized in the rate schedule previously approved by the Public Service Commission for such telephone company. Such determination shall consider the availability of funds and other revenue sources to affected companies to offset the costs associated with such toll-free calling areas. It shall be within the discretion of the Public Service Commission to determine the methodology and source of recovery for any such affected telephone company. In determining the method of offsetting the costs associated with the 22 mile plan, the Public Service Commission shall first utilize any available earnings at the telephone companies seeking assistance in excess of those authorized in their respective tariffs. The commission shall be authorized to approve any increase in rates which the commission determines to be necessary to implement and accomplish the toll-free calling requirements of this Code section.
(2) If the rate of increase determined pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subsection does not exceed $ 2.00 or 25 percent of the basic service rate then in effect, the commission shall require the concurrent implementation of a 22 mile toll-free expanded calling area and the increase in basic local exchange service rates for that exchange, and the local exchange company shall be permitted to increase the basic local exchange service rates notwithstanding any provision of Chapter 5 of this title to the contrary.
(3) If the rate of increase determined pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subsection exceeds $ 2.00 or 25 percent of the basic service rate then in effect, the commission shall conduct balloting of the subscribers in each local exchange proposed to receive the 22 mile toll-free expanded calling area service. If a majority of those subscribers who return ballots is in favor of both the service and the requisite increase in basic local exchange service rates, the commission shall require the concurrent implementation of a 22 mile toll-free expanded calling area and the increase in basic local exchange service rates for that exchange, and the local exchange company shall be permitted to increase the basic local exchange service rates notwithstanding any provision of Chapter 5 of this title to the contrary.
(c)(1) For each telephone company which has elected to have its rates, terms, and conditions for services determined pursuant to the alternative regulation provided for in Article 4 of Chapter 5 of this title, the commission shall determine for each local exchange company the increase in rates for basic local exchange services necessary to recover fully all revenues which would be lost if a 22 mile toll-free expanded calling area were implemented in that local exchange.
(2) If the rate of increase determined pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subsection does not exceed $ 2.00 or 25 percent of the basic service rate then in effect, the commission shall require the concurrent implementation of a 22 mile toll-free expanded calling area and the increase in basic local exchange service rates for that exchange, and the local exchange company shall be permitted to increase the basic local exchange service rates notwithstanding any provision of Chapter 5 of this title to the contrary.
(3) If the rate of increase determined pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subsection exceeds $ 2.00 or 25 percent of the basic service rate then in effect, the commission shall conduct balloting of the subscribers in each local exchange proposed to receive the 22 mile toll-free expanded calling area service. If a majority of those subscribers who return ballots is in favor of both the service and the requisite increase in basic local exchange service rates, the commission shall require the concurrent implementation of a 22 mile toll-free expanded calling area and the increase in basic local exchange service rates for that exchange, and the local exchange company shall be permitted to increase the basic local exchange service rates notwithstanding any provision of Chapter 5 of this title to the contrary.
(d)(1) As used in this subsection, the term “net gain” means the net revenue impact from the implementation less costs incurred as a result of the implementation of a 22 mile toll-free calling area.
(2) The commission shall adopt a methodology to provide that any net gain which a telecommunications company experiences as a result of implementing this Code section be passed on to end user customers.
(e) Nothing in this Code section shall be interpreted as amending, modifying, or repealing Code Section 46-2-23, relating to the rate-making power of the Public Service Commission generally and special provisions concerning telecommunications companies, or Article 4 of Chapter 5 of this title, “The Telecommunications and Competition Development Act of 1995.”
(a) As used in this Code section, the term:
(1) “Fuel costs” of a utility company means the cost of fuel as defined in the utility company's tariffs in effect on July 1, 1979, as such tariffs may be changed from time to time by order of the commission as provided by law.
(2) “Utility” means any retail supplier of electricity subject to the rate-making jurisdiction of the commission.
(b) No utility regulated by the commission shall automatically increase any customer's billing for intrastate utility services by reason of application of any fuel adjustment tariff. Rate changes based solely on increases or decreases in the cost of fuel may be determined as set forth in this Code section.Code Section 46-2-25 shall not apply to proceedings conducted pursuant to this Code section.
(c) On or before May 15, 1979, each utility shall file with the commission an estimate of fuel costs and an estimate of retail sales for the three calendar months beginning on July 1, 1979, and proposed base rate tariffs to recover those costs. Thereafter, a utility may change its base rates solely because of increased or decreased fuel costs only after filing with the commission an estimate of its fuel costs and retail sales for the next three consecutive calendar months and proposed base rates to recover those costs, adjusted as required by subsection (g) of this Code section.
(d) Not less than ten days after any such filings or after a commission show-cause order concerning such base rates, the commission shall conduct a public hearing on the information so filed for the purpose of determining its accuracy. The utility's testimony shall be under oath and shall, with any corrections thereto, constitute the utility's affirmative case. At any hearing conducted pursuant to this Code section, the burden of proof to show that an increased rate, based on fluctuations in fuel costs, is just and reasonable shall be upon the utility. Formal intervention by customers of the utility shall be permitted. The staff of the commission and formal intervenors shall have the right to examine all utility records used in the preparation of the testimony and exhibits of the utility, to cross-examine utility witnesses, and to present rebuttal testimony, subject to cross-examination by all parties.
(e) Following such hearing, the commission shall issue an order stating the base rates to be used by the utility during the next three consecutive calendar months, or until changed as provided in this Code section. Should the commission fail or refuse to issue such order by the ninetieth day after the utility's filing, the base rates proposed by the utility shall thereupon be deemed adopted by operation of law.
(f) Each utility shall compute, record, and report to the commission monthly the most current data available showing the monthly and accumulated overrecovery or underrecovery of actual fuel costs resulting from application of its base rates.
(g) Each base rate amendment shall include an adjustment based on actual expense to date in order that the accumulated retail fuel costs of the utility shall equal, as nearly as possible, the revenues recovered pursuant to the fuel recovery allowance contained in its base rates. The resulting adjustment in the charge, if any, shall be made to the nearest 0.0001¢ per kilowatt hour.
(h) The commission shall disallow and make appropriate adjustment for any reported fuel cost that is the result of illegal or clearly imprudent conduct on the part of the utility.
(i) All commission orders issued pursuant to this Code section shall contain the commission's findings of fact and conclusions of law upon which the commission's action is based. Such order shall be deemed a final order subject to judicial review under Chapter 13 of Title 50, the “Georgia Administrative Procedure Act.”
(j) The commission shall not prohibit or limit the operation of a rate schedule or other tariff of a utility to the extent that it permits rate increases or decreases to adjust for increased or decreased purchased power costs, where such increased or decreased purchased power costs shall have become effective under the procedures of a federal regulatory agency or under a contract approved by a federal regulatory agency. Any subsequent refunds received by any such utility with respect to any such increased purchased power costs which become effective under procedures of a federal regulatory agency, or otherwise, shall be refunded by the utility to its customers in the manner directed by the commission.
(k) In filing any estimate of fuel costs under subsection (c) of this Code section, each utility shall disclose the name and address of each person from whom the utility expects to purchase fuel or the transportation of fuel during the period covered by such estimate. Each such filing shall also disclose, when applicable, any financial interest the utility has in any firm or corporation expected to supply or transport fuel to the utility during the period covered by the estimate. It shall be the duty of the commission to make public at each public hearing held pursuant to subsection (d) of this Code section any information disclosed by a utility pursuant to the requirements of this subsection. It shall constitute a financial interest within the meaning of this subsection:
(1) For any member of the board of directors of the utility to be a member of the board of directors of a corporation supplying or transporting fuel to the utility;
(2) For any member of the board of directors of the utility to be the proprietor of or a partner in any business supplying or transporting fuel to the utility; or
(3) For any member of the board of directors of the utility, or for the utility itself, to own 10 percent or more of the stock of any corporation supplying or transporting fuel to the utility.
(a) The accounting treatments specified in this Code section shall apply in any proceeding before the commission to determine the rates to be charged by an electric utility.
(b) In any proceeding to determine the rates to be charged by an electric utility, the electric utility shall file jurisdictionally allocated cost of service data on the basis of a test period, and the commission shall utilize a test period, consisting of actual data for the most recent 12 month period for which data are available, fully adjusted separately to reflect estimated operations during the 12 months following the utility's proposed effective date of the rates. After the initial filing and until new rates go into effect, the utility shall file actual cost of service data as they become available for each month following the actual data which were filed. The utility shall have the burden of explaining and supporting the reasonableness of all estimates and adjustments contained in its cost of service data.
(c) In any case after March 2, 1981, in which an electric utility transfers partial or total ownership of any electric plant, the electric utility shall return to its ratepayers, in such manner as the commission may prescribe, the ratepayers' cash contribution to the cost of construction, plus the income taxes paid, accrued, and collected by the electric utility in respect thereof, and a portion of the profit, if any, on such transfer.
(1) The ratepayers' contribution to the cost of construction shall be determined by first multiplying the amount of construction and preconstruction expenditures included in the rate base by the authorized return allowed by the commission for the electric utility on the jurisdictional rate base during the period or periods such expenditures were included in the rate base, and then subtracting therefrom any carrying costs capitalized in respect of such construction and preconstruction expenditures included in the rate base. In the event an electric utility transfers partial or total ownership of any electric plant after it has commenced commercial operation, the ratepayers' contribution to the cost of construction shall be reduced in proportion to the remaining life of the electric plant.
(2) The profit, if any, on such transfer shall be allocated between the electric utility and its ratepayers in proportion to their respective contributions to the cost of construction. For the purposes of this calculation, the ratepayers' contribution shall be determined as provided by paragraph (1) of this subsection. The electric utility's contribution shall be the cost, including carrying costs, of the transferred electric plant as recorded on the books and records of the electric utility. The amount of profit, if any, shall be determined by deducting the sum of the ratepayers' and the electric utility's contributions to the cost of construction from the gross proceeds of the transfer.
For purposes of determining a utility's cost of service in rate-making proceedings, the income tax expense portion shall be calculated on the basis of net income before income taxes. Any difference between income based on the utility's accounting records and income determined in accordance with United States Internal Revenue Service laws and regulations will be accounted for as required by generally accepted accounting principles governing all businesses.
(a) A utility regulated by the Public Service Commission which has 25 percent or more of its total generating capacity as oil-fired generation and operates any electric generating facility which was in the process of being converted on January 1, 1982, and which will be converted and in commercial operation as a coal-fired facility on or before December 31, 1982, after conversion from oil to coal-fired operation may file with the commission an application to determine the appropriate rate to recover the cost of conversion and to demonstrate the fuel cost savings resulting from said conversion.
(b) For the purposes of this Code section, the following words or terms shall have the following meanings:
(1) “Coal” shall mean coal used as a primary energy source.
(2) “Commission” shall mean the Georgia Public Service Commission.
(3)(A) “Cost of conversion” shall mean costs as determined by the commission to be reasonable and necessary for the conversion of an oil-burning electric generating facility to the burning of coal. Such costs shall include, but not be limited to, engineering, administrative, and legal costs, the cost of environmental studies and control equipment, coal-handling and storage equipment, including rail facilities, equipment and facilities necessary to permit the combustion of coal, the cost of retrofitting or refurbishing boilers to permit the combustion of coal, the cost of on-site and off-site facilities for handling, storing, and disposing of wastes resulting from the combustion of coal, and the cost of all other facilities reasonable and necessary to allow the conversion of an oil-burning electric generating facility to burn coal. Such costs shall also include the reasonable cost of capital for such conversion and for carrying the cost of such conversion until such costs are recovered as provided in this Code section. In no case shall cost of conversion include any costs incurred pursuant to an expansion of an electric generating facility's generating capacity above the generating capacity of said facility that existed prior to the conversion from oil to coal.
(B) “Cost of conversion” shall not include the amount financed by the company through tax-exempt pollution control bonds, if any, of any portion of the project certified by the Environmental Protection Division of the Department of Natural Resources, or other agency vested with similar authority, to be a pollution control facility and therefore eligible for financing under Section 103 of the Internal Revenue Code and the regulations thereunder or other similar law or regulation now or hereafter adopted.
(4) “Fuel cost savings” shall mean the amount of fuel savings to be obtained by operating the facility converted from oil to coal-fired operation during the facility's first full 12 months of operation using coal as its primary fuel as compared to the operation of such facility on oil, had it been so operated, during the same 12 month period.
(5) “Utility” shall mean any retail supplier of electricity subject to the rate-making jurisdiction of the commission.
(c) Any utility meeting the qualifications under subsection (a) of this Code section may file with the commission a request to establish an appropriate adjustment in its rates and charges in order to recover the costs of conversion of an oil-burning generating facility to coal-fired operation as provided herein. After receipt of such filing, the commission shall hold a public hearing to determine the cost of conversion of the generating facility and the fuel cost savings anticipated. Unless it is determined by the commission that the cost of conversion will be less than the projected fuel cost savings accruing to retail customers over the remaining life of the generating facility, no further action shall be taken by the commission. Upon making such determination that the fuel cost savings exceed the cost of conversion, the commission shall then determine the appropriate rate to recover the cost of conversion as provided in subsection (d) of this Code section.
(d) In determining the appropriate rate, the commission shall consider the cost of conversion, and an appropriate period of time, but not more than seven years, to amortize such cost. The appropriate rate shall be an amount which is not less than the amount necessary to amortize the cost of conversion, as herein defined over a period of not more than seven years on a per kilowatt-hour basis taking into consideration the estimated kilowatt hours to be generated for sale by the utility during the first full 12 months in operation of the facility. In determining the rate to recover the cost of conversion, the commission shall permit recovery by the utility of the cost of conversion net of such federal, state, or local taxes based on revenue and income which may be imposed upon the utility for receipt of proceeds of the fuel-savings-allocation which cannot be reasonably avoided by the utility using due diligence. All revenues derived through the rate herein provided shall be applied solely to the cost of conversion of said facility.
(e) The utility shall compute, record, and report to the commission monthly the amount collected under any rate herein authorized and the amount applied to the cost of conversion and the balance remaining to be recovered.
(f) Upon recovery by the utility of the cost of conversion as herein provided, the utility shall no longer charge any rate authorized to recover the cost of conversion. Upon such termination, the utility shall file a report with the commission within 30 days, sworn to by an officer of the utility, that its fuel-savings-allocation revenues are in compliance with all commission orders issued pursuant to this Code section. In the event such revenue is lesser or greater than the utility's cost of conversion, the commission shall make such determinations and issue such orders as are necessary to result in the full recovery, but no more, of the cost of conversion.
(g) In the event the utility should become entitled, by reason of the conversion, to any federal or state grant and receive same, the commission shall make such determinations and issue such orders as are necessary to reduce the amount of conversion costs which the utility would otherwise recover by means of the rate provided herein. If such grant is received after termination of such adjustment, the utility shall promptly report such receipt and the commission shall make such determinations and issue such orders as are necessary to result in the utility receiving no more than the cost of conversion after taking into account such grant.
(h) Once the utility charges the rate to recover the cost of conversion, the commission shall not recognize for rate-making purposes any costs of conversion which are recovered by the utility through the rate provided herein.
(i) At any hearing or any proceeding under this Code section formal intervention by customers of the utility shall be permitted. All commission orders issued pursuant to this Code section shall be rendered within 180 days from the date of any filing or the institution of any proceeding hereunder and shall contain, unless waived by all parties, the commission's findings of fact and conclusions of law upon which the commission's action is based. Such order shall be deemed a final order subject to judicial review under Chapter 13 of Title 50, known as the “Georgia Administrative Procedure Act.”
(j) Any recovery of costs of conversion provided or allowed hereunder shall not affect the recovery of fuel costs provided in Code Section 46-2-26.
(a) The accounting treatments specified in this Code section shall apply in any proceeding before the commission to determine the rates to be charged by a gas utility.
(b) In any proceeding commenced after April 1, 2002, to determine the rates to be charged by a gas utility, the gas utility shall file jurisdictionally allocated cost of service data on the basis of a test period, and the commission shall utilize a test period, consisting of actual data for the most recent 12 month period for which data are available, fully adjusted separately to reflect estimated operations during the 12 months following the proposed effective date of the rates. After the initial filing, and until new rates go into effect, the utility shall file actual cost of service data as they become available for each month following the actual data which were filed. The utility shall have the burden of explaining and supporting the reasonableness of all estimates and adjustments contained in its cost of service data.
(a) As used in this Code section, the term:
(1) “Adjustment factor” means a factor used pursuant to a purchased gas adjustment rate to recover purchased gas costs.
(2) “Commission” means the Georgia Public Service Commission.
(3) “Firm customer” means a customer who purchases gas from a gas utility on a firm basis which ordinarily is not subject to interruption or curtailment.
(4) “Gas supply plan” means the particular array of available gas supply, storage, and transportation options selected by a gas utility to supply the requirements of its firm customers.
(5) “Gas utility” means a gas utility subject to the jurisdiction of the commission.
(6) “Purchased gas adjustment rate” means a purchased gas adjustment rider or similar rate, provision, or clause in the tariff of a gas utility pursuant to which purchased gas costs are billed to the firm customers of the gas utility.
(7) “Purchased gas costs” means all costs incurred by a gas utility for the purpose of acquiring gas delivered to its system in order to supply its firm customers, including without limitation the costs incurred in purchasing gas from sellers; the costs incurred in transactions involving rights to buy and sell gas; the costs incurred in gathering gas for transportation to the gas utility; the costs incurred in transporting gas to the facilities of the gas utility; the costs incurred in acquiring and using gas storage service from others, including the costs of injecting and withdrawing gas from storage; and all charges, fees, and rates incurred in connection with such purchases, rights, gathering, storage, and transportation.
(8) “Recovery year” means the 12 calendar months commencing October 1, 1994, and ending September 30, 1995, and each succeeding 12 calendar month period thereafter.
(b) Commencing October 1, 1994, the requirements of this Code section shall apply to any purchased gas adjustment rate. The requirements of Code Section 46-2-25 shall not apply to filings made or proceedings conducted pursuant to this Code section.
(c) On or before August 1 of each year, each gas utility shall file with the commission its gas supply plan for the following recovery year. The gas utility shall include with such filing the adjustment factors it proposes for recovering its purchased gas costs during such following recovery year, together with the calculations that produced such factors.
(d) Not less than ten days after any such filing by a gas utility, the commission shall conduct a public hearing on such filing. The gas utility's testimony shall be under oath and shall, with any corrections thereto, constitute the gas utility's affirmative case. At any hearing conducted pursuant to this Code section, the burden of proof to show that the proposed gas supply plan and adjustment factors are appropriate shall be upon the gas utility.
(e) Following such a hearing, the commission shall issue an order approving the gas supply plan filed by the gas utility or adopting a gas supply plan for the gas utility that the commission deems appropriate. In addition, the commission in its order shall approve the adjustment factors proposed by the gas utility or adopt adjustment factors that the commission deems appropriate. The adjustment factors approved or adopted by the commission, or otherwise made effective under this Code section, shall be applied uniformly to all firm customers upon the effective date of such factors. The adjustment factors to be effective during the recovery year commencing October 1, 1994, shall be set at levels appropriate to account for underrecoveries or overrecoveries, if any, under the purchased gas adjustment rate of the gas utility in effect prior to October 1, 1994. The adjustment factors to be applicable during each recovery year commencing October 1, 1995, and thereafter, shall be set at levels appropriate to account for underrecoveries or overrecoveries during the preceding recovery year. Should the commission fail or refuse to issue an order by the ninetieth day after the gas utility's filing which either approves the gas supply plan filed by the gas utility or adopts a different gas supply plan for the gas utility, the gas supply plan proposed by the gas utility shall thereupon be deemed approved by operation of law. Similarly, should the commission fail or refuse to issue an order by such date which either approves the adjustment factors proposed by the gas utility or adopts different adjustment factors for the gas utility, the adjustment factors proposed by the gas utility shall thereupon be deemed approved by operation of law.
(f) The provisions of law relating to parties, intervention, and discovery in proceedings before the commission shall apply with respect to proceedings under this Code section.
(g) Each gas utility shall file with the commission monthly its actual monthly purchased gas costs and accumulated purchased gas costs during the recovery year. The gas utility shall include in such filing information which demonstrates whether such purchased gas costs were incurred in accordance with a gas supply plan which had become effective in accordance with the provisions of this Code section.
(h) Each gas utility shall also file with the commission monthly the most current data available showing the monthly and accumulated overrecoveries or underrecoveries of actual purchased gas costs resulting from application of its purchased gas adjustment rate.
(i) At least every three calendar months, the gas utility shall file proposed revisions to the adjustment factors based on actual unrecovered purchased gas costs in order that the revenues to be recovered pursuant to such rate during the remainder of the current recovery year shall equal, as nearly as possible, the gas utility's unrecovered purchased gas costs through the end of such recovery year. The revisions to the adjustment factors, if any, shall be made to the nearest 0.01¢ per therm. Unless the commission directs otherwise, such revised adjustment factors shall become effective on the first day of the first calendar month that begins at least 15 days after the date of such filing.
(j) All commission orders issued pursuant to this Code section shall contain the commission's findings of fact and conclusions of law upon which the commission's action is based. Any such order shall be deemed a final order subject to judicial review under Chapter 13 of Title 50, the “Georgia Administrative Procedure Act.”
(k) The commission shall not prohibit or limit the operation of a purchased gas adjustment rate of a gas utility to the extent that the adjustment permits increases or decreases to adjust for increased or decreased purchased gas costs when such increased or decreased purchased gas costs shall have become effective under the procedures of a federal regulatory agency or under a contract approved by a federal regulatory agency. Any subsequent refunds received by a gas utility with respect to any such increased purchased gas costs which become effective under procedures of a federal regulatory agency, or otherwise, shall be treated by the gas utility in such manner as the commission may direct.
(l) Any purchased gas costs which are incurred by a gas utility in accordance with a gas supply plan which was in effect pursuant to the provisions of this Code section at the time such costs were incurred may be recovered by the gas utility under its purchased gas adjustment rate and shall not be disallowed retroactively by the commission nor by any court which reviews the action of the commission in the absence of fraud or willful misconduct on the part of the gas utility; provided, however, that the commission may disallow and make appropriate adjustments for any purchased gas costs that were not incurred in accordance with such a gas supply plan if the same resulted in higher purchased gas costs and were the result of clearly imprudent conduct on the part of the gas utility. The provisions of this Code section shall not prohibit the commission from authorizing a gas utility to recover under a purchased gas adjustment rate costs or amounts in addition to purchased gas costs, nor shall the provisions of this Code section prohibit the commission from removing from purchased gas costs those costs incurred by a gas utility for the purpose of acquiring gas to supply customers who are not firm customers.
(m) After a gas supply plan has become effective under the provisions of this Code section as a result of a proceeding before the commission, the commission shall retain jurisdiction of the proceeding for the balance of the recovery year for the purposes set forth in this subsection. Upon the application of the affected gas utility or upon its own initiative, the commission may, after affording due notice and opportunity for hearing to the affected gas utility and the intervenors in the proceeding, amend the gas supply plan of the affected gas utility for the remainder of the recovery year. The amended gas supply plan shall become effective upon the date of the commission's order and shall not have retroactive effect.
Upon the face or back of each periodic and terminal billing for retail consumption of electric, gas, and water services, there shall appear a conspicuous notation of charges for fuel adjustment and a notation of the meter reading upon which the billing was computed, including the previous reading and consumption. Where a customer is on a voluntary “budget bill” or “levelized bill” agreement, the actual consumption for any period of time may be omitted until the annual anniversary account billing. The rates on which the bill was computed shall be made readily available to the customer upon demand; and a notation of where the rates can be obtained shall appear on the face of the bill.
(a) Each of the companies over which the commission has jurisdiction shall be required to furnish the commission a list of any stocks and bonds the issuance of which is contemplated.
(b) It shall be unlawful for any of such companies to issue stocks, bonds, notes, or other evidences of debt, payable more than 12 months after the date of issuance, except upon the approval of the commission, and then only when necessary and for such amount as may be reasonably required for the acquisition of property; the construction and equipment of power plants and carsheds; the completion, extension, or improvement of its facilities or properties; the improvement or maintenance of its service; the discharge or lawful refunding of its obligations; or other lawful corporate purposes falling within the spirit of this Code section.
(c) The decision of the commission shall be final as to the validity of the issuance of stocks, bonds, notes, or other evidences of debt by companies under the jurisdiction of the commission.
(d) Before issuing stocks, bonds, notes, or other evidence of debt, a company under the jurisdiction of the commission shall secure an order from the commission authorizing such issue, the amount thereof, and the purpose and use for which the issue is authorized. For the purpose of enabling it to determine whether such order should be issued, the commission shall make such inquiry or investigation, hold such hearings, and examine such witnesses, books, papers, documents, or contracts as it may deem advisable or necessary.
(e) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Code section, a company under the jurisdiction of the commission may issue notes or other evidences of debt for proper and lawful corporate purposes, payable at periods of not more than 12 months from the date of issuance, without the consent of the commission, provided that no such notes or other evidences of debt shall, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, be refunded by any issue of stocks, bonds, or other evidences of debt running for more than 12 months without the consent of the commission.
(f) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Code section, motor common carriers and motor contract carriers regulated under Chapter 7 of this title shall be exempt from the provisions of this Code section.
(g) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Code section or any other provision of law, local exchange companies as defined in paragraph (10) of Code Section 46-5-162 under the commission's jurisdiction shall be exempt from the provisions of this Code section if the stocks, bonds, notes, or other evidences of debt are issued as part of a debt transaction that is an interstate transaction, as evidenced by the following:
(1) The local exchange company is a wholly owned subsidiary of a parent company headquartered or domiciled outside of this state;
(2) The debt transaction is by and between the parent company, the primary obligor, and a national bank or other lending or financial institution licensed or authorized to enter into such debt transaction by any state or federal agency; and
(3) The local exchange company is issuing stocks, bonds, notes, or other evidences of debt for the purpose of providing collateral or other security to the lending or financial institution in order to accommodate the debt transaction of a parent company or other entity.
(a) No member or employee of the commission shall, except when legally called upon by a court of competent jurisdiction, disclose or impart to anyone any fact which was obtained in his official capacity from or through any proceeding filed with the commission under Code Section 46-2-28, provided that this Code section shall not apply to any fact or information which is obtained through public hearings or which is not confidential in nature.
(b) Any person who violates this Code section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
The commission shall have full power and authority to make rules and regulations to effectuate and implement all laws conferring powers and duties upon the commission. Any rule or regulation adopted by the commission shall be transmitted to the chairman of the appropriate committees of the House of Representatives and the Senate for review by such committees and recommendations by such committees to the General Assembly for appropriate action.
It shall be the duty of the commission to make annual reports of its activities to the Governor and to recommend from time to time such legislation as it may deem advisable.
All fines recovered under this title shall be paid into the general fund of the state treasury, to be used for such purposes as the General Assembly may provide. The remedies provided in this title shall be regarded as cumulative of all other remedies given by law against railroad companies, and this title shall not be construed as repealing any statute giving such remedies.
(a) The cost to the commission of providing reasonably necessary specialized testimony and assistance in conducting affiliate transactions audits prior to utility rate cases, in monitoring nuclear power costs, and in proceedings initiated by the utility, including, but not limited to, utility rate cases, fuel cost recovery cases, gas supply cases, and capacity supply cases, shall be charged to the affected utility. The amount of any such charges shall not exceed $200,000.00 per case per year, except for utility rate cases, generation construction monitoring, integrated resource planning cases, and generation certification cases, to the extent such amount is not also being recovered pursuant to an order issued under subsection (c) of Code Section 46-3A-5, which shall not exceed $600,000.00 per case per year. The maximum fee shall be adjusted on an annual basis based on the Consumer Price Index as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the United States Department of Labor. In the event the Consumer Price Index is no longer available, the commission shall select a comparable broad national measure of inflation. This Code section shall not apply to proceedings for Tier 1 local exchange companies that have elected alternative regulation or to certificated competing local exchange carriers.
(b) At the time the commission determines that specialized testimony and assistance is required, the commission shall issue an order setting forth the scope and budget for such testimony and assistance. All invoices relating to the testimony and assistance shall be subject to commission review and approval, and no utility shall be required to pay any invoice not approved by the commission.
(c) The amounts paid by regulated companies under this Code section shall be deemed a necessary cost of providing service, and the utility shall be entitled to recover the full amount of any costs charged to the utility pursuant to this Code section. In addition, at the election of the utility, the utility shall be entitled to recover all such costs promptly through a reasonably designed rider designated for such purpose.
There is established a Utility Finance Section of the commission staff, which section shall have the powers and duties specified in this article. The section shall consist of a director, an assistant director, and such accountants, statisticians, experts, and clerical personnel as the commission may employ, as authorized by the General Assembly.
(a) On or before December 31, 1981, the commission by order shall employ an individual qualified by knowledge and experience to serve as director of the Utility Finance Section. The director shall be compensated in an amount determined by the commission. He shall serve at the pleasure of the commission and shall report to the director of utilities of the commission.
(b) The director of the Utility Finance Section must possess at least five years' experience in the field of public regulation of business, whether through employment with a state or federal agency, in industry, in education, or through the practice of law. This individual must have graduated from a four-year college with a major in either accounting, finance, business, or management or have graduated from a law school and been admitted to the State Bar of Georgia.
(c) The director shall be responsible for the:
(1) Preparation of the budget of the section for submittal to the director of utilities;
(2) Administration of the section;
(3) Supervision of the work of the section; and
(4) Presentation of the commission staff's position during electric utility rate proceedings.
(a) The director of the Utility Finance Section shall employ an assistant director who shall be employed at the pleasure of the commission and as provided by law.
(b) The director shall employ such accountants, statisticians, experts, and clerical personnel as are necessary for the effective performance of the duties of the section, and such employees shall be in the unclassified service as defined by Code Section 45-20-2.
(c) Rules and regulations of the State Personnel Board concerning compensation and promotion shall not apply to employees of the Utility Finance Section.
During the period of his employment and for one year following the termination of his employment, neither the director of the Utility Finance Section, the assistant director of the section, nor any other employee of the section shall own any interest of any kind in or be retained or employed by any electric utility or own any controlling interest in or be retained or employed by any person who has a vested interest in the outcome of any proceeding in which the section participates.
The duties of the Utility Finance Section shall include the following:
(1) Preparing a budget for the section for submission by the director of the section to the director of utilities to secure the necessary appropriations to finance the activities of the section;
(2) Investigating the rates and auditing the books and records of any electric utility other than transportation utilities, municipal electric systems, and electric membership corporations when so directed by the director of utilities;
(3) Appearing in any proceeding to determine rates of an electric utility. In such capacity, the section shall:
(A) Form an independent evaluation concerning whether the electric utility rates in question are just and reasonable;
(B) Present testimony by its employees or specially retained experts concerning the electric utility rates in question;
(C) Provide to the commission all technical assistance, data, and calculations concerning the electric utility rates in question, as the commission may require;
(D) Assist the commission in any judicial review of a commission determination of the rates of an electric utility; and
(E) When it will not interfere with the section's participation in utility rate proceedings, perform such other duties regarding any utility matter which the director of utilities may establish.
The Utility Finance Section shall have the following authority and relationship to the commission:
(1) The section shall be part of the commission staff; and
(2) The section shall be deemed a party to any proceeding to consider rates in which it participates, provided that it shall not have standing to appeal or contest the final order entered by the commission in such a proceeding.
The commission shall conduct hearings and investigations in different parts of the state when, in the opinion of the commission, such hearings and investigations will best serve the interest and convenience of the public.
The commission shall prescribe the rules of procedure and the rules for the taking of evidence in all matters that may come before it. In the investigation, preparation, and hearing of cases, the commission shall not be bound by the strict technical rules of pleading and evidence but may exercise such discretion as will facilitate its efforts to ascertain the facts bearing upon the right and justice of the matters before it. When deemed necessary, in all formal cases heard and determined, the commission shall render an opinion setting out the issues involved in the case and its decision, ruling, and findings thereon. The commission is authorized to provide by rule and regulation for the procedure to be observed in the rehearing, reconsideration, and oral argument of all orders entered by the commission.
A full and complete record as provided in paragraph (8) of subsection (a) of Code Section 50-13-13 shall be kept of all proceedings conducted before the commission on any formal investigation; and all testimony shall be transcribed by the official reporter appointed by the commission.
(a) In making any examination for the purpose of obtaining information pursuant to this title, the commission shall have the power to issue subpoenas for the attendance of witnesses by such rules as it may prescribe.
(b) Witnesses shall receive for such attendance the same fees and mileage as prescribed by law in civil cases in the superior court. Such compensation shall be ordered paid by the Governor upon presentation of subpoenas and statements as to the number of days served and miles traveled. Such statements shall be sworn to by the witnesses before the clerk of the commission, who shall have the power to administer oaths.
(c) If any person willfully fails or refuses to obey such subpoena, it shall be the duty of the judge of the superior court of any county, upon application of the commission, to issue an attachment for such witness and compel him to attend the meeting of the commission and give his testimony upon such matters as shall be lawfully required by such commission. The court shall have power to punish for contempt as in other cases of refusal to obey the process and order of the court.
In investigating complaints of violations by common carriers of the laws prohibiting the giving or granting of rebates and prohibiting unjust discrimination in rates and charges, the commission may exercise the power and authority to compel the shipper or consignee, or any officer, agent, or employee of a common carrier to give evidence relating to such complaints. Before any such person shall be compelled to give evidence relating to such complaints, the commission shall make an order that such witness is required by the commission to testify and that he will be exempt thereafter from indictment or prosecution for any transaction about which he is compelled to testify. When such order is made, the witness shall be compelled to give evidence touching such complaints, and he shall be forever free from indictment or prosecution in any court touching the matters about which he is compelled to testify.
If a witness is exempted from indictment or prosecution as provided in Code Section 46-2-55, he may also be compelled to give evidence in any action or prosecution instituted in any of the courts of this state against any common carrier or against any other person on account of the transactions about which he is compelled to testify before the commission.
(a) In any case pending before it, the commission, in addition to its now existing authority to do so, is authorized to issue an order permitting its employees and agents to take depositions and otherwise obtain discovery of any matter, not privileged, which is relevant to the subject matter involved in the investigation, proceeding, or petition before the commission, in the same manner prescribed in Chapter 11 of Title 9 for discovery in civil actions. In any case involving an application of a gas company to establish just and reasonable rates pursuant to Code Section 46-2-23.1 or 46-4-154, intervenors who are granted party status pursuant to Code Section 46-2-59, as well as the gas company subject to the particular proceeding, shall have all discovery rights available under Chapter 11 of Title 9.
(b) The commission, its agents and employees as directed by the commission, and intervenors and gas companies which are granted discovery rights under subsection (a) of this Code section are authorized to petition the Superior Court of Fulton County for all orders, injunctions, and subpoenas necessary to carry out the provisions of this Code section which would otherwise be authorized or necessary under Chapter 11 of Title 9; and the judges and clerks of the court are authorized to issue all such orders, injunctions, and subpoenas and to take all other actions necessary to carry out this Code section which would otherwise be authorized or necessary under Chapter 11 of Title 9.
(c) In addition to the sanctions which may be imposed under Code Section 9-11-37, the Superior Court of Fulton County is further authorized to extend the period of suspension of the operation of any new schedules and defer the use of such rates, charges, classifications, or service beyond the time authorized by Code Section 46-2-25, if the court, upon application of the commission, determines that the failure of any regulated utility to comply with a discovery request of the commission, its agents, or its employees is unreasonable and requires such extension. No such extension of the period of suspension shall be considered by the court unless the utility has failed completely to respond to a valid deposition or discovery request.
(d) Any application or petition made by the commission, its agents, or its employees pursuant to this Code section shall be heard within 20 days of the filing of the application or petition, irrespective of whether any response to the application or petition has previously been made, and shall be disposed of promptly.
(a) The commission shall employ one or more hearing officers to perform the duties set forth in this Code section. Hearing officers shall be persons qualified by knowledge and experience to conduct hearings on utility and transportation matters. In addition, the commission may employ part-time hearing officers, if necessary, to handle the caseload.
(b) In all utility proceedings commenced after July 1, 1981, any hearing may be conducted by a hearing officer, who shall have authority to:
(1) Administer oaths and affirmations;
(2) Sign and issue subpoenas for discovery or trial;
(3) Rule upon offers of proof;
(4) Regulate the course of the hearing, setting the time and place for continued hearings;
(5) Permit persons to make limited appearances as provided in Code Section 46-2-59;
(6) Take official notice of judicially recognizable facts;
(7) Reprimand or exclude from the hearing any person for any indecorous or improper conduct committed at or during a hearing;
(8) Exercise such other powers necessary for the efficient and expeditious conduct of the hearing, to the end that a complete and orderly record may be developed; and
(9) Make written findings of fact based upon evidence in the record.
(c) The hearing officer or commission shall permit only the Commissioners, the hearing officer, the parties, or the attorneys of record of the Commissioners, hearing officers, or parties to examine or cross-examine witnesses, except with the consent of the witness.
(d) Within 30 days after the conclusion of a hearing, the hearing officer shall prepare and certify a record of the evidence to the commission. The hearing officer shall also transmit to the commission proposed written findings of fact based upon evidence in the record. A copy of the record and findings of fact shall be provided all parties of record by the hearing officer. The hearing officer may render an initial or recommended decision in uncontested cases, if directed to do so by the commission. Any such recommended decision shall also be served upon the parties of record, who shall be provided an opportunity to file with the commission its objections or comments.
(a) In all proceedings before the commission, the parties to such proceeding shall consist of the affected applicant, any person who is permitted to intervene as provided in this Code section, and the Utility Finance Section established pursuant to Article 2A of this chapter.
(b) Any person on whom a statute confers an unconditional right to intervene may intervene by filing a notice of intervention with the commission or hearing officer, as appropriate.
(c) Any other person desiring to intervene must file an application for leave to intervene within 30 days following the first published notice of the proceeding. Any such application shall be in writing, shall be verified either by the party intervening or by his attorney on information and belief, shall identify the party requesting the intervention, and shall set forth with particularity the facts pertaining to his interest and the grounds upon which his application for intervention are based. Such application shall be served on all other parties in the proceeding, including those who have previously applied for leave to intervene. No untimely application for leave to intervene shall be granted by the presiding authority except for good cause shown.
(d) Any party or person who has previously applied for leave to intervene in a proceeding in which leave to intervene is sought by another person may file a response to the application for leave to intervene within 15 days after the application is served.
(e) The commission or hearing officer shall permit only the following persons to intervene:
(1) A person upon whom a statute confers an unconditional right to intervene;
(2) A person who demonstrates a legal, property, or other interest in the proceeding. In determining whether to permit intervention, the hearing officer may consider whether the person's interest is adequately represented by other parties and whether the intervention will unduly delay the proceedings or prejudice the rights of other parties;
(3) Any member of the General Assembly of the State of Georgia, who may without fee intervene on behalf of his constituents with the full rights and privileges of a designated party.
(f) The commission or hearing officer may condition any order permitting intervention so as to assure the orderly conduct of the proceeding.
(g) A person who is not a party may make a limited appearance by making an oral or written statement of his position on the issues within such limits and on such conditions as may be fixed by the hearing officer; but he may not otherwise participate in the proceeding.
(h) A party granted leave to intervene shall be present, absent good cause shown, during that portion of the proceedings for which that party has indicated a desire to be heard.
(i) An order by a hearing officer denying or conditioning an application for leave to intervene shall be immediately reviewable by the commission. An order by the commission denying or conditioning an application for leave to intervene shall be immediately reviewable as provided by law for the judicial review of final commission orders.
(j) Nothing in this Code section shall be construed to prohibit the commission from taking any action prior to the expiration of the 30 day period during which persons are permitted to file applications for leave to intervene.
As used in this article, the term:
(1) “Corporation” means any private corporation, municipal corporation, joint-stock company, partnership, association, business trust, or other organized group of persons, whether incorporated or not, or a receiver or trustee of any of the foregoing.
(2) “Person” means an individual or a corporation.
(3) “Utility” means any person who supplies, furnishes, or sells a utility service.
(4) “Utility service” means gas or electricity which is supplied, sold, or furnished by any person subject to the jurisdiction of the commission.
(a) Subject to subsection (b) of this Code section, the commission shall have the power and authority to allocate any utility service in such manner as it deems proper in order to protect the public health, safety, or welfare, including for such purposes the power and authority to alter, amend, suspend, or terminate any existing rate, schedule, contract, rule, or regulation affecting such utility service and to prescribe new or additional rates, schedules, contracts, rules, or regulations affecting such utility service, provided that in any event such rates, schedules, contracts, rules, or regulations as are altered, amended, or prescribed by the commission shall be just and reasonable.
(b) Before the commission may exercise the power and authority granted by subsection (a) of this Code section, it must:
(1) Find, after a hearing respecting the manner, if any, in which the commission should exercise such power and authority, as well as the necessity therefor, such hearing to be initiated by the commission on its own motion or by any person and to be preceded by notice to the persons affected, that there exists a shortage in the quantities of such utility service available in this state or in any portion of the state, or that such a shortage is imminent, and that it is necessary for the commission to exercise such power and authority in order to protect the public health, safety, or welfare; or
(2) Find that an emergency exists with respect to the quantities of such utility service available in this state or in any portion of the state, and that it is necessary for the commission to exercise such power and authority in order to protect the public health, safety, or welfare before notice and hearing can be afforded to the persons affected; provided, however, that the directives, rulings, and orders of the commission respecting such utility service based upon a finding that an emergency exists pursuant to this paragraph shall be temporary and provisional and the commission shall, as soon as practicable under the circumstances, afford notice and hearing to the persons affected as to whether such directives, rulings, or orders of the commission shall be continued, modified, made permanent, or otherwise affected.
Any person who supplies, furnishes, sells, limits, withholds, receives, or otherwise acts with respect to any utility service in accordance with a directive, ruling, or order entered by the commission pursuant to the authority granted by Code Section 46-2-71 will not be held liable to any other person by reason thereof in any action at law or in equity.
If any company under the jurisdiction of the commission does, causes to be done, or permits to be done any act which is prohibited, forbidden, or declared to be unlawful, or fails to do any act which is required either by a law of this state or by an order of the commission, such company shall be liable to the persons affected thereby for all loss, damage, or injury caused thereby or resulting therefrom. An action to recover for such loss, damage, or injury may be brought in any court of competent jurisdiction by any such person. In case of recovery, if the jury finds that such act or failure to act was willful, it may fix a reasonable attorney's fee, which shall be taxed and collected as part of the costs of the case.
(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this Code section, any person, firm, or corporation (referred to in this Code section as a “utility”) subject to the jurisdiction of the commission, which utility willfully violates any law administered by the commission or any duly promulgated regulation issued thereunder or which fails, neglects, or refuses to comply with any order after notice thereof, shall be liable to a penalty not to exceed $15,000.00 for such violation and an additional penalty not to exceed $10,000.00 for each day during which such violation continues.
(b) Any operator which violates any rule or regulation of the commission prescribed pursuant to subsection (i) of Code Section 46-2-20, or which fails, neglects, or refuses to comply with any order after notice thereof, shall be liable to a penalty not to exceed the maximum penalties provided for in 49 C.F.R. Section 190.223. As used in this subsection, the term “operator” means any person who engages in the transportation of natural gas by pipeline.
(c)(1) The commission, after a hearing conducted after not less than 30 days' notice, shall determine whether any utility has willfully violated any law administered by the commission or any duly promulgated regulation issued thereunder, or has failed, neglected, or refused to comply with any order of the commission. Upon an appropriate finding of a violation, the commission may impose by order such civil penalties as are provided by either subsection (a) or (b) of this Code section, but not both. In each such proceeding, the commission shall maintain a record as provided in paragraph (8) of subsection (a) of Code Section 50-13-13 including all pleadings, a transcript of proceedings, a statement of each matter of which the commission takes official notice, and all staff memoranda or data submitted to the commission in connection with its consideration of the case. All penalties and interest thereon (at the rate of 10 percent per annum) recovered by the commission shall be paid into the general fund of the state treasury.
(2) Any party aggrieved by a decision of the commission may seek judicial review as provided in subsection (d) of this Code section.
(d)(1) Any party who has exhausted all administrative remedies available before the commission and who is aggrieved by a final decision of the commission in a proceeding described in subsection (c) of this Code section may seek judicial review of the final order of the commission in the Superior Court of Fulton County.
(2) Proceedings for review shall be instituted by filing a petition within 30 days after the service of the final decision of the commission or, if a rehearing is requested, within 30 days after the decision thereon. A motion for rehearing or reconsideration after a final decision by the commission shall not be a prerequisite to the filing of a petition for review. Copies of the petition shall be served upon the commission and all parties of record before the commission.
(3) The petition shall state the nature of the petitioner's interest, the facts showing that the petitioner is aggrieved by the decision, and the ground, as specified in paragraph (6) of this subsection, upon which the petitioner contends that the decision should be reversed. The petition may be amended by leave of court.
(4) Within 30 days after service of the petition, or within such further time as is stipulated by the parties or as is allowed by the court, the agency shall transmit to the reviewing court the original or a certified copy of the entire record of the proceedings under review. By stipulation of all parties to the review proceedings, the record may be shortened. A party unreasonably refusing to stipulate that the record be limited may be taxed for the additional costs. The court may require or permit subsequent corrections or additions to the record.
(5) If, before the date set for hearing, application is made to the court for leave to present additional evidence, and it is shown to the satisfaction of the court that the additional evidence is material and there were good reasons for failure to present it in the proceedings before the agency, the court may order that the additional evidence be taken before the commission upon such procedure as is determined by the court. The commission may modify its findings and decision by reason of the additional evidence and shall file that evidence and any modifications, new findings, or decisions with the reviewing court.
(6) The review shall be conducted by the court without a jury and shall be confined to the record. The court shall not substitute its judgment for that of the commission as to the weight of the evidence on questions of fact. The court may affirm the decision of the commission or remand the case for further proceedings. The court may reverse the decision of the commission if substantial rights of the petitioner have been prejudiced because the commission's findings, inferences, conclusions, or decisions are:
(A) In violation of constitutional or statutory provisions;
(B) In excess of the statutory authority of the commission;
(C) Made upon unlawful procedure;
(D) Clearly not supported by any reliable, probative, and substantial evidence on the record as a whole; or
(E) Arbitrary or capricious.
(7) A party aggrieved by an order of the court in a proceeding authorized under subsection (c) of this Code section may appeal to the Supreme Court of Georgia or to the Court of Appeals of Georgia in accordance with Article 2 of Chapter 6 of Title 5, the “Appellate Practice Act.”
(e) The commission may file in the superior court in the county in which the person under order resides or in the county in which the violation occurred or, if the person is a corporation, in the county in which the corporation maintains its principal place of business a certified copy of a final order of the commission unappealed or of a final order of the commission affirmed upon appeal, whereupon the court shall render judgment in accordance therewith and notify the parties. The judgment shall have the same effect, and all proceedings in relation thereto shall thereafter be the same, as though the judgment had been rendered in an action duly heard and determined by the court.
(a) Every company under the jurisdiction of the commission, and all officers, agents, and employees of every such company, shall obey, observe, and comply with every order made by the commission under authority of law. Any company under the jurisdiction of the commission, or any officer, agent, or employee thereof, who or which violates any provision of this Code section, or who or which fails, omits, or neglects to obey, observe, and comply with any rule, regulation, order, direction, or requirement of the commission, shall forfeit to the state a sum of not more than $5,000.00 for each offense, the amount to be fixed by the presiding judge. Every violation of this Code section or any other Code section, or of any rule, regulation, order, direction, or requirement of the commission shall be a separate and distinct offense; in case of a continued violation, every day a violation thereof takes place shall be deemed a separate and distinct offense.
(b) An action for the recovery of the penalty provided in subsection (a) of this Code section may be brought in the county of the principal office in this state of such company, or in the county of the state where such violation occurs and such wrong is perpetrated, or in any county in this state through which the company operates. Where the violation consists of an excessive charge for the carriage of freight or passengers or for any other service rendered, as such violation is described in Code Section 46-9-250, an action may be brought in any county in which the charges are made, or through which counties it was intended that such passengers or freight should have been carried, or through which counties such company operates. Any action pursuant to this Code section shall be brought in the name of the state by direction of the Governor.
(c) Any proceeding to enforce the penalty provided in subsection (a) of this Code section may be tried at the first term of the court to which it is brought and shall be given precedence over other business by the presiding judge. The court shall not be adjourned until such proceeding is legally continued or disposed of. The decision in such case may be taken to the Court of Appeals as in other cases.
Every officer, agent, or employee of any company under the jurisdiction of the commission who violates or procures, aids, or abets any violation by any such company of any provision of this title; or who fails to obey, observe, or comply with any order of the commission; or who aids or abets any such company in its failure to obey, observe, and comply with any such order, direction, or provision, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. Such officer, agent, or employee shall be subject to prosecution in any county in which the company or the officer, agent, or employee violates any provision of this title or any provision of any order of the commission, or in any county through which the company operates. Such officer, agent, or employee shall also be subject to prosecution under this title in any county in which a subordinate agent or employee of the company violates any provision of this title, by the approval or direction, or in consequence of the approval or direction, of such officer, agent, or employee; and the agent or employee who locally in any county violates the rules or directions of said commission pursuant to the direction or authority of a superior officer may be called as a witness and be compelled to testify as to the authority by which he acted. Such testimony shall not be used against such subordinate employee or agent, nor shall he thereafter be subject to prosecution for said offense.
The commission may bring a civil action to enjoin the violation of any law administered by the commission or any rule, order, or regulation established by the commission. It shall not be necessary to allege or prove that there is no adequate remedy at law to obtain an injunction under this Code section.
(a) Each electric utility shall provide for the appointment by its board of directors of an audit committee consisting solely of directors who are not officers or employees of the electric utility. Such audit committee shall make an annual examination into the affairs of the electric utility and report the result of such audit in writing to the board of directors at its next regular meeting.
(b) The report provided for in subsection (a) of this Code section shall state whether the electric utility is in a sound condition and whether adequate internal audit controls and procedures are being maintained and shall recommend to the board of directors such changes in the manner of conducting the affairs of the electric utility as shall be deemed advisable. The board of directors shall report in writing to the commission that such audit has been made and reviewed by the board of directors.
(a) Not more frequently than every five years, the commission shall cause to be performed a management audit of each electric utility to determine whether it is being managed in an efficient and effective manner.
(b) The management audit provided for in this Code section shall be performed by a qualified and reputable management auditor of national reputation, to be selected by the commission from a list of not less than three such auditors, which list shall be made up by mutual agreement of the commission and the electric utility. The management auditor shall report the results of the audit to the commission.
(c) In the event that the commission and the electric utility are unable to agree on a list of management auditors, either party may petition the Superior Court of Fulton County to select, within 30 days of filing, such a list after a hearing on the petition.
(d) The audited electric utility shall pay for the management audit. The cost of the management audit shall be recognized by the commission as an operating expense of the utility; and the utility's rates shall be fixed by the commission to recover this retail expense amortized over such period as the commission may direct.
This part shall be known as the “Georgia Territorial Electric Service Act.”
The public interest requires, and it is declared to be the policy of the State of Georgia, that, in order (1) to assure the most efficient, economical, and orderly rendering of retail electric service within the state, (2) to inhibit duplication of the lines of electric suppliers, (3) to foster the extension and location of electric supplier lines in the manner most compatible with the preservation and enhancement of the state's physical environment, and (4) to protect and conserve lines lawfully constructed by electric suppliers, it is necessary and appropriate that the state establish and implement a plan whereby every geographic area within the state shall be either assigned to an electric supplier or declared unassigned as to any electric supplier; that, to accomplish such a plan, it is necessary that all electric suppliers within the state be subject to this part; that the commission be delegated power, authority, and jurisdiction with respect to such plan; and that all electric membership corporations and all municipalities which furnish retail electric service be additionally subject to regulation by the commission in the same manner as provided for regulation of electric light and power companies, except as to the fixing of their rates, charges, and service rules and regulations, it being determined by the General Assembly that such electric membership corporations and municipalities, which by their corporate nature are wholly or substantially controlled by their consumers, should for regulatory purposes be classified differently in certain respects from electric light and power companies.
As used in this part, the term:
(1) “Assigned area” means an enclosed geographic area assigned to only one electric supplier by the commission or by this part, and inside which the assignee electric supplier shall have the exclusive right to extend and continue furnishing service to new premises, except as otherwise provided in this part.
(2) “Electric membership corporation” has the meaning provided by paragraph (3) of Code Section 46-3-171.
(3) “Electric supplier” means any electric light and power company subject to regulation by the commission, any electric membership corporation furnishing retail service in this state, and any municipality which furnishes such service within this state.
(4) “Line” means any conductor for the distribution or transmission of electricity other than a conductor operating at a potential of 120,000 volts or more. However, a conductor that initially constitutes a line shall not cease being a line if, after March 29, 1973, it is operating at a potential in excess of 120,000 volts.
(5) “Municipality” means:
(A) Any geographically defined political subdivision of this state, other than a county, performing or authorized to perform multiple and substantial municipal functions, specifically including either the function of furnishing retail electric service or the function of granting to electric suppliers street franchise rights for use in furnishing retail electric service;
(B) Any geographically defined political subdivision, or agency thereof, of this state if at any relevant time it lawfully furnishes retail electric service; and
(C) Any political subdivision of any other state which furnishes retail electric service within this state.
(6) “Premises” means the building, structure, or facility to which electricity is being or is to be furnished, provided that two or more buildings, structures, or facilities which are located on one tract or contiguous tracts of land and are utilized by one electric consumer shall together constitute one premises; provided, however, that any such building, structure, or facility shall not, together with any other building, structure, or facility, constitute one premises if the permanent service to it is separately metered and the charges for such service are calculated independently of charges for service to any other building, structure, or facility; provided, further, that an outdoor security light, or an outdoor sign requiring less than 2200 watts, shall not constitute a premises.
(7) “Primary supplier” within a municipality in existence on March 29, 1973, means, either:
(A) That electric supplier which, on March 29, 1973, is furnishing service to the majority or to a plurality, whichever is the case, of the retail electric meters then inside the corporate limits of the municipality; or
(B) That electric supplier to which the commission has reassigned a geographic area, previously assigned to another electric supplier, located within such municipality as its limits existed on March 29, 1973.
(8) “Secondary supplier” within a municipality in existence on March 29, 1973, means any electric supplier which owns lines on that date within such municipality and which is not a primary supplier.
(9) “Service” means retail electric service and includes temporary or construction service as well as permanent service but excludes wholesale service and sales for resale.
(10) “To own” or “to belong” or the like means, wherever used in reference to lines being used by an electric supplier, to have any proprietary or possessory interest.
(11) “Unassigned area-A” means a geographic area which, between March 29, 1973, and Sept. 1, 1975, was not an assigned area and was not declared to be an unassigned area-B.
(12) “Unassigned area-B” means a geographic area which has not been assigned and which has been declared by the commission to be, or by operation of this part becomes, an unassigned area-B, and inside which an electric supplier shall have the right to extend and thereafter continue furnishing service to new premises locating therein if chosen by the consumer utilizing such premises, provided that an electric supplier whose line, as it exists on March 29, 1973, or as thereafter lawfully constructed to serve new premises pursuant to this part, is at least partially within 500 feet of such new premises shall have the exclusive right to extend and continue furnishing service to such premises if the line of every other electric supplier so existing or so thereafter constructed is at that time wholly more than 500 feet from such premises.
(13) “Wholly new municipality” means a municipality initially coming into existence after March 29, 1973, but not one resulting from the reincorporation of all or any portion of a geographic area theretofore contained in a previously existing municipality or from the merger, consolidation, or any other combination of two or more political subdivisions which are counties or incorporated cities.
After March 29, 1973, and continuing thereafter as rapidly as it is administratively practicable to do so, the commission is authorized and directed to assign to electric suppliers or to declare as unassigned areas-B all geographic areas in this state that were, on March 29, 1973, located outside the corporate limits of any municipality. Such assignments and declarations of unassignment shall be effected by the commission in accordance with the following standards:
(1) Assigned areas shall be described by defined boundaries on maps to be filed with the commission and incorporated by it in its orders. Where deemed necessary or appropriate, the commission may require boundaries to be additionally described by written metes and bounds;
(2) Each geographic area assigned shall be assigned to only one electric supplier, as determined by public convenience and necessity, having primary regard for the location of electric suppliers' lines but having no regard for differences in electric suppliers' retail rates or for the fact that retail consumers are not then being served from such lines;
(3) Each geographic area assigned shall be so assigned that its boundaries enclose land spaces in which the assignee electric supplier owns all or a preponderance of the lines, provided that a geographic area may be so assigned or declared unassigned even though it is completely surrounded by the inner boundaries of another geographic area assigned to an electric supplier. Boundaries will be located around the perimeter of such land spaces so as to be approximately 1,000 feet from the nearest of the assignee electric supplier's lines so enclosed, provided that if the lines of two or more electric suppliers are closer together than 2,000 feet, the boundary shall be located approximately halfway between them; provided, however, that where compelling factors of public convenience and necessity so require, including the need for using natural and manmade landmarks for boundary references, the location of a boundary may vary somewhat more or somewhat less than such 1,000 foot or halfway distance; provided, further, that such 1,000 foot or halfway distance standards shall not apply to any lines of the assignee electric supplier which extend from inside the assigned area outside such area or to any lines of any other electric supplier which extend from outside the area inside or completely across such area and which do not otherwise occasion assignment or unassignment of land space, the rights and restrictions applying to such other electric supplier's lines inside such area being as provided for in paragraph (4) of this Code section;
(4) A line of an electric supplier which extends into or completely crosses a land space in which another electric supplier owns a preponderance of the lines may nevertheless be considered as the basis for assigning or declaring unassigned land space related thereto; but, unless such line so occasions an assignment or an unassignment, then, from and after the date of the assignment to an electric supplier of the geographic area within which such line is enclosed and based upon the location of both suppliers' lines on that date, the electric supplier owning such enclosed line shall have the exclusive right to extend and continue furnishing service to all new premises locating at least partially within 500 feet of such line and wholly more than 500 feet from the assignee electric supplier's lines and shall have the right, if chosen by the consumer utilizing such premises, to extend and continue furnishing service to new premises locating at least partially within 500 feet of both electric suppliers' lines but shall not otherwise have the right, unless so agreed by the assignee electric supplier and the consumer utilizing such premises, to extend and furnish service to any other premises locating inside such assigned area;
(5) Except where public convenience and necessity require their assignment, the commission shall declare as unassigned areas-B those land spaces which are not assigned to an electric supplier pursuant to any other provision of this part; and
(6) Not inconsistent with Code Section 46-3-8, any electric supplier may apply to the commission for assignment to it of one or more geographic areas or for the commission to declare one or more geographic areas to be unassigned areas-B.
Except as otherwise provided in subsection (a) of Code Section 46-3-8, all geographic areas inside the corporate limits of every municipality, as such limits existed on March 29, 1973, are assigned to the primary supplier, subject to the rights and restrictions applying to electric suppliers owning lines therein, as follows: Based upon the location of all electric suppliers' lines therein on March 29, 1973, every secondary supplier shall have the exclusive right to extend and continue furnishing service to new premises locating therein at least partially within 300 feet of its line and wholly more than 300 feet from the lines of every other electric supplier; and shall have the right, if chosen by the consumer utilizing such premises, to extend and continue furnishing service to new premises locating therein at least partially within 300 feet of both its lines and the lines of any other electric supplier; but shall not otherwise have the right, unless so agreed by the primary supplier and by any other secondary supplier whose lines are located at least partially within 300 feet thereof and the consumer utilizing such premises, to extend and continue furnishing service to any other premises locating therein, which shall be the exclusive right of the primary supplier or such other secondary supplier, if such be the case.
As to geographic areas which, after March 29, 1973, are included within the initial limits of a wholly new municipality, the rights and restrictions applying to electric suppliers shall be as follows:
(1) Any portion of such geographic area then already assigned to an electric supplier shall continue to be so assigned until and unless reassigned by the commission to another electric supplier pursuant to paragraph (1) of subsection (d) of Code Section 46-3-8; and
(2) Any portion of such geographic area which is then unassigned shall continue to be so unassigned until and unless it is assigned by the commission, taking into account the recommendation, if any, of the municipality itself, to an electric supplier pursuant to paragraph (2) of subsection (d) of Code Section 46-3-8.
Whenever, after March 29, 1973, any geographic area is annexed to a municipality including the inclusion of a geographic area in a new municipality formed by the merger, consolidation, or any other combination of a then existing municipality and one or more other geographically defined political subdivisions, if the resulting political subdivision constitutes a municipality as defined in Code Section 46-3-3, such geographic area shall be assigned or assignable or become unassigned, and the rights and restrictions applying to electric suppliers therein shall be as follows:
(1) In so much of such geographic area, if any, as was immediately theretofore within the limits of a municipality as they existed on March 29, 1973, or as they existed on the date on which a wholly new municipality came into existence, and if such annexation is caused by the merger, consolidation, or any other combination of such previously existing municipality and one or more other geographically defined political subdivisions, resulting in a political subdivision which constitutes a municipality as defined in Code Section 46-3-3, the rights and restrictions applying to all electric suppliers therein shall continue to be governed by Code Section 46-3-5 or 46-3-6, whichever is applicable;
(2) As to such geographic areas other than those provided for in paragraph (1) of this Code section:
(A) So much of such geographic area, if any, as was already assigned to a primary supplier within a municipality which was in existence on March 29, 1973, shall continue to be so assigned, provided that if such annexation is caused by the merger, consolidation, or any other combination of two or more such municipalities having different primary suppliers, such assignments shall continue in favor of such primary suppliers respectively;
(B) If the annexation is to a wholly new municipality, then so much of such geographic area, if any, as was already assigned to an electric supplier then serving as an assignee electric supplier within such municipality shall continue to be so assigned;
(C) If such annexation includes one or more wholly new municipalities or one or more municipalities which were in existence on March 29, 1973, then so much of such geographic area, if any, as was then contiguous to a wholly new municipality and was already assigned to an assignee electric supplier within such wholly new municipality, or which was contiguous to a municipality which was in existence on March 29, 1973, and was already assigned to the primary supplier within such municipality, shall continue to be so assigned;
(D) As to such geographic areas which are annexed by other than merger, consolidation, or other combination of a previously existing municipality and one or more other geographically defined political subdivisions so as to result in a political subdivision which constitutes a municipality as defined in Code Section 46-3-3 but are not provided for in paragraph (1) of this Code section or in subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C) of this paragraph, so much of such geographic area, if any, as was already assigned to any electric supplier shall continue to be so assigned. In the event the primary supplier delivers, not less than 45 nor more than 90 days prior to the effective date of such annexation, written notice of such annexation upon every other electric supplier owning lines within the county or counties in which the annexing municipality is located (or, though not in the same county, within one mile of any portion of such geographic area), such portions of such geographic area as shall not have been already assigned to any other electric supplier shall by operation of this part become assigned to the primary supplier unless, on or before the effective date of such annexation, there is filed with the commission one or more applications by one or more other electric suppliers for the assignment of any portion of such geographic area. If such an application or applications are filed, then, until there is a final determination with respect to such application or applications, the service rights and restrictions applying to electric suppliers in so much of such geographic area as is the subject matter of the application or applications shall continue as they were immediately prior to the effective date of annexation. In such a proceeding, the commission, acting in accordance with Code Section 46-3-4, may make assignments of all or any portion of such geographic area to one or more applicant electric suppliers. Any portion of such geographic area not so assigned to any other electric supplier shall, effective as of the final determination of such application or applications, be assigned by operation of this part to the primary supplier, provided that if the commission finds and determines upon complaint that such assignment to the primary supplier of any such portion thereof will be grossly inimical to the public interest, it shall designate such portion as an unassigned area-B. In any geographic area assigned by operation of this part pursuant to this subparagraph, every secondary supplier shall have, based upon the location of all secondary suppliers' lines therein on the effective date of the annexation, the exclusive right to extend and continue furnishing service to new premises locating therein at least partially within 300 feet of its line and wholly more than 300 feet from the lines of every other electric supplier; and shall have the right, if chosen by the consumer utilizing such premises, to extend and continue furnishing service to new premises locating therein at least partially within 300 feet of both its lines and the lines of any other electric supplier; but shall not otherwise have the right, unless so agreed by the assignee electric supplier and by any other secondary supplier whose lines are located at least partially within 300 feet thereof and the consumer utilizing such premises, to extend and continue furnishing service to any other premises locating therein, which shall be the exclusive right of the assignee electric supplier or such other secondary supplier, if such be the case; or
(E) If such geographic area was already an unassigned area-A or an unassigned area-B and was annexed by merger, consolidation or other combination of a previously existing municipality and one or more other geographically defined political subdivisions so as to result in a political subdivision which constitutes a municipality as defined in Code Section 46-3-3, or if such an unassigned area-A or unassigned area-B was otherwise annexed but the notice of annexation required by subparagraph (D) of this paragraph was not given, such geographic area shall, on the effective date of the annexation, become or continue to be, as the case may be, an unassigned area-B until and unless the commission assigns all or any portion thereof to an electric supplier pursuant to paragraph (2) of subsection (d) of Code Section 46-3-8.
(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this part, but subject to subsections (b) and (c) of this Code section, after March 29, 1973, service to one or more new premises (but if more than one, such premises must be located on the same tract or on contiguous tracts of land), if utilized by one consumer and having single-metered service and a connected load which, at the time of initial full operation of the premises, is 900 kilowatts or greater (excluding redundant equipment), may be extended and furnished, if chosen by the consumer:
(1) By the primary supplier within a municipality if the premises are located anywhere within the limits of such municipality as they existed on March 29, 1973;
(2) By a secondary supplier within the limits of a municipality as they existed on March 29, 1973, if the premises are located at least partially within 300 feet of the lines of such secondary supplier;
(3) By any electric supplier if the premises are located within the initial corporate limits of a wholly new municipality;
(4) By any electric supplier owning lines in a municipality if the premises are located in a geographic area annexed in any manner to such municipality after March 29, 1973; and
(5) By any electric supplier if the premises are located outside the limits of a municipality.
(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this part, but subject to subsections (c) and (h) of this Code section, every electric supplier shall have the exclusive right to continue serving any premises lawfully served by it on March 29, 1973, or thereafter lawfully served by it pursuant to this part, including any premises last and previously served by it which before or after March 29, 1973, have become disconnected from service for any reason, and including premises which before or after March 29, 1973, have been destroyed or dismantled and which are reconstructed after March 29, 1973, in substantial kind on approximately the same site.
(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of this part:
(1) Upon its own complaint or the complaint of any other electric supplier or any other interested party, the commission shall have the authority and jurisdiction, after notice to all affected electric suppliers and after hearing, if a hearing is requested by any affected electric supplier or any other interested party, to find and determine that the service of an electric supplier then serving a premises or exclusively entitled under this part to serve such premises is not adequate or dependable or that such electric supplier's rates, charges, service rules and regulations, or the application thereof unreasonably discriminate in favor of or against the consumer utilizing such premises, or that an electric supplier is in violation of subsection (b) of Code Section 46-3-11. Upon such determination, the commission shall have the authority and jurisdiction to order such electric supplier within a reasonable time to make such improvements as will make its service adequate and dependable, or to order such electric supplier within not less than 30 days to cease employing such discriminatory rates, charges, service rules and regulations, or the application thereof or the practices prohibited by subsection (b) of Code Section 46-3-11 and to substitute in lieu thereof, subject to approval by the commission, rates, charges, service rules and regulations, and practices of application thereof which are not unreasonably discriminatory, or practices in conformity with subsection (b) of Code Section 46-3-11. If the commission finds and determines in its first consideration of the matter that such electric supplier is unwilling or unable within a reasonable time to make its service adequate and dependable, or is unwilling within 30 days to cease and correct such unreasonable discrimination or practices, or if it finds in a subsequent consideration of the matter that its order to improve service, its order to cease and correct the unreasonable discrimination, or its order to cease and correct such practices has not been timely and in good faith complied with, it may then order such electric supplier to cease or desist from serving such premises and order any other electric supplier which may reasonably do so to extend and furnish service to such premises; and
(2) Upon the joint application of the affected electric suppliers, the commission shall have the authority and jurisdiction, after notice to all affected persons and after hearing, if a hearing is requested, to find and determine that the public convenience and necessity require, and thereupon to approve, the transfer of service from one electric supplier to another electric supplier.
(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this part, but subject to subsection (b) of this Code section, the commission may:
(1) If it determines that an assignee electric supplier has breached the tenets of public convenience and necessity therein, reassign all or any portion of an area assigned to that assignee electric supplier to another electric supplier; and
(2) If it determines that public convenience and necessity so require, assign to any electric supplier all or any portion of a geographic area which theretofore has been an unassigned area-A or an unassigned area-B.
(e) Notwithstanding any other provision of this part:
(1) No portion of a line constructed after March 29, 1973, by an electric supplier inside another electric supplier's assigned area, inside an unassigned area-A, or inside a municipality to serve premises which, but for the exception provided for in subsection (a) of this Code section, it would not have had the right to serve shall acquire any other service rights therein or impair or diminish any service rights of an assignee electric supplier or the service rights accruing to the lines of any electric supplier inside any assigned area, unassigned area-A, or municipality, provided that such electric supplier may extend and furnish service from such line to any other premises which it otherwise has the right to serve;
(2) No portion of a line constructed after March 29, 1973, by an electric supplier inside an unassigned area-B to serve premises which, but for the exception provided for in subsection (a) of this Code section, it would not have had the right to serve shall impair or diminish any service rights accruing to the lines of any other electric supplier inside such unassigned area-B, provided that such electric supplier may extend and furnish service from such line to any other premises which it otherwise has the right to serve;
(3) No portion of a line constructed after March 29, 1973, by an electric supplier for the initial sole purpose of furnishing service at wholesale shall acquire any other service rights or impair or diminish the service rights of any assignee electric supplier or the service rights accruing to the lines of any electric supplier, provided that such electric supplier may extend and furnish service from such line to any other premises which it otherwise has the right to serve;
(4) No electric supplier shall, after March 29, 1973, construct its lines to serve new premises except in accordance with sound electric utility standards. If, after a hearing involving the affected electric suppliers and any other interested party, the commission determines that an electric supplier is about to violate, is violating, or has violated such standards so as arbitrarily to preempt areas or arbitrarily to gain service rights for such a line, the commission is authorized and directed:
(A) To order the offending electric supplier to cease and desist such construction or to alter and relocate the same; or
(B) To declare that such line or any offending portion thereof shall not be taken into account in assigning an area or in locating an assigned area boundary or shall not acquire any service rights that would otherwise accrue thereto or impair or diminish any service rights accruing to the lines of any other electric supplier;
(5) Any electric supplier may extend and furnish service to any of its own premises devoted to public service, whether the same shall have already been served by another electric supplier, but no line constructed for such purpose after March 29, 1973, shall acquire any other service right or impair or diminish the service rights of any assignee electric supplier or the service rights accruing to the lines of any electric supplier, provided that such electric supplier may extend and furnish service from such line to other premises which it otherwise has the right to serve;
(6) No line of a secondary supplier constructed prior to March 29, 1973, which on that date is not providing retail service to one or more premises within the limits of the municipality as they exist on that date shall acquire any service rights to provide retail service to any premises located within such municipal limits as they exist on that date.
(f) The time at which an electric supplier, based upon the location or proximity of electric suppliers' lines as in this part provided for, shall be considered as having the right to extend and furnish, or as being restricted from extending and furnishing, service to new premises shall be the time at which written application for temporary construction or permanent service is made to any electric supplier by the consumer utilizing such premises or the time at which construction of such premises is commenced, whichever first occurs. The location of a premises for temporary construction service shall be deemed to be the same as the location of the premises which shall require permanent service after construction. If temporary construction service is required at one site for the purpose of beginning the construction of premises at two or more sites, this subsection shall not preclude an electric supplier, if chosen by the builder and having the right to serve at least one of the premises to be constructed, from furnishing all of such temporary construction service, notwithstanding the fact that one or more other electric suppliers may have and may exercise the exclusive right thereafter to extend and furnish the permanent service to one or more of the premises being constructed.
(g) Whenever, after March 29, 1973, any new premises requiring service are so sited as to be located partially within an assigned area, an unassigned area-A, or an unassigned area-B and also partially within any other assigned area, unassigned area-A, or unassigned area-B, such premises may be served by that electric supplier chosen by the consumer utilizing such premises from among the electric suppliers which are eligible under this part to extend and furnish such service within any of such areas.
(h) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this part, if a majority of those voters of a municipality which was not rendering electric service on March 29, 1973, approve, by means of referendum vote, the purchase, construction, extension, operation, and maintenance of an electric distribution system by that municipality, such municipality is granted the right of eminent domain to condemn all of the lines and other facilities of the primary supplier within such municipality and any secondary supplier located within the corporate limits of such municipality and used to serve customers therein at retail. This right shall expire, with respect to each such municipality, one year after the date the results of such referendum are declared unless, before that date, such municipality institutes proceedings to acquire such lines and other facilities under any of the statutory methods provided for the condemnation of private property. Upon a final order of condemnation of such lines and other facilities, such municipality shall become the primary supplier therein, the rights of the former primary supplier and any such secondary suppliers under subsection (b) of this Code section shall cease, and the consumers served thereby within such corporate limits shall be thereafter served by the municipality as the new primary supplier. The transfer of service shall be accomplished as nearly as practicable without interruption of service to the consumers. Electric suppliers are authorized to negotiate the sale and purchase of all or any part of any such lines and other facilities, and upon the transfer of title thereto the rights of the selling supplier under subsection (b) of this Code section shall cease.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no electric membership corporation shall be authorized or empowered to furnish service inside the corporate limits of any municipality except:
(1) If it is already furnishing service therein on March 29, 1973, or if its lines become annexed, including annexation that may be caused by the merger, consolidation, or any other combination of a then existing municipality and one or more other geographically defined political subdivisions, if the resulting political subdivision constitutes a municipality as defined in Code Section 46-3-3, or if its lines become included in a wholly new municipality, in any of which events the other relevant Code sections of this part shall apply and prevail;
(2) To extend and furnish service initially inside a municipality the population of which at the time of such initial service is 1,500 or less, but not inconsistently with the other Code sections of this part; or
(3) Notwithstanding paragraphs (1) and (2) of this Code section, if the municipality and all electric suppliers then furnishing service inside such municipality or furnishing electric service to the municipality at wholesale so consent.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no electric supplier shall be authorized or empowered to exercise the power of eminent domain for the purpose of acquiring any property, whether real or personal, of another electric supplier which property is devoted to the public use in furnishing wholesale or retail electric service if such acquisition would destroy or unduly impair or interfere with the operation or use of such property by such other electric supplier.
(a) Every electric supplier is prohibited from having or applying any rate, charge, or service rule or regulation which unreasonably discriminates against or in favor of (1) any member of a class of consumers as opposed to any other consumer who is or should be in the same class of consumers for such purposes, or (2) any class of its consumers as opposed to another class of consumers for such purposes, provided that this prohibition shall not apply to any rate, charge, or service rule or regulation relating solely to service rendered by a municipality to consumers whose premises are located within its limits as they existed on March 29, 1973.
(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, every electric supplier is prohibited from, directly or indirectly, by ordinance, law, policy, contract, rate, regulation, or otherwise:
(1) Requiring that a consumer receive retail electric service from such electric supplier as a condition for such consumer to receive from such electric supplier or any other person any goods or other services that are not reasonably related to the furnishing of retail electric service to such consumer's premises;
(2) Offering a consumer lesser charges or more favorable terms or conditions for retail electric service because of such consumer's receiving or agreeing to receive from such electric supplier any goods or other services that are not reasonably related to the furnishing of retail electric service to such consumer's premises;
(3) Imposing higher charges for any goods or other services that are not reasonably related to the furnishing of retail electric service to a consumer's premises because of such consumer's failure or refusal to receive retail electric service from that supplier; or
(4) Furnishing retail electric service to any premises which such electric supplier is not entitled to serve under this part.
All electric membership corporations which furnish service in the State of Georgia and all municipalities, whether incorporated by this state or not, which furnish service inside the state shall, in addition to the manner and extent otherwise provided for in this part, be subject to the authority and jurisdiction of the commission in the same manner as electric light and power companies are subject under other laws of the State of Georgia and regulations of the commission pursuant thereto, provided that the rates, charges, and service rules and regulations of electric membership corporations and municipalities shall be filed with the commission and shall be subject to Code Section 46-3-11 but shall not otherwise be fixed by the commission; provided, further, that securities issued by a municipality relating solely to service rendered inside its limits as they existed on March 29, 1973, shall not be subject to regulation by the commission; provided, further, that service rendered by any electric supplier shall be made pursuant to and consistent with its rates, charges, and service rules and regulations then in effect.
At any time, upon its own complaint or the complaint of any other electric supplier or any other interested party, the commission shall have the authority and jurisdiction, after notice to all affected electric suppliers and other interested parties, and after a hearing, to enforce the provisions of this part by appropriate orders.
(a) No provision of this part shall restrict the reasonable exercise of the police power of a municipality over the erection and maintenance of poles, wires, and other facilities of electric suppliers in streets, alleys, and public ways.
(b) No municipality may, by unreasonably withholding or conditioning right of way easements or franchises, defeat, impair, or interfere with the rights and restrictions applying to electric suppliers therein as provided for in this part. Rather, any secondary supplier within a municipality existing on March 29, 1973, and any electric supplier other than the primary supplier within any geographic area thereafter annexed to such municipality, shall pay the municipality for street franchise rights a sum of money calculated and payable in the same manner and on the same basis as is utilized with respect to the payment, if any, by the primary supplier (other than the municipality itself) for the same or substantially identical rights. In addition, any electric supplier within a wholly new municipality at the time such municipality comes into existence or thereafter which does not serve a majority or plurality of the retail electric meters inside the limits of such municipality shall pay such municipality for street franchise rights a sum of money calculated and payable in the same manner and on the same basis as is utilized with respect to the payment, if any, by the electric supplier (other than the municipality itself) which serves a majority or plurality, whichever is the case, of the retail electric meters inside the limits of such municipality for the same or substantially identical rights.
(c) No provision of this part shall abolish the power of any incorporated municipality pursuant to paragraph (7) of Code Section 36-34-2 or any other provision of law to grant street franchises; nor shall any provision of this part abolish the requirement, to the extent existing on March 29, 1973, that any electric supplier must obtain such a franchise in order to use and occupy streets of an incorporated municipality for the purpose of rendering utility services.
No provision of this part, and no application thereof, shall be construed in any way to regulate or fix charges of county owned or operated or municipality owned or operated public utilities, as prohibited by Article III, Section VI, Paragraph V(d) of the Constitution of Georgia.
This part shall be known and may be cited as the “High-voltage Safety Act.”
The purpose of this part is to prevent injury to persons and property and interruptions of utility service resulting from accidental or inadvertent contact with high-voltage electric lines by providing that no work shall be done in the vicinity of such lines unless and until the owner or operator thereof has been notified of such work and has taken one of the safety measures prescribed in this part.
As used in this part, the term:
(1) “High-voltage lines” means an electric line or lines installed above ground level having a voltage in excess of 750 volts between conductors or from any conductor to ground.
(2) “Notice” means actual notification given to the center.
(3) “Person responsible for the work” means the person actually doing the work as well as any person, firm, or corporation who employs and carries on his payroll any person actually doing the work or who employs a subcontractor who actually does the work; provided, however, that this term does not mean one who is exempted under Code Sections 46-3-37 and 46-3-38.
(4) “Utilities protection center” or “center” means the corporation or other organization formed by utilities which receives advance notifications regarding work and distributes such notifications to its utility members.
(5) “Utility” means any person operating or maintaining high-voltage lines within the state.
(6) “Work” means the physical act of performing or preparing to perform any activity under, over, by, or near high-voltage lines, including, but not limited to, the operation, erection, handling, storage, or transportation of any tools, machinery, ladders, antennas, equipment, supplies, materials, or apparatus or the moving of any house or other structure whenever such activity is done by a person or entity in pursuit of his trade or business.
No person, firm, or corporation shall commence any work as defined in paragraph (6) of Code Section 46-3-32 if at any time any person or any item specified in paragraph (6) of Code Section 46-3-32 may be brought within ten feet of any high-voltage line unless and until:
(1) The person responsible for the work has given the notice required by Code Section 46-3-34; and
(2) The owner or operator of such high-voltage line has effectively guarded against danger from accidental contact by either deenergizing and grounding the line, relocating it, or installing protective covering or mechanical barriers, whichever safeguard is deemed by the owner or operator to be feasible under the circumstances.
(a) All utilities shall organize, participate as members in, and cooperate with the utilities protection center. In lieu of organizing a new center, if the organization defined as the Utilities Protection Center (UPC) in Code Section 25-9-3 undertakes to serve as the utilities protection center referred to in this part, it may do so and no duplicative center shall thereafter be established. The activities of the center relating to high-voltage lines shall be funded by all utilities.
(b) Where work is to be done, the person responsible for such work shall give notice to the utilities protection center during its regular business hours at least 72 hours, excluding weekends and holidays, prior to commencing such work and such notice shall:
(1) Describe the tract or parcel of land upon which the work to be done is to take place with sufficient particularity to enable the owner or operator of the high-voltage lines to ascertain the precise tract or parcel of land involved;
(2) State the name, address, and telephone number of the person who will be in charge of the work;
(3) Describe the type of work to be engaged in by the person; and
(4) Designate the date upon which the work will commence and will be completed.
(c) After receipt of the notice required by subsection (b) of this Code section, the owner or operator of the high-voltage line shall contact the person whose name is given as required by paragraph (2) of subsection (b) of this Code section within a reasonable time, so that appropriate satisfactory arrangements can be made for the completion of the safety precautions required by Code Section 46-3-33, including coordination of work schedules and payment of costs required to effect such safety precautions. Upon completion of such arrangements, the owner or operator of such high-voltage line shall effect such safety precautions within a reasonable time.
(d) If, after such arrangements are made, a delay in commencing the work is encountered, then the person responsible for the work shall be required to give a new notice as specified in subsection (b) of this Code section.
(e) The person responsible for the work shall be responsible to assure that the safety requirements of Code Section 46-3-33 are completed prior to the commencement of any such work.
Where, during any public highway construction, any temporary precautionary measure is required by this part to guard against accidental contact with high-voltage lines that are located upon public highways or roads which are owned by this state or a county thereof and which are located outside the corporate limits of any municipality, the expense of such temporary precautionary measure shall be borne by the owner or operator of such lines, provided that such construction is undertaken pursuant to a permit issued by the state or county, for which permit neither the state nor the county received consideration. The person responsible for the work nevertheless shall not commence any work until he has given notice as required by Code Section 46-3-34 and the safety precautions required by Code Section 46-3-33 have been effected.
(a) This part shall not be construed as applying to the construction, reconstruction, operation, and maintenance of overhead electrical conductors and their supporting structures and associated equipment by authorized and qualified electrical workers. Specifically, this part shall not be construed as applying to the construction, reconstruction, operation, and maintenance of overhead electrical circuits or conductors and their supporting structures and associated equipment for rail transportation systems or for electrical generating, transmission, and distribution systems or for communication systems, when such work is performed by authorized and qualified employees of any person engaged in such work.
(b) When applied to railway systems, the exception provided in this Code section shall be construed as permitting operation of standard rail equipment which is normally used in the transportation of freight or passengers, or both, or in the operation of relief trains or other equipment in emergencies, or in the maintenance of way service, at a distance of less than ten feet from any high-voltage conductor of such railway system; provided, however, that normal repair or construction operations at a distance of less than ten feet from any high-voltage conductor by other than properly qualified and authorized persons or employees under the direct supervision of an authorized person who is familiar with the hazards involved is prohibited, unless there has been compliance with the safety provisions of Code Section 46-3-33.
(c) Any telephone company or other entity which has a joint use contract with an electric company is specifically exempted from this part.
In addition to the exceptions set forth in Code Section 46-3-37, this part shall not be construed as applying to and shall not apply to the moving or transportation of houses or buildings or parts thereof when such moving is under the jurisdiction of, and is undertaken pursuant to authority granted by, the Department of Public Safety.
(a) The owner or operator of high-voltage lines shall not be liable for damage or loss to person or property resulting from work within ten feet of high-voltage lines unless notice has been given as required by Code Section 46-3-34 and the owner or operator of the high-voltage line has failed to comply with the provisions of Code Section 46-3-33.
(b) Except as provided in subsection (a) of this Code section, nothing in this part shall be construed or applied so as to limit or reduce the duty or degree of care applicable to owners or operators of high-voltage lines with respect to damage or loss to person or property.
(a) Any person responsible for the work who violates any of the provisions of this part shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be liable for a fine of $1,000.00 for a first offense and $3,000.00 for a second or subsequent offense.
(b) Any person responsible for the work who violates the requirements of Code Section 46-3-33 and whose subsequent activities within the vicinity of high-voltage lines result in damage to utility facilities or result in injury or damage to person or property shall be strictly liable for said injury or damage. Any such person shall also indemnify the owner or operator of such high-voltage lines against all claims, if any, for personal injury, including death, property damage, or service interruptions, including costs incurred in defending any such claims resulting from work in violation of Code Section 46-3-33.
(c) In the event the owner or operator of the high-voltage line fails to effect the safeguards required by Code Section 46-3-33 within a reasonable time after notice is given and appropriate arrangements are made pursuant to Code Section 46-3-34, such owner or operator shall be liable for the reasonable costs incurred by any such delay.
This part shall be known and may be cited as “The Georgia Cogeneration and Distributed Generation Act of 2001.”
(a) The legislature finds that it is in the public interest to:
(1) Encourage private investment in renewable energy resources;
(2) Stimulate the economic growth of Georgia; and
(3) Enhance the continued diversification of the energy resources used in Georgia.
(b) The General Assembly further finds and declares that a program to provide distributed generation for eligible cogenerators is a way to encourage private investment in renewable energy resources, stimulate in-state economic growth, enhance the continued diversification of this state's energy resource mix, and reduce interconnection and administrative costs.
As used in this part, the term:
(1) “Bidirectional metering” means measuring the amount of electricity supplied by an electric service provider and the amount fed back to the electric service provider by the customer's distributed generation facility using the same meter.
(2) “Cogeneration facility” means a facility, other than a distributed generation facility, which produces electric energy, steam, or other forms of useful energy (such as heat) which are used for industrial, commercial, heating, or cooling purposes.
(3) “Commission” means the Georgia Public Service Commission.
(4) “Customer generator” means the owner and operator of a distributed generation facility.
(5) “Distributed generation facility” means a facility owned and operated by a customer of the electric service provider for the production of electrical energy that:
(A) Uses a solar Photovoltaic system, fuel cell, or wind turbine;
(B) Has a peak generating capacity of not more than 10kw for a residential application and 100kw for a commercial application;
(C) Is located on the customer's premises;
(D) Operates in parallel with the electric service provider's distribution facilities;
(E) Connected to the electric service provider's distribution system on either side of the electric service provider's meter; and
(F) Is intended primarily to offset part or all of the customer generator's requirements for electricity.
(6) “Electric membership corporation” means a corporation organized under Article 2 of this chapter.
(7) “Electric service provider” means any electric utility, electric membership corporation, or municipal electric utility that is engaged in the business of distributing electricity to retail electric customers in the state.
(8) “Electric supplier” means any electric utility, electric membership corporation furnishing wholesale service, any municipal electric utility or any other person which furnishes wholesale service to any municipality, and the Tennessee Valley Authority.
(9) “Electric utility” means any retail supplier of electricity whose rates are fixed by the commission.
(10) “Municipal electric utility” means a city or town that owns or operates an electric utility.
(11) “Person” means a natural person, corporation, trust, partnership, incorporated or unincorporated association, or any other legal entity.
(12) “Renewable energy sources” means energy supplied from technologies as approved in the Georgia Green Pricing Accreditation Program.
(a) Any person may operate a cogeneration facility without being subject to the jurisdiction or regulation of the commission if such person uses all of the electric energy, steam, or other form of useful energy produced at such cogeneration facility. The electric energy shall not be sold to any other person except as provided in subsection (b) of this Code section.
(b) Any person may operate a cogeneration facility and sell any excess electric energy to an electric supplier without being subject to the jurisdiction or regulation of the commission; provided, however, that nothing in this article shall except a person from compliance with federal law.
An electric service provider:
(1) Shall make either bidirectional metering or single directional metering available to customer generators depending on how the distributed generation facility is connected to the distribution system of the electric service provider;
(2) Shall enter into a written agreement with the customer generator to charge the customer generator the rate established by the commission, or the appropriate governing body, in the case of any other electric service provider or electric supplier, for metering services;
(3) In setting the fees for metering service, the commission, or the appropriate governing body, in the case of any other electric service provider or electric supplier, will include the direct costs associated with interconnecting or administering metering services or distributed generation facilities and will not allocate these costs among the utility's entire customer base; and
(4) In establishing such a fee for metering services, the electric service provider shall not charge the customer generator any standby, capacity, interconnection, or other fee or charge, other than a monthly service charge, unless agreed to by the customer generator or approved by the commission, in the case of an electric utility, or the appropriate governing body, in the case of any other electric service provider or electric supplier.
Consistent with the other provisions of this chapter, the energy flow shall be measured and paid for in the following manner:
(1) If the distributed generation facilities are connected to the electric service provider's distribution system on the customer generator's side of the customer's meter, the electric service provider shall:
(A) Measure the electricity produced or consumed during the billing period, in accordance with normal metering practices using bidirectional metering;
(B) When the electricity supplied by the electric service provider exceeds the electricity generated by the customer's distributed generation, the electricity shall be billed by the electric service provider, in accordance with tariffs filed with the commission; or
(C) When electricity generated by the customer's distributed generation system exceeds the electricity supplied by the electric service provider, the customer generator:
(i) Shall be billed for the appropriate customer charges for that billing period; and
(ii) Shall be credited for the excess kilowatt-hours generated during the billing period at an agreed to rate as filed with the commission, with this kilowatt-hour credit appearing on the bill for the billing period; or
(2) If the distributed generation facilities are connected to the electric service provider's distribution system on the electric service provider's side of the customer's meter, the electric service provider shall:
(A) Measure the electricity produced or consumed during the billing period, in accordance with normal metering practices using single directional metering;
(B) Charge the customer generator a minimum monthly fee as established in Code Section 46-3-54; and
(C) If there is electricity generated by the customer generator for the billing period, the customer generator shall be compensated at an agreed to rate as filed with the commission.
(a) An electric service provider will only be required to purchase energy as specified in Code Section 46-3-55 from an eligible customer generator on a first-come, first-served basis until the cumulative generating capacity of all renewable energy sources equals 0.2 percent of the utility's annual peak demand in the previous year; provided, however, that no electric service provider will be required to purchase such energy at a price above avoided energy cost unless that amount of energy has been subscribed under any renewable energy program.
(b) Once the capacity is subscribed, an electric service provider may purchase energy from an eligible customer generator at a cost of energy as defined for a utility by the commission, in the case of an electric utility, or by the appropriate governing body, in the case of any other electric service provider or electric supplier.
(c) A distributed generation facility used by a customer generator shall include, at the customer's own expense, all equipment necessary to meet applicable safety, power quality, and interconnection requirements established by the National Electrical Code, National Electrical Safety Code, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, and Underwriters Laboratories.
(d) The commission, in the case of an electric utility, or the appropriate governing body, in the case of other electric service providers or electric suppliers, after appropriate notice and opportunity for comment, may adopt by regulation additional safety, power quality, and interconnection requirements for customer generator that the commission or governing body determines are necessary to protect public safety and system reliability.
(e) An electric service provider may not require a customer generator whose distributed generation facility meets the standards in subsections (a) and (b) of this Code section, to comply with additional safety or performance standards, perform or pay for additional tests, or purchase additional liability insurance.
(f) No electric service provider or electric supplier shall be liable to any person, directly or indirectly, for loss of property, injury, or death resulting from the interconnection of a cogenerator or distributed generation facility to its electrical system.
This part shall be known and may be cited as the “Solar Power Free-Market Financing Act of 2015.”
The General Assembly hereby finds and declares that:
(1) It is in the public interest to facilitate customers of electric service providers to invest in and install on their property solar technologies of their choice;
(2) Free-market financing of solar technologies may provide more customers with opportunities to install solar technology;
(3) Solar energy procurement agreements, and other similar financing arrangements, including those in which the payments are based on the performance and output of the solar technology installed on the property of customers of electric service providers, are financing arrangements which may help reduce or eliminate upfront costs involved in solar technology investments and installation by such customers; and
(4) Individuals and entities which offer or receive such financing opportunities through solar energy procurement agreements pursuant to this part should not be considered or treated as electric service providers.
As used in this part, the term:
(1) “Affiliate” means any entity directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with an electric service provider.
(2) “Capacity limit” means a peak generating capacity in alternating current that is no greater than:
(A) Ten kilowatts, for a residential application; or
(B) One hundred and twenty-five percent of the actual or expected maximum annual peak demand of the premises the solar technology serves, for a commercial application.
(3) “Control” means the power to significantly influence the management and policies of any affiliate, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract, or otherwise.
(4) “Electric service provider” means any electric supplier that is engaged in the business of distributing electricity to retail electric customers in this state.
(5) “Electric supplier” has the same meaning as provided in paragraph (3) of Code Section 46-3-3.
(6) “Entity” means any business entity, including, but not limited to, a corporation, partnership, limited liability company, or sole proprietorship.
(7) “Maximum annual peak demand” means the maximum single hour electric demand actually occurring or expected to occur at a premises, measured at the premises' electrical meter.
(8) “Person” means any individual or entity.
(9) “Premises” has the same meaning as provided in paragraph (6) of Code Section 46-3-3.
(10) “Property” means the tract of land on which a premises is located, together with all adjacent contiguous tracts of land utilized by the same retail electric customer.
(11) “Retail electric customer” means a person who purchases electric service from an electric service provider for such person's use and not for the purpose of resale.
(12) “Solar energy procurement agreement” means any agreement, lease, or other arrangement under which a solar financing agent finances the installation, operation, or both of solar technology in which the payments are based on the performance and output of the solar technology installed on the property.
(13) “Solar financing agent” means any person, including an electric service provider and an affiliate, whose business includes the leasing, financing, or installation of solar technology.
(14) “Solar technology” means a system that:
(A) Generates electric energy that is fueled solely by ambient sunlight;
(B) Is installed upon property owned or occupied by a retail electric customer; and
(C) Is connected to the electric service provider's distribution system on either side of the electric service provider's meter.
(a) Solar technology at or below the capacity limit may be financed by a retail electric customer through a solar financing agent utilizing a solar energy procurement agreement, provided that:
(1) Such solar technology and the installation thereof complies with all applicable state laws and all applicable county and municipal ordinances and permitting requirements; and
(2) The retail electric customer or the solar financing agent gives notice to the electric service provider serving the premises at least 30 days prior to operation of such solar technology.
(b) No electric service provider shall prevent or otherwise interfere with the installation, operation, or financing of solar technology by a retail electric customer through a solar financing agent pursuant to subsection (a) of this Code section, except that an electric service provider may require the retail electric customer to meet applicable safety, power quality, and interconnection requirements as provided in Code Section 46-3-64.
(c) An electric service provider not acting as a solar financing agent at the specific property where the liability arises shall not be liable for any loss of assets, injury, or death that may arise from, be caused by, or relate to:
(1) The act, or failure to act, of the retail electric customer or the solar financing agent relating to the solar technology;
(2) The solar energy procurement agreement or any other agreement between the retail electric customer and the solar financing agent; or
(3) The solar technology.
(d) A solar financing agent which is not an electric service provider or affiliate may provide solar energy procurement agreements authorized by this part, notwithstanding the restrictions of Part 1 of this article.
(e) A property with multiple premises may have multiple solar technologies financed by solar energy procurement agreements; provided, however, that a single solar technology is not connected to multiple premises and that the cumulative capacity of solar technologies connected to a premises shall not exceed the capacity limit. Solar technology installed to serve one premises shall only generate electric energy that is used on and by such premises or fed back to an electric service provider.
(a) For solar technology with a peak generating capacity of not more than 10 kilowatts for a residential application and not more than 100 kilowatts for a commercial application, the electric service provider may require the retail electric customer or solar financing agent to provide, at the retail electric customer's or solar financing agent's expense, all equipment necessary to meet applicable safety, power quality, and interconnection requirements established by the National Electrical Code, National Electrical Safety Code, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, and Underwriters Laboratories, prior to interconnecting the solar technology to the electric service provider's electric system. If such applicable safety, power quality, and interconnection requirements are met, an electric service provider shall not require compliance with additional safety or performance standards, require the performance of or payment for additional tests, or require the purchase of additional liability insurance.
(b) For solar technology with a peak generating capacity of more than 10 kilowatts for a residential application and more than 100 kilowatts for a commercial application, the electric service provider may require compliance with additional requirements beyond those specified in subsection (a) of this Code section. Such additional requirements shall include only those necessary to protect public safety, power quality, and system reliability.
(a) Provided that the solar technology does not exceed the capacity limit, the leasing, financing, or installation of such solar technology through a solar energy procurement agreement shall not be considered the provision of electric service to the public, retail electric service, or retail supply of electricity by the solar financing agent, and neither the retail electric customer nor the solar financing agent shall be considered an electric supplier within the meaning of Part 1 of this article or in violation of exclusive electric service rights arising therein.
(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a solar financing agent's actions under this part shall not cause the solar financing agent to be considered an electric service provider for any purpose under this title.
(c) Any electric service provider or affiliate shall be authorized to become a solar financing agent; provided, however, that the restrictions of Part 1 of this article shall apply to any such electric service provider's provision of solar technology. An electric service provider and an affiliate shall be subject to subsection (a) of Code Section 46-3-11 in providing services as a solar financing agent.
(a) Except as provided in subsection (d) of Code Section 46-3-63 and subsections (a) and (b) of Code Section 46-3-65, nothing in this part shall be construed as modifying the restrictions of Part 1 of this article on the sale, offer for sale, or distribution of retail electric service in this state.
(b) Nothing in this part shall be construed to create or alter rights in real property or to change any restrictions or regulations on the use of real property that may exist under any means, including, but not limited to, a covenant, contract, ordinance, or state or federal law.
(c) Nothing in this part shall be construed to restrict, affect, or diminish the ability of any county or municipality to adopt or enforce ordinances, permits, or regulations, or otherwise to exercise any lawful power under the Constitution or laws of this state, including, without limitation, those affecting zoning, land use, or the use of public rights of way.
(d) Nothing in this part shall be applied to impair any obligation or right under a contract entered into prior to the effective date of this part or any amendment to or extension of such contract.
(e) Nothing in this part shall be applied to any party to a wholesale electric power or transmission service contract entered into prior to the effective date of this part or to any original party to such contract that is subsequently amended or extended to the extent that the financing and installation of the solar technology would cause such party to be in breach of such contract or increase the costs of such contract by $100,000.00 or more. Any legal successor to substantially all rights and assets of a party shall also be considered a party under this subsection.
Whereas certain political subdivisions of this state now own and operate electric distribution systems to serve their citizens, inhabitants, and customers by providing them electricity for all purposes; and whereas, if such political subdivisions are to furnish, and if the members of the public in the areas they serve are to receive, adequate service, such political subdivisions must have adequate, dependable, and economical sources and supplies of bulk electric power; it is declared that there exists in this state a need for an authority to function without profit in developing and promoting for the public good in this state adequate, dependable, and economical sources and supplies of bulk electric power and energy for the purposes expressed in this Code section.
As used in this article, the term:
(1) “Authority” means the Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia and any successor thereto. Any change in name or composition of the authority shall in no way affect the vested rights of any person under this article or impair the obligations of any contracts existing under this article.
(2) “Bond anticipation notes” or “notes” means short-term obligations issued after validation of bonds and in anticipation of the issuance of the bonds as validated.
(3) “Bonds” or “revenue bonds” means any bonds issued by the authority under this article, including refunding bonds.
(4) “Cost of project” or “cost of construction” means all costs of construction; all costs of real and personal property required for the purposes of such project and facilities related thereto, including land and any rights or undivided interests therein, easements, franchises, water rights, fees, permits, approvals, licenses, and certificates, and the securing of such permits, approvals, licenses, and certificates and the preparation of applications therefor, and including all machinery and equipment, including equipment for use in connection with such construction, and the initial fuel supply acquired for such project; financing charges; interest prior to and during construction and during such additional period as the authority may reasonably determine to be necessary for the placing of such project in operation; costs of engineering, architectural, and legal services; costs of plans and specifications and all expenses necessary or incidental to determining the feasibility or practicability of the project; administrative expenses; and such other expenses as may be necessary or incidental to the financing authorized by this article. All funds paid or advanced for any of the purposes mentioned in this paragraph by political subdivisions contracting with the authority prior to the issuance of any of the authority's bonds or notes may be refunded to such political subdivisions out of the proceeds of any bonds or notes so issued. The costs of any project may also include a fund or funds for the creation of a debt service reserve, a renewal and replacement reserve, a fuel reserve, and such other reserves as may be reasonably required by the authority for the operation of its projects and as may be authorized by any bond resolution or trust agreement or indenture pursuant to the provisions of which the issuance of any such bonds may be authorized. Any obligation or expense incurred for any of the purposes mentioned in this paragraph shall be regarded as a part of the cost of the project and may be paid or reimbursed as such out of the proceeds of revenue bonds or notes issued under this article for such project.
(5) “Election committee” means the Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia Membership Election Committee, as created in Code Section 46-3-113.
(6) “Project,” “undertaking,” or “facility” means electric generation and transmission lines and works and all property, whether real or personal, of every kind and nature material or pertinent thereto or necessary therefor which may be used or useful in the development of electric power and energy and in the supplying of such electric power and energy to all those entities contracting with the authority therefor. These terms may include a divided or undivided interest in any electric generation or transmission facility in which the authority participates as an owner in common with others. These terms may be used interchangeably.
There is created a public body corporate and politic to be known as the Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia, which shall be a public corporation of the State of Georgia and shall have a perpetual existence. This authority, however, shall not be a state institution nor a department or agency of the state but shall be an instrumentality of the state, a mere creature of the state, having distinct corporate entity and being exempt from Article 2 of Chapter 17 of Title 50. The authority shall have its principal office in Fulton County, and its legal situs or residence for the purpose of this article shall be Fulton County.
(a) The authority shall consist of nine members. The first nine members shall be elected as provided in this Code section.
(b) On or before June 16, 1975, each of those political subdivisions which have, prior to such date, by proper resolution of their respective governing bodies, declared their intention to contract with the authority for the purchase of electric power and energy (other than for short-term purchases) shall designate one person, who shall be a resident of such political subdivision, as its representative on a body to be known as the Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia Membership Election Committee, provided that at least five political subdivisions have declared their intention to contract with the authority. All such resolutions of declaration of intention to contract with the authority shall be presented to the election committee at its first meeting, which shall be held in the office of the Georgia Municipal Association at 11:00 A.M. on Monday, June 22, 1975.
(c) At its first meeting, the election committee shall organize and shall elect a chairman and such other officers as may be desirable in the determination of the election committee. The election committee shall then determine the sufficiency of the resolutions presented to it and shall determine the number of votes (including fractions thereof) which each representative to the election committee shall be entitled to cast in accordance with Code Section 46-3-117. Nominations for membership on the authority shall then be received by the election committee prior to adjournment of its first meeting.
(d) The election committee shall then meet for the second time on Monday, June 29, 1975, at the same time and place to receive any other nominations to the authority that may be made. A vote shall then be taken; and the nine nominees receiving the largest number of votes cast by a quorum of the election committee, as such quorum is determined by subsection (c) of Code Section 46-3-117, shall be declared the first nine members of the authority. Insofar as may be consistent with the remaining provisions of this Code section, in the election of the first nine members, the three nominees receiving the highest number of votes shall be elected to terms of three years; the three nominees receiving the next highest number of votes shall be elected to terms of two years; and the three nominees receiving the next highest number of votes shall be elected to terms of one year. Any tie votes shall be resolved by lot in such manner as shall be prescribed by the election committee.
(e) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Code section to the contrary, in the event it should be mathematically necessary in the election of the members of the authority for two members to be residents of the same political subdivision, then one of the two members who are residents of the same political subdivision shall be elected for an initial term of one year. In the event there are four political subdivisions from which two residents must be elected, one of the residents of one of such political subdivisions shall be elected for an initial term of two years.
Each member of the authority shall be a resident of one of the political subdivisions represented on the election committee, but, insofar as is mathematically possible, no two members shall reside in the same political subdivision. Representatives to the election committee shall not be eligible for membership on the authority. Members shall be eligible to succeed themselves.
Upon the expiration of the terms of the first members of the authority, members shall be elected for three-year terms, provided that in the year in which a member's term is to expire, the term shall not expire until the adjournment of the annual meeting for that year and until a successor is elected. The election committee shall meet at a date not more than 30 days prior to each annual meeting of the authority and shall elect members to fill the terms which will expire at the conclusion of such annual meeting.
(a) Each political subdivision contracting with the authority (other than for short-term purchases) following the election of the first nine members of the authority shall designate a representative to the election committee no more than 30 days following the execution of such contract by and between the authority and such political subdivision. The term of such additional representative shall begin with the next meeting of the election committee.
(b) Representatives to the election committee shall serve at the pleasure of the governing body of the political subdivision which appointed them.
(a) In elections held by the election committee to elect members to the authority, each political subdivision entitled to representation on the election committee shall have and shall be entitled to have its representative on the election committee cast one whole vote plus an additional vote or votes (including fractions thereof) to be determined as provided in this subsection. The percentage which is arrived at by dividing the number of kilowatt hours taken from Georgia Power Company by each such political subdivision during the immediately preceding calendar year by the total number of kilowatt hours taken from Georgia Power Company by all such political subdivisions during the immediately preceding calendar year shall be determined; and each such percentage shall then be applied to a total number of votes equal to the total number of political subdivisions entitled to representation on the election committee. The resulting figure, calculated to the nearest one-thousandth, shall be the additional vote or votes (including fractions thereof) to which each respective political subdivision is entitled.
(b) At such time as facilities of the authority are placed in commercial operation as determined by the authority and energy is being supplied by the authority to political subdivisions contracting with the authority, then and thereafter each such political subdivision entitled to representation on the election committee shall have and shall be entitled to have its representative on the election committee cast one whole vote plus an additional vote or votes (including fractions thereof) to be determined as provided in this subsection. The percentage which is arrived at by dividing the number of kilowatt hours taken from the authority by each such political subdivision during the immediately preceding calendar year by the total number of kilowatt hours taken from the authority by all such political subdivisions during the immediately preceding calendar year shall be determined; and each such percentage shall then be applied to a total number of votes equal to the total number of political subdivisions entitled to representation on the election committee. The resulting figure, calculated to the nearest one-thousandth, shall be the additional vote or votes (including fractions thereof) to which each respective political subdivision is entitled by reason of energy taken. Notwithstanding any other provision of this subsection, at the meeting of the election committee in the calendar year immediately following the calendar year in which such facilities are first placed in commercial operation, as determined by the authority, and energy is being supplied by the authority to such political subdivisions, the period of time upon which the determination shall be made of the additional vote or votes (including fractions thereof) to which the representatives of the election committee shall be entitled at such meeting shall be the remainder of the calendar year in which energy was first supplied to such political subdivisions, provided that such facilities have been in commercial operation, as determined by the authority, and energy has been supplied for a minimum of six months in the immediately preceding calendar year. If such facilities of the authority have not been in commercial operation, as determined by the authority, and if energy has not been supplied for a minimum of six months in the immediately preceding calendar year, such additional vote or votes (including fractions thereof) shall be determined by the number of kilowatt hours taken from Georgia Power Company in accordance with subsection (a) of this Code section.
(c) The presence at any meeting of the election committee of representatives entitled to cast two-thirds of the total votes to which the election committee shall be entitled shall constitute a quorum of the election committee.
Any vacancy in the membership of the authority shall be filled by a new member who shall be elected by the remaining members of the authority and who shall serve until the next meeting of the election committee. At the first meeting of the election committee following the filling of such vacancy, the election committee shall elect a member to fill the remainder, if any, of the unexpired term for which such vacancy was filled. Upon such election by the election committee, the membership on the authority of the member previously elected by the remaining members of the authority to fill such vacancy shall terminate.
The authority shall elect from its membership a chairman, a vice-chairman, a secretary-treasurer, and an assistant secretary-treasurer. Such officers shall serve for such terms as shall be prescribed by resolution of the authority or until their successors are elected and qualified.
At all meetings of the authority, the presence in person of a majority of the members in office shall be necessary for the transaction of business, and the affirmative vote of a majority of the members then in office shall be necessary for any action of the authority. No vacancy in the membership of the authority shall impair the right of such majority to exercise all the rights and perform all the duties of the authority. If at any meeting there is less than a majority present, a majority of those present may adjourn the meeting to a fixed time and place, and notice of such time and place shall be given in accordance with subsection (c) of Code Section 46-3-121, provided that if the time element of subsection (c) of Code Section 46-3-121 cannot reasonably be complied with, such notice, if any, of such adjourned meeting shall be given as is reasonably practical.
(a) The annual meeting of the authority shall be held on the anniversary date of the first meeting of the authority unless the date, time, and place of such annual meeting shall otherwise be fixed by resolution of the authority, provided that any such date so fixed shall be in reasonable proximity to the anniversary date of such first meeting.
(b) Special meetings of the authority may be called by resolution of the authority, by the chairman or vice-chairman, or upon the written request of at least three members of the authority.
(c) Written notice of all meetings shall be delivered to each political subdivision contracting with the authority other than for short-term purchases, and to each member of the authority not less than ten days prior to the date of such meeting in the case of regular meetings and not less than three days in the case of special meetings.
(d) Notice of a meeting of the authority need not be given to any member who signs a waiver of notice either before or after the meeting. Attendance of a member at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting and a waiver of any and all objections to the place or time of the meeting or to the manner in which it has been called or convened, except when a member states at the beginning of the meeting any such objection or objections to the transaction of business. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special meeting of the authority need be specified in the notice or waiver of notice of such meetings.
(e) In addition to the annual meeting of the authority, regular meetings of the authority may be established by resolution of the authority; and no notice, other than notice of the adoption of such resolution to any member of the authority who was absent when it was adopted, shall be required for such meeting, except for the notice required by subsection (c) of this Code section.
The members of the authority shall not be entitled to compensation for their services but may be reimbursed by the authority for their actual expenses properly incurred in the performance of their duties. The authority shall make rules and regulations for its own government and may retain, employ, and engage all necessary staff and personnel, including professional and technical supervisors, assistants, and experts and other agents and employees, whether temporary or permanent, as it may require. Any one or more of such persons so engaged may be designated as an additional assistant secretary-treasurer of the authority and may be given the duties of keeping the books, records, and minutes of the authority, of giving all notices required by Code Sections 46-3-120, 46-3-121, and 46-3-123, and, in the absence of or in lieu of the secretary-treasurer, performing all other functions of the secretary-treasurer. Officers designated by the authority pursuant to this Code section shall serve at the pleasure of the authority.
The election committee shall have the power to remove from office any member of the authority for cause after written notice and public hearing.
The authority shall keep suitable books and records of all its obligations, contracts, transactions, and undertakings; of all income and receipts of every nature; and of all expenditures of every kind.
The purpose of the authority shall be to acquire or construct, or to acquire and construct, and to operate and maintain, or to cause to be constructed, operated, and maintained, electric generation and transmission facilities. In addition, it shall be the purpose of the authority to take all other necessary or desirable action in order to provide or make available an adequate, dependable, and economical supply of electric power and energy and related services to those political subdivisions of this state identified in Code Section 46-3-130 which may desire the same and, incidentally and so as to take advantage of economies of scale in the generation and transmission of electric power and energy, to other persons and entities.
The authority shall have all powers necessary or convenient to carry out and effectuate the purpose and provisions of this article including, but without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the power:
(1) To sue and be sued in contract and in tort and to complain and defend in all courts;
(2) To adopt and alter a corporate seal;
(3) To acquire in its own name real property or rights and easements therein and franchises and personal property necessary or convenient for its corporate purposes, by purchase, on such terms and conditions and in such manner as it may deem proper, or by the exercise of the power of eminent domain in accordance with any and all existing laws of the State of Georgia applicable to the condemnation of property for public use, including the power to proceed as a condemning body under Article 2 of Chapter 2 of Title 22 or by gift, grant, lease, or otherwise; to insure the same against any and all risks as such insurance may, from time to time, be available; and to use such property, rent or lease the same to or from others, make contracts with respect to the use thereof, or sell, lease, or otherwise dispose of any such property in any manner it deems to the best advantage of the authority and the purposes thereof. The power to acquire, use, and dispose of property provided in this paragraph shall include the power to acquire, use, and dispose of any interest in such property, whether divided or undivided, which acquisition may result in the ownership of such property or any part thereof in common with any other party, whether public or private. Title to any such property of the authority, however, shall be held by the authority exclusively for the benefit of the public. The authority shall be under no obligation to accept and pay for any property condemned under this article except from the funds provided under the authority of this article and, in any proceedings to condemn, such orders may be made by the court having jurisdiction of the action as may be just to the authority and to the owners of the property to be condemned. If the authority shall deem it expedient to construct any project on lands which are subject to the control of the state or of any political subdivision or public corporation of the state, the Governor, in the case of lands controlled by the state, or the governing authorities of such political subdivisions or such public corporations are authorized to convey such lands to the authority for such consideration, not exceeding reasonable value, as may be agreed upon by the authority, as grantee, and by the Governor or by the governing body of such political subdivision or by such public corporation, as grantor, taking into consideration the public benefit to be derived from such conveyance;
(4) To appoint and select officers, agents, and employees, including engineering, architectural, and construction experts, fiscal agents, and attorneys, and to fix their compensation;
(5) To acquire, by purchase or otherwise, in whole or in part, as provided in paragraph (3) of this Code section, and to place into operation and operate or cause to be placed into operation and operated, either as owner of all or of any part in common with others or as agent, electric generation and transmission lines, works, facilities, and projects; to provide, by sale or otherwise, an adequate, dependable, and economical electric power supply to political subdivisions of this state contracting with the authority pursuant to authority of Code Section 46-3-130; and, through such political subdivisions, to supply such electric power to the members of the public in the areas served by them; and, as agent for such political subdivisions, to secure power supply contracts and arrangements with other persons. The authority shall also have the power, which may be exercised either as principal or as agent, to manufacture, generate, store, and transmit electric current for light, heat, power, and energy; to manufacture, buy, sell, import, export, lease, or otherwise acquire and generally deal in electrical apparatuses of all kinds and machinery and devices and nuclear or fossil fuels for the manufacture, generation, storage, and transmission of electric current for light, heat, power, and energy; to purchase power at retail or wholesale from any other person; to purchase or construct part of the capacity of generation or transmission projects sponsored and owned by or in common with others, making any such purchase at wholesale or retail within or without this state; to contract for the purchase of power and energy from, or the sale of power and energy to, the United States government and electric utility systems either privately or publicly owned, within or without this state; to execute long-or short-term power purchase or sale contracts on terms which may include agreements with respect to resale rates and the disposition of revenues; to interchange, exchange, and purchase power and energy from any person; to erect, buy, lease, or otherwise acquire, operate, and maintain electric lighting, heating, and power projects; to transmit power both for itself and on behalf of others; to erect, buy, sell, lease, or otherwise acquire, maintain, and operate or cause to be maintained and operated plants, underground subways, conduits, poles, and wires above, upon, and under the streets, alleys, lands, and territories of political subdivisions, public or private corporations, or individuals; and to continue to sell electric power to political subdivisions of this state which are authorized to contract with the authority pursuant to Code Section 46-3-130 and to other persons and entities and, as agent for any or all of the same, to make power and energy otherwise available to them through arrangements with other persons, all in the exercise of the powers of the authority and to effectuate the purposes of this article;
(6) To contract with the state and its agencies, instrumentalities, and departments, with those political subdivisions of the state which are authorized to contract with the authority pursuant to Code Section 46-3-130 and with private persons and corporations. This power includes the making of contracts for the construction of projects, which contracts for construction may be made either as sole owner of the project or as owner, in common with other public or private persons, of any divided or undivided interest therein;
(7) To exercise any one or more of the powers, rights, and privileges conferred by this Code section either alone or jointly or in common with one or more other parties or utilities, whether public or private. In any such exercise of such powers, rights, and privileges jointly or in common with others with respect to the construction, operation, and maintenance of electric generation or transmission facilities, the authority may own an undivided interest in such facilities with any other parties, whether public or private. The authority may enter into agreements with respect to any such electric generation or transmission facility with the other parties participating therein, and any such agreement may contain such terms, conditions, and provisions consistent with this article as the parties thereto shall deem to be in their best interests. Any such agreement may include, but need not be limited to, provisions for the construction, operation, and maintenance of such electric generation or transmission facility by any one or more of the parties to such agreement, which party or parties shall be designated in or pursuant to such agreement as agent or agents on behalf of itself and one or more of the other parties thereto, or by such other means as may be determined by the parties thereto. Such an agreement may also include provisions for methods of determining and allocating among or between the parties the costs of construction, operation, maintenance, renewals, replacements, improvements, and disposals with respect to such facility. In carrying out its functions and activities as such agent with respect to the construction, operation, and maintenance of such a facility, such agent shall be governed by the laws and regulations applicable to such agent as a separate legal entity and not by any laws or regulations which may be applicable to any of the other participating parties. Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, pursuant to the terms of any such agreement the authority may delegate its powers and duties with respect to the construction, operation, and maintenance of such facility to the party acting as agent; and all actions taken by such agent in accordance with the provisions of such agreement may be made binding upon the authority without further action or approval by the authority;
(8) To accept, receive, and administer gifts, grants, appropriations, and donations of money, materials, and property of any kind, including loans and grants from the United States government or the State of Georgia or any agency, department, authority, or instrumentality of either, upon such terms and conditions as the United States government, the State of Georgia, or such agency, department, authority, or instrumentality shall impose; to administer trusts; and to sell, lease, transfer, convey, appropriate, and pledge any and all of its property and assets;
(9) To invest any accumulation of its funds and any sinking fund or reserves in any manner that public funds of this state or its political subdivisions may be invested, and to purchase its own bonds and notes;
(10) To do any and all things necessary or proper for the accomplishment of the objectives of this article and to exercise any power usually possessed by private corporations performing similar functions which is not in conflict with the Constitution and laws of this state, including:
(A) Employment of professional and administrative staff and personnel and retaining of legal, engineering, and other professional services;
(B) The purchasing of all kinds of insurance, including, without limitation, insurance against tort liability and against risks of damage to property;
(C) The borrowing of money for any of the corporate purposes of the authority, provided that obligations of the authority other than revenue bonds for which provision is made in this article shall be payable from the general funds of the authority and shall not be a charge against any special fund allocated to the payment of revenue bonds;
(D) The power to indemnify and hold harmless any parties contracting with the authority or its agents from damage to persons or property; and
(E) The power to act as self-insurer with respect to any loss or liability;
(11) To issue its revenue bonds as provided in this article in evidence of its indebtedness incurred with respect to the powers described in this Code section, such bonds to be payable from the revenues, receipts, and earnings of the projects of the authority and other available funds thereof; to execute trust agreements or indentures; to sell, convey, pledge, and assign any and all of its funds, assets, property, and income as security for the payment of such revenue bonds; and to provide for the payment of the same and for the rights of the owners thereof.
The authority shall not operate or construct any project for profit except insofar as any such profit will inure to the benefit of the public. The authority shall fix the rates, fees, and charges consistent with this declaration of policy such as will produce revenues only in amounts sufficient, together with all other funds of the authority, to pay principal and interest on bonds and obligations of the authority, to provide for maintenance and operation of the authority and of its projects, and to maintain such reserves as shall have been created in amounts sufficient in the judgment of the authority for the security of the bonds and for the improvement, replacement, or expansion of the facilities or services of the authority or to provide fuel for its generating projects.
(a) It is found, determined, and declared that the creation of the authority and the carrying out of its corporate purposes are in all respects for the benefit of the people of this state and that the authority is an institution of purely public charity performing an essential governmental function.
(b)(1) The property of the authority is declared, and shall in all respects be considered, to be public property. Title to the authority's property shall be held by the authority only for the benefit of the public; and the use of such property pursuant to this article shall be and is declared to be for essential public and governmental purposes, that is, for the promotion of public general welfare in the matter of providing an adequate, dependable, and economical electric power supply in an effort to better the general condition of society in this state, which promotion is declared to be a public beneficence for the good of humanity and for the general improvement and happiness of society.
(2)(A) It is recognized, however, that removal from local tax digests of the value of all property owned by the authority might impose an unfair burden on many taxpayers whose property is taxable. In the interest of weighing these benefits and concerns and arriving at an equitable policy regarding treatment of authority property, the General Assembly finds and declares that equity requires that the exemption presently applicable to the authority's property should remain in effect. However, the General Assembly also finds and declares that in the future the authority should rightfully make payments in lieu of taxes so that the authority may fulfill its good and public purposes without incidental harm to the state's local governments.
(B) With respect to tangible property owned by the authority and included in its project one and project two, as those projects are constituted as of March 25, 1980, or thereafter under the authority's power revenue bond resolution and general power revenue bond resolution, and supplemental resolutions thereto, the authority shall begin making payments in lieu of taxes in such manner and amounts as provided in this Code section in the earlier of (i) the first year after all of the bonds issued by the authority to finance each such respective project have been fully redeemed or (ii) the year 2020.
(C) With respect to tangible property acquired or constructed by the authority after March 25, 1980, and not included in its project one or project two, the authority shall begin making payments in lieu of taxes, in such manner and amounts as provided in this Code section, in the year 1981 or such later year as the authority first acquires or constructs such property.
(D) In each year in which the authority is required by this Code section to make payments in lieu of taxes, it shall file a return within the same time and in the same form and manner as public utilities. The taxing authorities shall assess the tangible property of the authority which is made subject by this Code section to payments in lieu of taxes in accordance with the law and procedures applicable to public utilities and shall apply to such assessments in each year in which any such payments are due the appropriate millage levies of the state and of the political subdivisions in which such property is located in order to arrive at the amounts of the respective payments in lieu of taxes. The authority shall be notified of the amounts of the payments in lieu of taxes due and shall pay such amounts to the state and respective political subdivisions within the time in which payments of taxes by public utilities are allowed or required.
(c) Except as specifically provided in this Code section for payments in lieu of taxes, all property of the authority, all income, obligations, and interest on the bonds and notes of the authority and all transfers of such property, bonds, or notes shall be and are declared to be exempt from taxation by the state or any of its political subdivisions.
(a) The authority may contract with any political subdivision of this state which is authorized by Code Section 46-3-130 to make such contracts for the payment of such rates, tolls, fees, and charges as may be prescribed by the authority for the use by such subdivisions or the residents thereof of the services and facilities of the projects and facilities of the authority. Any such political subdivision shall have the right and power, by resolution of its governing body, to make such a contract; and the amounts contracted to be paid by such political subdivision to the authority under such a contract shall constitute general obligations of such political subdivision for the payment of which the full faith and credit of such political subdivision may be pledged to provide the funds required to fulfill all obligations arising under any such contract.
(b) Any such political subdivision which enters into such a contract pursuant to this article shall, annually in each and every fiscal year during the term of such contract, include in a general revenue or appropriation measure, whether or not any other items are included, sums sufficient to satisfy the payments required to be made in each year by such contract until all payments required under such contract have been paid in full.
(c) If for any reason a provision or appropriation pursuant to subsection (b) of this Code section is not made, then the fiscal officers of such political subdivision are authorized and directed to set up as an appropriation on their accounts in each fiscal year the amounts required to pay the obligations called for under any such contract. The amount of an appropriation made under this subsection in each fiscal year shall be due and payable and shall be expended for the purpose of paying and meeting the obligations provided under the terms and conditions of such contract; and such appropriation shall have the same legal status as if the contracting political subdivision had included the amount of the appropriation in its general revenue or appropriation measure. Such fiscal officers shall make such payment to the authority if for any reason such appropriation is not otherwise made.
(d) Any political subdivision which contracts with the authority under this article may obligate itself and its successors to use only those projects for which it has contracted and none other.
The political subdivisions with which the authority shall be authorized to contract to provide an electric power supply pursuant to this article shall be those political subdivisions of this state which, on March 18, 1975, owned and operated an electric distribution system.
(a) When the authority desires to issue revenue bonds as permitted by this article, the authority shall, prior to the adoption of a resolution authorizing the issuance of such bonds, enter into one or more contracts with no less than five political subdivisions which are authorized to contract with the authority in accordance with Code Section 46-3-130. All such contracts shall be in accordance with Code Section 46-3-129.
(b) The acquisition, construction, reconstruction, improvement, equipment, alteration, repair, or extension of any project, and the issuance, in anticipation of the collection of the revenues from such project, of bonds to provide funds to pay the cost thereof, may be authorized under this article by resolution of the authority. Unless otherwise provided therein, such resolution shall take effect immediately and need not be laid over or published or posted. The authority, in determining such cost, may include all costs and estimated costs of the issuance of the bonds; all engineering, inspection, fiscal, and legal expenses; the interest which it is estimated will accrue during the construction period and during such additional period as the authority may reasonably determine to be necessary for the placing of such project in operation on money borrowed, or which it is estimated will be borrowed pursuant to this article; and all costs included in the definition of “cost of project” as defined in Code Section 46-3-111. Such bonds may also be issued to pay off, refund, or refinance any outstanding bonds or other obligation of any nature owed by the authority, whether or not such bonds or other obligations shall then be subject to redemption; and the authority may provide for such arrangements as it may determine for the payment and security of the bonds being issued or for the payment and security of the bonds or other obligations to be paid off, refunded, or refinanced.
(c) Revenue bonds may be issued under this article in one or more series; may bear such date or dates; may mature at such time or times, not exceeding 50 years from their respective dates; may bear interest at such rate or rates, payable at such time or times; may be payable in such medium of payment at such place or places; may be in such denomination or denominations; may be in such form, either coupon or fully registered without coupons; may be issued in any specific amounts; may carry such registration, conversion, and exchangeability privileges; may be declared or become due before the maturity date thereof; may provide such call or redemption privileges; may have such rank or priority; and may contain such other terms, covenants, assignments, and conditions as the bond resolution authorizing the issuance of such bonds or any indenture or trust agreement may provide. The authority may sell such bonds in such manner, at such price or prices, and upon such terms and conditions as shall be determined by the authority.
(d) The bonds shall be signed by the chairman of the authority; the corporate seal of the authority shall be impressed, imprinted, or otherwise reproduced on the bonds; and the bonds shall be attested by the signature of the secretary-treasurer of the authority. The coupons shall be signed in such manner as may be directed by the authority. The signatures of the officers of the authority and the seal of the authority upon any bond, note, or other debt security issued by the authority may be by facsimile if the instrument is authenticated or countersigned by a trustee other than the authority itself or an officer or employee of the authority. All bonds or notes issued under authority of this article bearing signatures or facsimiles of the signatures of officers of the authority in office on the date of the signing thereof shall be valid and binding, notwithstanding that before the delivery thereof and payment therefor such officers whose signatures appear thereon shall have ceased to be officers of the authority. Pending the preparation of the definitive bonds, interim receipts, in such form and with such provisions as the authority may determine, may be issued to the purchasers of bonds to be issued under this article.
(e) Any bond resolution authorizing the issuance of bonds and any indenture or trust agreement entered into under this article to finance in whole or in part the acquisition, construction, reconstruction, improvement, equipment, alteration, repair, or extension of any project may contain covenants as to:
(1) The rates, fees, tolls, or charges to be charged for the services, facilities, and commodities of the project;
(2) The use and disposition of the revenue to be derived from the project;
(3) The creation and maintenance of reserves or sinking funds and the regulation, use, and disposition thereof, including debt service reserve; renewal and replacement or other capital improvement reserve, including reserves for the provision of fuel; and such other reserves as may be reasonably required by the authority for the operation of its projects and as may be authorized by the bond resolution or trust agreement or indenture pursuant to which the issuance of such bonds may be authorized;
(4) The purposes to which the proceeds of the sale of said bonds may be applied, and the use and disposition of such proceeds;
(5) Events of default and the rights and liabilities arising thereupon, the terms and conditions upon which bonds issued under this article shall become or may be declared due before maturity, and the terms and conditions upon which such declaration and its consequences may be waived;
(6) The issuance of other additional bonds or instruments payable from or a charge against the revenue of such project;
(7) The insurance to be carried thereon and the use and disposition of insurance proceeds;
(8) Books of account and the inspection and audit thereof;
(9) Limitations or restrictions on the power to lease or otherwise dispose of the project while any of the bonds or interest thereon remains outstanding and unpaid; and
(10) The operation and maintenance of the project and of the authority.
(f) The provisions of this article and of any bond resolution, indenture, or trust agreement entered into pursuant to this article shall be a contract with every holder of the bonds; and the duties of the authority under this article and under any such bond resolution, indenture, or trust agreement shall be enforceable by any bondholder by mandamus or other appropriate action or proceeding at law or in equity.
(g) The authority shall give notice to the district attorney of the Atlanta Judicial Circuit of its intention to issue its revenue bonds, setting forth the fact of service of such notice, the principal amount of bonds to be issued, the purpose for which the same are to be issued, whether the bonds are to be issued in separate series or installments from time to time, the interest rate or rates which such bonds are to bear, the amount of principal to be paid in each year during the life of the bonds or the method or formula by which such amounts shall be determined, the date by which all bonds are to be paid in full, and the security to be pledged to the payment of the bonds; provided, however, that such notice, in the discretion of the authority, in lieu of specifying the rate or rates of interest which the bonds are to bear, may state that the bonds when issued will bear interest at a rate not exceeding a maximum per annum rate of interest specified in the notice, or, in the event the bonds, or any series or installment thereof, are to bear different rates of interest for different maturity dates, may state that none of such rates will exceed the maximum rate specified in the notice; provided, further, that nothing in this subsection shall be construed as prohibiting or restricting the right of the authority to sell the bonds at a discount, even if in so doing the effective interest cost resulting therefrom would exceed the maximum per annum interest rate specified in the notice to the district attorney. Such notice shall be signed by the chairman, vice-chairman, or secretary-treasurer.
(h) Within 20 days after the date of service of the required notice, the district attorney shall prepare and file in the office of the clerk of the Superior Court of Fulton County a complaint directed to the Superior Court of Fulton County in the name of the state and against the authority, setting forth the fact of service of such notice, the amount of the bonds to be issued, for what purpose they are to be issued, whether the bonds are to be issued in separate series or installments from time to time, the interest rate or rates they are to bear or the maximum rate or rates of interest, the amount of principal and interest to be paid annually or the method or formula by which the amount of such payments shall be determined, and the date by which all bonds are to be paid in full. In addition, the district attorney shall obtain from the judge of the court an order requiring the authority by its proper officers to appear at such time and place as the judge may direct, either during a session of court or in chambers, within 20 days after the filing of the complaint, and show cause, if any, why the bonds should not be confirmed and validated. Such complaint and order shall be served upon the authority in the manner provided by law; and to such complaint the authority shall make sworn answer at or before the date set in the order for the hearing.
(i) Prior to the hearing of the cause, the clerk of the Superior Court of Fulton County shall publish in the official organ of Fulton County once during each of the two weeks immediately preceding the week in which the hearing is to be held a notice to the public that, on the day specified in the order providing for the hearing of the cause, the same will be heard.
(j) Within the time prescribed in the order or at such other time as he may fix, the judge of the superior court shall proceed to hear and determine all questions of law and of fact in the cause, including the question of whether the contractual obligations which are made a condition precedent to the issuance of such bonds by subsection (a) of this Code section have been properly incurred; and the judge shall render judgment on the cause. Any citizen of this state may become a party to the proceedings at or before the time set for the hearing. Any party who is dissatisfied with the judgment of the court confirming and validating the issuance of the bonds and the security therefor or refusing to confirm and validate the issuance of the bonds and the security therefor may appeal from the judgment under the procedure provided by Article 2 of Chapter 6 of Title 5. No appeal may be taken by any person who was not a party at the time the judgment appealed from was rendered.
(k) In the event no appeal is filed within 30 days after the date of the judgment of validation, or, if an appeal is filed, in the event the judgment is affirmed on appeal, the judgment of the superior court so confirming and validating the issuance of the bonds and the security therefor shall be forever conclusive upon the validity of the bonds and the security therefor.
(l) Bonds issued under this article shall bear a certificate of validation signed with the facsimile or manually executed signature of the clerk of the Superior Court of Fulton County stating the date on which the bonds were validated as provided in this Code section; and such entry shall be original evidence of the fact of judgment and shall be received as original evidence in any court in this state.
(m) The authority shall reimburse the district attorney for his actual costs of the case, if any. For every $5,000.00 in principal amount of bonds or portion thereof, there shall be payable to the clerk of the Superior Court of Fulton County the following fees for validation and confirmation:
| First $500,000.00․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․ | ․․․․․․․․․$1.00 | | --- | --- | | $501,000.00--$2,500,000.00․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․ | ․․․․․․․․․․․.25 | | All over $2,500,000.00․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․ | ․․․․․․․․․․․.10 |
(n) Any other law to the contrary notwithstanding, this article shall govern all civil claims, proceedings, and actions respecting debt of the authority evidenced by revenue bonds.
(a) When payments which are made by political subdivisions pursuant to contracts entered into under subsection (a) of Code Section 46-3-131 are pledged as security for the payment of bonds sought to be validated, the petition for validation shall make party defendant the authority and shall also make parties defendant to such action every political subdivision which has contracted with the authority for the use of the facilities, commodities, and services of the project for which bonds shall be sought to be validated and issued. In addition, every other party, whether public or private, contracting with the authority in any manner with relation to the operation of such project, and particularly with relation to any common ownership of such project or to the supplying of electric energy to the authority or the taking or purchasing of electric energy from the project, shall be made parties defendant.
(b) All such parties defendant shall be served and shall be required to show cause, if any exists, why such contracts and the terms and conditions thereof should not be inquired into by the court and the validity of the terms thereof determined and the matters and conditions imposed on the parties to such contracts and all such undertakings thereof adjudicated to be valid and binding on the parties thereto.
(c) Notice of such proceedings shall be included in the notice of validation hearing required by Code Section 46-3-131 to be issued and published by the clerk of the Superior Court of Fulton County. In addition to such notice required to be published in Fulton County, such notice shall also be published in the newspaper in which sheriff's advertisements are published, once a week during each of the two weeks immediately preceding the week of the hearing, in each county in which any portion of any of the defendant political subdivisions lie.
(d) Any citizen resident of this state may, at or before the time set for the validation hearing, intervene in the validation proceedings conducted in the Superior Court of Fulton County pursuant to Code Section 46-3-131 and may assert any ground or objection to the validity and binding effect of such contract on his own behalf and on behalf of any political subdivision and of all citizens, residents, and property owners of the state.
(e) No appeal may be taken by any person who was not a party at the time the judgment appealed from was rendered.
(f) An adjudication as to the validity of any such contract which adjudication is unexcepted to within 30 days after the date of the judgment of validation or, if an appeal is filed, which adjudication is confirmed on appeal shall be forever conclusive and binding upon such political subdivisions and the resident citizens and property owners of this state.
In all cases where the authority has adopted a resolution for the issuance of revenue bonds, and where notice has been duly served upon the district attorney for the purpose of securing a judicial validation of such bonds and the security therefor, and where, in such case, there has been a failure on the part of such district attorney or other officer to proceed within the time prescribed by this article, it shall be competent for the authority to represent such facts in writing to the court and to represent further that such failure has been without fault on the part of the authority. In such case, the Superior Court of Fulton County shall have power and authority to inquire into the facts; and, upon being satisfied that such failure has not arisen from any fault or neglect on the part of the authority, it shall be the duty of the court to pass an order directing such district attorney to proceed within ten days to file a complaint as authorized by this article. Thereafter, the proceedings shall be held in the same manner as would have been followed had such petition been duly and promptly filed in the first instance.
The bonds authorized by this article shall be securities in which:
(1) All public officers and bodies of this state;
(2) All political subdivisions of this state;
(3) All insurance companies and associations, and other persons carrying on an insurance business;
(4) All banks, bankers, trust companies, saving banks, and savings associations, including savings and loan associations, building and loan associations, investment companies, and other persons carrying on a banking business;
(5) All administrators, guardians, executors, trustees, and other fiduciaries; and
(6) All other persons whatsoever who are authorized to invest in bonds or other obligations of the state
may properly and legally invest funds, including capital in their control or belonging to them. Such bonds shall also be securities which may be deposited with and shall be received by all public officers and bodies of this state and its political subdivisions for any purpose for which deposit of the bonds or other obligations of this state is authorized.
(a) All or any part of the gross or net revenues and earnings derived from any particular project and any and all revenues and earnings received by the authority, regardless of whether such revenues and earnings were produced by a particular project for which bonds have been issued, may be pledged by the authority to the payment of the principal of and interest on revenue bonds of the authority as may be provided in any resolution authorizing the issuance of such bonds or in any trust instrument pertaining to such bonds.
(b) Such funds so pledged, from whatever source received, may include funds received from one or more or all sources and may be set aside at regular intervals into sinking funds for which provision may be made in any such resolution or trust instrument, which sinking funds may be pledged to and charged with the payment of:
(1) The interest upon such revenue bonds as such interest shall become due;
(2) The principal of the bonds as the same shall mature;
(3) The necessary charges of any trustee, paying agent, or registrar for such bonds; and
(4) Any premium upon bonds retired upon call or purchase.
(c) The use and disposition of any sinking fund may be subject to regulations for which provision may be made in the resolution authorizing the issuance of the bonds or in the trust instrument or indenture securing the payment of the same.
(a) In the discretion of the authority, any issue of revenue bonds may be secured by a trust agreement or indenture made by the authority with a corporate trustee, which may be any trust company or bank having the powers of a trust company within or without this state. Such trust agreement or indenture may pledge or assign all revenue, receipts, and earnings to be received by the authority and any proceeds which may be derived from the disposition of any real or personal property of the authority or proceeds of insurance carried thereon.
(b) The resolution providing for the issuance of revenue bonds and such trust agreement or indenture may contain provisions for protecting and enforcing the rights and remedies of the bond owners, including the right of appointment of a receiver upon default in the payment of any principal or interest obligation and the right of any receiver or trustee to enforce collection of any rates, fees, tolls, charges, or revenues for the use of the services or facilities of the project necessary to pay all costs of operation and all reserves provided for, the principal of and interest on all bonds in the issue, all costs of collection, and all other costs reasonably necessary to accomplish the collection of such sums in the event of any default of the authority.
(c) Such resolution, trust agreement, or indenture may include covenants setting forth the duties of the authority regarding the acquisition of property for and the construction of the project and regarding the custody, safeguarding, and application of all funds of the authority, including any proceeds derived from the disposition of any real or personal property of the authority or proceeds of insurance carried thereon. In addition, such resolution, trust agreement, or indenture may include covenants providing for the operation, maintenance, repair, and insurance of the project and may contain provisions concerning the conditions, if any, upon which additional bonds may be issued.
(d) Such resolution, trust agreement, or indenture may set forth the rights and remedies of the bond owners and of the trustee; may restrict the individual right of action of any bond owner in such manner as is customary in securing bonds and debentures of corporations; and may contain such other provisions as the authority may deem reasonable and proper for the security of the bond owners.
(e) All expenses incurred in carrying out any trust agreement or indenture under this Code section may be treated as a part of the cost of maintenance, operation, and repair of the project affected by such trust agreement or indenture.
(a) Proceeds of the bonds issued under authority of this article shall be used solely for the payment of the cost of projects and shall be disbursed upon requisition or order of such person and under such restrictions as the resolution authorizing the issuance of such bonds or the trust agreement or indenture may provide.
(b) If the proceeds of such bonds, including all series or installments of such issue, by error of calculation or otherwise, are less than the cost of projects, then, unless otherwise provided in the resolution authorizing the issuance of the bonds or in the trust agreement or indenture, additional bonds may in like manner be issued, subject to the requirements of subsection (a) of Code Section 46-3-131 to provide the amount of such deficit. Unless otherwise provided in the resolution authorizing the issuance of the bonds or in the trust agreement or indenture, such additional bonds shall be deemed to be of the same issue and shall be entitled to payment from the same fund, without preference or priority, as the bonds first issued for the same purpose.
(c) If the proceeds of the bonds of any issue exceed the amount required for the purpose for which such bonds are issued, the surplus shall be paid into the fund provided for the payment of principal and interest of such bonds.
(d) In the discretion of the authority, revenue bonds of a single issue or series or installment of such issue may be issued for the purpose of paying the cost of any one or more projects.
(a) If any bond becomes mutilated or is lost, stolen, or destroyed, the authority may execute and deliver a new bond of like date of issue, maturity date, principal amount, and interest rate per annum as the bond so mutilated, lost, stolen, or destroyed, which new bond shall have attached thereto coupons corresponding in all respects to those, if any, on the bond mutilated, lost, stolen, or destroyed, provided that:
(1) In the case of any mutilated bond, such bond together with all unmatured coupons appertaining thereto is first surrendered to the authority;
(2) In the case of any lost, stolen, or destroyed bond, there is first furnished evidence of such loss, theft, or destruction satisfactory to the authority, together with indemnity satisfactory to the authority;
(3) All other reasonable requirements of the authority are complied with; and
(4) Expenses in connection with such transaction are paid.
(b) In the event any coupon is mutilated, lost, stolen, or destroyed, the authority may issue a duplicate coupon upon the same terms and conditions as those provided for the replacement of mutilated, lost, stolen, or destroyed bonds.
(c) Any bonds or coupon surrendered for exchange shall be canceled.
(d) The authority shall be authorized to print the new bond with the validation certificate bearing the facsimile signature of the clerk of the superior court then in office, and such certificate shall have the same force and effect as in the first instance. All responsibility with respect to the issuance of any such new bonds shall be with the authority and not with such clerk; and such clerk shall have no liability in the event an overissuance occurs.
Interest shall cease to accrue on any bond on the date that such bond becomes due for payment if said payment is made or duly provided for, but liability for such bond and for the accrued interest thereon shall continue until such bond is 20 years overdue for payment. At that time, unless demand for payment has been made, such obligation shall be extinguished and shall be deemed no longer outstanding.
Unless otherwise directed by the authority, every evidence of indebtedness and interest coupon paid or otherwise retired shall forthwith be marked “canceled” and shall be delivered by the paying agent making payment thereof to the authority, whereupon the evidence of indebtedness or interest coupon shall be destroyed and a certificate of destruction shall be filed in the records of the authority.
The fiscal officer of the authority or his agent shall maintain records containing a full and correct description of each evidence of indebtedness issued, identifying it and showing its date, issue, amount, interest rate, payment dates, payments made, registration, cancellation, destruction, and every other relevant transaction.
The authority may appoint one or more paying agents for each issue or series or installment of bonds. Every such paying agent shall be an incorporated bank or trust company authorized by the laws of the United States or of the state in which it is located to do a banking or trust business. The authority may make such provisions respecting paying agents as it deems necessary or useful and may enter into a contract with any paying agents containing such terms, including its compensation, and such conditions in regard to the paying agents as the authority deems necessary or useful.
(a) The authority shall have the power and is authorized, whenever revenue bonds of the authority have been validated as provided in Code Section 46-3-131, to issue from time to time its negotiable notes in anticipation of the issuance of such bonds as validated and to renew from time to time any such notes by the issuance of new notes, regardless of whether the notes to be renewed have matured. The authority may issue notes only to provide funds which would otherwise be provided by the issuance of the bonds as validated. The notes may be authorized, sold, executed, and delivered in the same manner as bonds.
(b) Any resolution authorizing notes of the authority or any issue thereof may contain any provisions which the authority is authorized to include in any resolution authorizing bonds of the authority or any issue thereof; and the authority may include in any notes any terms, covenants, or conditions which it is authorized to include in any bonds.
(c) All notes shall be general obligations of the authority, payable out of any of its funds or revenues, subject only to any contractual rights of the holders of any of its notes or other obligations then outstanding, provided that there may be specially pledged to the payment of such notes the proceeds to be derived from the issuance of the validated bonds in anticipation of the issuance of which the notes have been issued.
(d) Validation of such bonds shall be a condition precedent to the issuance of such notes but it shall not be required that such notes be judicially validated.
(e) Bond anticipation notes shall not be issued in an amount exceeding the par value of the bonds in anticipation of which they are to be issued.
Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, every evidence of indebtedness issued under this article shall have all the rights and incidences of negotiable instruments, subject to provisions for registration.
(a) Neither the members of the authority nor any person executing bonds or notes on behalf of the authority shall be personally liable thereon by reason of the issuance thereof.
(b) Neither the revenue bonds or notes issued under this chapter nor the instruments evidencing the obligations which constitute the security therefor shall constitute a debt of, a loan by, or a pledge of the faith and credit of the State of Georgia or of any political subdivision thereof. Rather, such bonds and notes shall be payable from the revenues of the authority as provided in the resolutions, trust agreements, or indentures authorizing or securing the issuance and payment of such bonds or notes. The issuance of such bonds or notes shall not obligate the state or any political subdivision thereof to levy or pledge any form of taxation whatever for the payment thereof. No owner of any such bond or note, and no receiver or trustee in connection therewith, shall have the right to enforce the payment of the bond or note against any property of the state or of any political subdivision thereof; nor shall any such bond or note constitute a charge, lien, or encumbrance, whether legal or equitable, upon any such property.
(c) All such bonds and notes shall contain on their face a recital setting forth the complete immunity of the state and any such political subdivisions from liability thereon, which recital shall contain substantially the foregoing provisions of this Code section.
While any of the bonds or notes issued by the authority remain outstanding, the powers, duties, or existence of the authority or of its officers, employees, or agents shall not be diminished, impaired, or affected in any manner which will affect adversely the interest and rights of the owners of such bonds or notes; and no other authority, instrumentality, or body will be created or empowered to compete with the authority so as to affect adversely the interests and rights of the owners of such bonds or notes; nor will the state itself so compete with the authority. This article shall be for the benefit of the state, the authority, and every owner of the authority's bonds and notes and, upon and after the issuance of bonds or notes under this article, shall constitute an irrevocable contract by the state with the owners of such bonds and notes.
(a) If the authority defaults on the payment of the principal or interest on any of the revenue bonds after the same become due, whether at maturity or upon call for redemption, and such default continues for a period of 30 days, or if the authority or its officers, agents, or employees fail or refuse to comply with the essential provisions of this article or default in any material respect on any agreement made with the holders of the revenue bonds, any holders of revenue bonds or a trustee therefor shall have the right to apply in an appropriate judicial proceeding to the Superior Court of Fulton County for the appointment of a receiver of the undertaking, regardless of whether all revenue bonds have been declared due and payable, and regardless of whether such holder or trustee therefor is seeking or has sought to enforce any other right or exercise any remedy in connection with such revenue bonds. Upon such application, the court, if it deems such action necessary for the protection of the bondholders, may appoint a receiver for the undertaking, provided that such appointment shall be mandatory if the application is made by the holders of 25 percent in principal amount of such revenue bonds then outstanding, or by any trustee for holders of such revenue bonds in such principal amount.
(b) A receiver appointed pursuant to subsection (a) of this Code section shall forthwith, directly or by his agents and attorneys, enter into and upon and take possession of the project or of such portion thereof or interest therein as is owned by the authority. If the court so directs, the receiver may wholly exclude from the project the authority, its officers, agents, and employees, and all persons claiming under them. Upon taking possession of the project, the receiver shall have, hold, use, operate, manage, and control the same and each and every part thereof and, in the name of the authority or otherwise, as the receiver may deem best, shall exercise all the rights and powers of the authority with respect to the undertaking as the authority itself might do. The receiver shall maintain, restore, insure, and keep insured the project or such portion or interest therein as is owned by the authority; from time to time shall make all such necessary or proper repairs as the receiver may deem expedient; shall establish and maintain rates and collect such fees, tolls, and other charges in connection with the project as the receiver may deem necessary or proper and reasonable; and shall collect and receive all revenues, shall deposit the same in a separate account, and shall apply such revenues so collected and received in such manner as the court shall direct, provided that the duties of the receiver as described in this subsection shall be performed in a manner consistent with any and all existing contractual arrangements to which the authority may be a party; and the powers of the receiver shall be no greater than the powers of the authority.
(c) Whenever all amounts due upon the revenue bonds and interest thereon have been cured and made good; and whenever a similar cure and making good has been effected in regard to any other notes, bonds, or other obligations, and interest thereon, which constitute a charge, lien, or encumbrance on the revenues of the project under any of the terms of any covenants or agreements with holders of revenue bonds; then, if it appears to the court that no default is imminent, the court shall direct the receiver to surrender possession of the project to the authority, provided that the same right of the holders of the revenue bonds to secure the appointment of a receiver as is provided in subsection (a) of this Code section shall exist upon any subsequent default.
(d) A receiver shall, in the performance of the powers conferred upon him by this Code section, act under the direction and supervision of the court making such appointment, shall at all times be subject to the orders and decrees of such court, and may be removed thereby. Nothing contained in this Code section shall limit or restrict the jurisdiction of such court to enter such other and further orders and decrees as the court may deem necessary or appropriate for the exercise by the receiver of any functions specifically set forth in this Code section.
(a) For the purpose of earning sufficient revenue to make possible the financing of the construction of the projects of the authority with revenue bonds, the authority is authorized and empowered to fix and revise rates and collect fees, tolls, and charges on each project which it causes to be acquired or constructed. Such rates, fees, tolls, and charges to be paid for the use of the facilities or services of such projects shall be so fixed and adjusted from time to time as to provide a fund which, together with other revenue, if any, of such projects or of the authority, will be sufficient:
(1) To pay:
(A) The costs of operating, maintaining, and repairing the projects, including reserves for insurance and extraordinary repairs, reserves for fuel, and other reserves required by the resolution, trust agreement, or indenture pertaining to such bonds and the issuance thereof, unless such costs shall be otherwise provided for;
(B) The costs of operating and conducting the business of the authority, including salaries; fees for professional services, including legal, engineering, and others; and all expenses properly relating to the conduct of the affairs of the authority;
(C) The costs of power, whether generated by the authority or acquired from others; and
(D) All other costs associated with the operation of the authority and its projects and facilities;
(2) To pay the principal of and interest on such revenue bonds as the same become due, including all premiums, if any, the proceeds of which shall have been or will be used to pay the cost of such projects, which cost shall include all elements of cost authorized by this article, including acquisition of property, whether real or personal, and any interest in property; clearing and preparing land for the purposes of this article; architectural, engineering, financial, and legal services; construction of projects authorized by this article; administrative expenses; funds for initiating the operation of the project; and interest prior to and during construction and during such period of time thereafter as may be reasonably determined by the authority to be necessary to put the project into operation;
(3) To comply with any sinking fund requirements contained in the resolution, trust agreement, or indenture pertaining to the issuance of and security for such bonds;
(4) To perform fully all provisions of such resolution, trust agreement, or indenture relating to the issuance of or security for such bonds to the payment of which such revenue is pledged;
(5) To accumulate any excess income which may be required by the purchasers of such bonds or may be dictated by the requirements of such resolution, trust agreement, or indenture or by the requirements of achieving ready marketability of and low interest rates on such bonds; and
(6) To pay expenses in connection with such bond issue or such projects, including, but not limited to, trustees' and fiscal fees.
(b) The rates, fees, tolls, and charges authorized by subsection (a) of this Code section shall be payable at such intervals as may be agreed upon and set forth in the contract providing therefor. Any such contract may provide for the commencement of payments, not necessarily based directly on rates, to the authority prior to the completion of the undertaking by the authority of any such project; may provide for the making of payments during such times as such projects may be partially or wholly not in use, whether or not any such project has been completed, is then operable, or is operating; and may provide that such payments shall not be subject to any reduction, by offset or otherwise, and shall not be conditioned upon the performance or nonperformance by any party of any agreement.
(c) Such contract may obligate the political subdivision to indemnify and save harmless the authority from any and all damage to persons and property occurring on or by reason of the project, and may also obligate the political subdivision to undertake, at the expense of the political subdivision, the defense of any action brought against the authority by reason of injury or damages to persons or property occurring on or by reason of the project.
(d) In the event of any failure or refusal on the part of the political subdivision to perform punctually any covenant or obligation contained in any such contract, the authority may enforce performance by any legal or equitable process, including specific performance.
(e) Any payments due or to become due to the authority pursuant to any such contract may be assigned by the authority to a trustee or paying agent as may be required by the terms of the resolution, trust agreement, or indenture relating to the issuance of and security for such bonds.
(f) The use and disposition of the authority's revenue shall be subject to the provisions of the resolution authorizing the issuance of such bonds or of the trust agreement or indenture, if any, securing the same.
All funds received pursuant to authority of this article, whether as proceeds from the sale of revenue bonds or as revenues, fees, tolls, charges, or other earnings or as gifts, grants, or other contributions, shall be deemed to be trust funds to be held and applied solely as provided in this article. The bond owners entitled to receive the benefits of such funds shall have a lien on all such funds until applied as provided in any such resolution, trust agreement, or indenture of the authority.
The authority, together with all funds established in connection with its debt, shall be audited no less frequently than annually by an independent certified public accountant to be selected by the authority. Copies of such audit shall be available upon request to interested parties, including, but without limitation, the holders of the authority's bonds and all parties contracting with the authority.
Any action to protect or enforce any rights under this article brought in the courts of this state shall be brought in the Superior Court of Fulton County. Any action pertaining to validation of the bonds issued under this article and pertaining to validation of the contracts constituting security for bonds shall also be brought in the Superior Court of Fulton County. That court shall have exclusive original jurisdiction of any action referred to in this Code section, provided that any action on any contractual obligation brought against the authority by any political subdivision contracting with the authority may be brought either in the county containing all or the largest part of the area of the political subdivision involved or in Fulton County, at the option of the party bringing the action.
The rates, services, and practices relating to the generation, transmission, and sale by the authority of power to be generated from the projects authorized by this article shall not be subject to the provisions of the Georgia Public Service Commission law nor to regulation by nor jurisdiction of the commission.
Meetings of the authority shall be subject to Chapter 14 of Title 50. All records of the authority shall be subject to Article 4 of Chapter 18 of Title 50.
The provisions of this article shall be regarded as supplementary and additional to and cumulative of powers conferred by other laws and shall not be regarded as being in derogation of any powers conferred by any other law.
This article, being for the welfare of the state and its inhabitants, shall be liberally construed to effect the purposes hereof.
This article may be cited as the “Georgia Electric Membership Corporation Act.”
As used in this article, the term:
(1) “Address” means a complete mailing address, including, whenever practicable, street and number or building and floor.
(2) “Articles of incorporation” means the original or restated articles of incorporation or articles of consolidation and all the amendments thereto, including articles of merger, and also includes what have been designated by the laws of this state prior to July 1, 1981, as charters.
(2.1) “Broadband affiliate” means any person which directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control of one or more electric membership corporations and which is used to provide broadband services.
(2.2) “Broadband facilities” means any facilities and equipment utilized to provide or support broadband services.
(2.3) “Broadband services” means a wired or wireless service that consists of the capability to transmit data at a rate not less than 200 kilobits per second to and from end users and in combination with such service provides:
(A) Access to the internet;
(B) Computer processing, information storage, or protocol conversion; or
(C) Any application or information content to be provided over or through broadband.
Such term shall include any broadband facilities and equipment associated with providing such a service.
(2.4) “Communications service provider” means a provider of cable service as defined in 47 U.S.C. Section 522(6), telecommunications service as defined in 47 U.S.C. Section 153(53), or information service as defined in 47 U.S.C. Section 153(24), as each such term existed on January 1, 2019.
(2.5) “Electric easement” means a right of way or an easement, whether acquired by eminent domain, prescription, or conveyance, that is used or may be used for transmitting, distributing, or providing electrical energy and services by utilizing aboveground or underground wires, cables, lines, or similar facilities.
(3) “Electric membership corporation” or “EMC” means an electric membership corporation organized under this article or any prior electric membership corporation law of this state, or a corporation which elected, in accordance with the provisions thereof, to be governed by Ga. L. 1937, p. 644, the “Electric Membership Corporation Act.”
(4) “Federal agency” includes the United States of America and any department, administration, commission, board, bureau, office, establishment, agency, authority, or instrumentality thereof.
(5) “Foreign electric cooperative” means a cooperative, nonprofit membership corporation organized under laws other than the laws of this state for the same or similar purposes for which an electric membership corporation may be organized under this article.
(5.1) “Gas activities” shall have the same meaning as provided for in Code Section 46-4-152.
(5.2) “Gas affiliate” shall have the same meaning as the term “EMC gas affiliate” provided in Code Section 46-4-152.
(6) “Insolvent” means that an electric membership corporation is unable to pay its debts as they become due in the usual course of its business or that it has liabilities in excess of assets.
(7) “Member” means a person that has met the requirements and conditions of membership in an electric membership corporation which are set forth in this article and in the articles of incorporation and bylaws of an electric membership corporation.
(8) “Person” includes any natural person; firm; association; electric membership corporation; cooperative; corporation; business or other trust; partnership; limited liability company; federal agency; state or political subdivision thereof; body politic; or other entity recognized by law.
(8.1) “Retail broadband services” means any broadband services other than those provided for:
(A) The internal use of an electric membership corporation;
(B) The internal use of another electric membership corporation;
(C) Resale by another electric membership corporation or other communications service providers; or
(D) Use as a component part of communications services that other communications service providers offer to their customers.
(9) “Service” means any service or commodity which an electric membership corporation may provide under this article for which value is paid.
(a) This article shall apply to electric membership corporations but shall not apply to other persons except when expressly so provided in this article.
(b) This article shall apply to commerce with foreign nations and among the several states only insofar as the same may be permitted under the Constitution and laws of the United States.
(c) This article shall not impair the existence of any electric membership corporation existing on July 1, 1981. Any such existing electric membership corporation and its members, directors, and officers shall have the same rights and be subject to the same limitations, restrictions, liabilities, and penalties as an electric membership corporation formed under this article and its members, directors, and officers.
(d) If the articles of incorporation or the bylaws of an electric membership corporation in existence on July 1, 1981, contain any provisions which were not authorized or permitted by the prior electric membership corporation law of this state but which are authorized or permitted by this article, such articles of incorporation or bylaw provisions shall be valid on and from July 1, 1981; and action may be taken on and from that date in reliance on such provisions.
(a) With respect to any contract, conveyance, or other such document executed by and on behalf of an electric membership corporation or a foreign electric cooperative, the presence of the corporate seal or facsimile thereof, attested by the secretary or an assistant secretary of the corporation, shall attest:
(1) That the corporate seal or facsimile thereof affixed to the document is in fact the seal of the corporation or a true facsimile thereof, as the case may be;
(2) That any officer of the corporation executing the document does in fact occupy the official position indicated; that one in such position is duly authorized to execute such document on behalf of the corporation; and that the signature of such officer subscribed thereto is genuine; and
(3) That the execution of the document on behalf of the corporation has been duly authorized.
(b) When the seal of an electric membership corporation or facsimile thereof is affixed to any document and is attested by the secretary or an assistant secretary of an electric membership corporation, a third party without knowledge or reason to know to the contrary may rely on such document as being what it purports to be.
(c) When other provisions of this article require a document to be executed as provided in this Code section, the document shall be signed by the president or other chief executive officer, or a vice-president; and his signature shall be attested by the secretary or an assistant secretary. If the corporate seal is affixed, the signature of the secretary or assistant secretary shall also attest the seal.
(d) The seal of the electric membership corporation may, but need not, be affixed to any document executed in accordance with this article; and its absence therefrom shall not impair the validity of the document or of any action taken in pursuance thereof or in reliance thereon.
(e) Deeds or other transfer instruments requiring execution after the dissolution of an electric membership corporation may be signed by any two of the last officers or directors of the electric membership corporation and shall operate to convey the interest of the electric membership corporation in the real estate or other property described.
(a) Whenever this article requires any document to be delivered for filing as provided in this article, unless otherwise specifically stated in this article and subject to any additional provisions of this article, such requirement shall mean that:
(1) The original executed document, together with a conformed copy thereof, shall be delivered to the office of the Secretary of State;
(2) All fees required for filing the document shall be tendered to the Secretary of State;
(3) Upon delivery of the documents, and upon tender of the required fees, the Secretary of State shall certify that the original has been filed in his office by endorsing upon the original the word “filed” and the hour, day, month, and year thereof. Such endorsement shall be known as the filing date of the document and shall be conclusive of the date of filing in the absence of actual fraud. The Secretary of State shall thereafter file and index the original;
(4) The Secretary of State shall immediately compare the conformed copy with the original; and, if he finds that they are identical, he shall certify the conformed copy by making upon it the same endorsement which is required to appear upon the original, together with a further endorsement that the conformed copy is a true copy of the original document;
(5) The conformed copy, so certified, shall be returned to the person or persons delivering the documents to the Secretary of State or to the designee of such person or persons; and it shall be retained as part of the permanent records of the electric membership corporation or foreign electric cooperative.
(b) Whenever any document authorized to be filed with the Secretary of State under this article has been so filed and contains errors in, inaccuracies in, or omissions of information required by this article, is an inaccurate record of the action therein referred to, or was defectively or erroneously executed or sealed, such document may be corrected by filing articles of correction with the Secretary of State. The articles of correction shall specify the error, inaccuracy, omission, or defect to be corrected and shall set forth the portion of the document in corrected form. Except as set forth in subsection (c) of this Code section, the procedure for filing articles of correction shall be the same as would be required under this article for filing the document being corrected. The corrected document shall be effective as of the effective date of the original document, except as to those persons who are substantially and adversely affected by the correction; and, as to those persons, the corrected document shall be effective from the filing date of the articles of correction.
(c) No fee shall be payable to the Secretary of State for filing the articles of correction. The filing of the articles of correction as authorized in subsection (b) of this Code section shall not require the republication of any notice previously published in connection with the filing of the original document unless the error, inaccuracy, omission, or defect in the original document relates to information which was disclosed in the notice. In the event the error, inaccuracy, omission, or defect in the original document relates to information disclosed in the notice, a new notice shall be published in the same manner as the original publication. The publisher's fee for republication shall be the same as the fee for the original publication.
The Secretary of State, at any time, upon the request of any person, shall make and certify additional copies of any document filed with his or her office and of the certificate, if any, issued by the Secretary of State in connection with the filing of the document, under this article, upon payment to the Secretary of State of the fee provided for in Code Section 46-3-502.
Whenever any electric membership corporation shall have borrowed money from any federal agency, the obligations issued to secure the payment of such money shall be and are classified as securities, the inherent qualities of which assure their sale and disposition without the perpetuation of fraud and which, together with membership certificates issued by any such electric membership corporation, shall not be subject to the Georgia securities laws.
Except as otherwise provided in Part 1 of Article 1 of this chapter, the “Georgia Territorial Electric Service Act,” electric membership corporations shall not be subject to the jurisdiction of the commission.
It is the intention of the General Assembly that nothing in this article shall be construed so as to authorize any electric membership corporation to own or operate a cable television system.
Transactions validly entered into before July 1, 1981, and the rights, duties, and interests flowing from them shall remain valid thereafter and may be terminated, completed, consummated, or enforced as required or permitted by any statute repealed by this article as though such repeal had not occurred.
The repeal of a prior Act by this article shall not affect any cause of action, liability, penalty, or action or special proceeding which is accrued, existing, incurred, or pending on July 1, 1981; but the same may be asserted, enforced, prosecuted, or defended as if the prior Act had not been repealed.
The General Assembly shall at all times have power to prescribe such regulations, provisions, and limitations as it may deem advisable, which regulations, provisions, and limitations shall be binding upon any and all persons which are subject to this article; and the General Assembly shall have power to amend, repeal, or modify this article at pleasure.
Nothing in this article repeals, or is intended to repeal, either expressly or by implication, any provision of Part 1 of Article 1 of this chapter, the “Georgia Territorial Electric Service Act.”
An electric membership corporation may serve any one or more of the following purposes:
(1) Furnish electrical energy and service;
(2) Assist its members in the efficient and economical use of energy;
(3) Engage in research and promote and develop energy conservation and sources and methods of conserving, producing, converting, and delivering energy;
(4) Provide and operate broadband facilities and provide and use the broadband services described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (8.1) of Code Section 46-3-171;
(5) Furnish on a nondiscriminatory basis the broadband services described in subparagraphs (C) and (D) of paragraph (8.1) of Code Section 46-3-171;
(6) Form, fund, support, and operate a broadband affiliate, directly or indirectly, contingent upon compliance with Code Sections 46-5-163 and 46-3-200.2; and
(7) Engage in any lawful act or activity necessary or convenient to effect the foregoing purposes.
In order to assist a broadband affiliate in the planning, engineering, construction, extension, provision, operation, repair, and maintenance of broadband services, an electric membership corporation or its broadband affiliate shall be authorized to:
(1) Apply for, accept, repay, and utilize loans, grants, and other financing from any person; and
(2) Enter into contracts, agreements, partnerships, or other types of business relationships with any person.
(a) No electric membership corporation, broadband affiliate, or gas affiliate shall permit cross-subsidization between its electricity services activities, its broadband services activities, or its gas activities. To prevent cross-subsidization between broadband services activities and gas activities and between broadband services activities and electricity services activities, any electric membership corporation with a broadband affiliate that provides retail broadband services shall:
(1) Fully allocate all costs of electricity services activities and broadband services activities, including costs of any shared services, between electricity services activities and such broadband affiliate's broadband services activities, in accordance with:
(A) The provisions of this Code section; and
(B) The applicable uniform system of accounts and generally accepted accounting principles that are applicable to electric membership corporations under federal and state laws, rules, and regulations;
(2) Not charge any costs of electricity services activities or gas activities to the broadband services customers of the broadband affiliate;
(3) Not charge any costs of broadband services activities to the electricity services customers of such electric membership corporation or to the gas activities customers of its gas affiliate; and
(4) Not use below-market loans or below-market funding from programs that are not intended to support the deployment of broadband facilities or broadband services in order to support broadband facilities or to provide broadband services unless the electric membership corporation or its broadband affiliate imputes the difference between market rates and the below-market loans or below-market funding into the costs of its broadband facilities and broadband services. The provisions of this paragraph shall not apply to loans or funding from programs that are intended to support the deployment of broadband facilities or broadband services.
(b) An electric membership corporation that has a broadband affiliate that provides retail broadband services shall:
(1) Not condition the receipt of electricity services upon, nor provide more favorable terms for electricity services in exchange for, persons that receive broadband services from the electric membership corporation or its broadband affiliate;
(2) Have a duty to provide access to the poles, ducts, conduits, and easements of such electric membership corporation to all communications service providers on rates, terms, and conditions that are just, reasonable, and nondiscriminatory;
(3) Not provide its broadband affiliate or any communications service provider any information obtained from other communications service providers in the pole attachment request and approval process, including without limitation the requested locations for pole attachments, the locations of the customers to be served, or any identifying information regarding such customers;
(4) When such electric membership corporation is assisting a customer or potential customer seeking to initiate electricity services and there is any inquiry or discussion regarding the availability of retail broadband services, in the course of the same discussion or transaction in which such assistance is being provided, inform such customer or potential customer of other providers offering broadband services in such customer's area based on any service map of a provider of broadband services or similar resource maintained by any department of the state or federal government and inform such customer or potential customer that broadband services may be obtained from such electric membership corporation's broadband affiliate or such other providers of broadband services. Such information shall be provided only with regard to other providers of broadband services that have notified the electric membership corporation's broadband affiliate, in writing and in a commercially reasonable manner, that such provider of broadband services is able and willing to provide broadband services to customers located within all or a portion of the electric membership corporation's designated electricity service territory; and
(5) Develop and maintain a cost allocation manual, to be approved by the commission, describing the electric membership corporation's methods of cost allocation and such other information and policies reasonably required to ensure compliance with this article. Such manual shall:
(A) Establish rules for the pricing of transactions between an electric membership corporation and its gas affiliates and broadband affiliates, as applicable, including the transfer of assets between such electric membership corporation and its gas affiliates and broadband affiliates;
(B) Require the electric membership corporation and its gas affiliates and broadband affiliates, as applicable, to maintain separate books of accounts and records which shall be subject to inspection to confirm compliance with this article and the cost allocation manual; and
(C) Require that all services that an electric membership corporation provides to its gas affiliates and broadband affiliates, as applicable, be provided at the same rates and on the same terms and conditions as any other similarly situated retail customer or communications service provider. Any such services provided to any communications service provider shall be on a strictly confidential basis, such that the electric membership corporation does not share information regarding any communications service provider with any other communications service provider, including a broadband affiliate.
(c) The commission shall have jurisdiction over each broadband affiliate and each electric membership corporation that has a broadband affiliate that provides retail broadband services to enforce compliance within the provisions of this Code section. The commission shall provide for an expedited adjudication of any complaint as to a failure to comply with this Code section and may engage an administrative law judge for purposes of such adjudication.
(d) Except as provided in subsection (e) of this Code section, this Code section shall only apply to electric membership corporations with a broadband affiliate offering retail broadband services.
(e) As to an electric membership corporation that was offering retail broadband services on or before January 1, 2019, whether directly through the electric membership corporation or indirectly through a broadband affiliate, this Code section shall only apply to retail broadband services offered on or after January 1, 2021, and such electric membership corporation shall have until January 1, 2021, to develop and maintain the cost allocation manual required in paragraph (5) of subsection (b) of this Code section.
Broadband affiliates shall have all of the rights, powers, and benefits granted to other entities under the provisions of Title 14 and shall not be subject to any restrictions contained in this article, except that a broadband affiliate shall:
(1) Only serve the purposes of developing, providing, furnishing, or promoting broadband facilities and broadband services, or a combination of such purposes; and
(2) Be subject to the provisions of Code Section 46-3-200.2.
(a) As used in this Code section, the term:
(1) “Attachment” means the connection or fastening of a wire or cable to a utility pole.
(2) “Broadband services” shall have the same meaning as provided for the term “broadband service” in Code Section 46-5-221.
(3) “Communications service provider” means a provider of cable service as defined in 47 U.S.C. Section 522(6), telecommunications service as defined in 47 U.S.C. Section 153(53), or information service as defined in 47 U.S.C. Section 153(24), as each such term existed on January 1, 2020.
(4) “Utility pole” means a pole or similar structure that is used in whole or in part for electric distribution by an electric membership corporation or an affiliate thereof.
(b) In order to promote the deployment of broadband services in this state, and except as required by the Tennessee Valley Authority for its distributors in this state, on and after July 1, 2021, the rates, fees, terms, conditions, and specifications in any pole attachment agreement entered into by a communications service provider and an electric membership corporation shall be as determined by the commission, except as provided in subsection (e) of this Code section. Such determination shall be made after consideration of what is just, reasonable, nondiscriminatory, and commercially reasonable. The commission shall by rules and regulations prescribe the process for making such a determination providing all interested parties the opportunity to be heard and to present evidence. On or before January 1, 2021, the commission shall publish the pole attachment rates, fees, terms, conditions, and specifications.
(c) The commission shall have jurisdiction over all electric membership corporations to enforce compliance within the provisions of this Code section. The commission shall provide for an expedited adjudication of any complaint as to a failure to comply with this Code section and may engage an administrative law judge for purposes of such adjudication.
(d) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (b) of this Code section, any existing agreement between a communications service provider and an electric membership corporation shall remain in effect until the date of its natural expiration or lawful termination.
(e) Any electric membership corporation and communications service provider may enter into a mutual agreement as to the rates, fees, terms, conditions, and specifications for attachments to utility poles by communications service providers that differ from those provided for in subsection (b) of this Code section.
(a) Subject to any limitations provided in this article, or in any other law, and consistent with the purposes set forth in this article, each electric membership corporation:
(1) Shall exist under articles of incorporation;
(2) Shall have perpetual duration unless a limited period of duration is stated in its articles of incorporation; provided, however, that each electric membership corporation existing or continuing to operate as an electric membership corporation after the expiration of the period of duration stated in its articles of incorporation or any renewal thereof, on July 1, 1981, shall have perpetual duration unless its articles of incorporation are amended under this article to provide for a limited period of duration. The existence of any such electric membership corporation whose articles of incorporation were expired on July 1, 1981, shall be deemed to have continued without interruption from the date of such expiration;
(3) Shall have power:
(A) To cease its corporate activities and surrender its corporate franchise;
(B) To renew or revive its corporate existence in case a limited period of duration is fixed in its articles of incorporation; and
(C) To sue and be sued and to complain and defend in all courts and to participate in any judicial, administrative, arbitrative, or other action or proceeding.
(b) Subject to any limitations provided in this article or in any other law, and consistent with the purposes set forth in this article, each electric membership corporation shall have power:
(1) To conduct its business, carry on its operations, have offices, and exercise its powers granted by this article at any location within or outside of this state;
(2) To make and alter bylaws, not inconsistent with its articles of incorporation or with the laws of this state, for the administration and regulation of the affairs of the electric membership corporation;
(3) To elect, appoint, or hire officers, employees, and other agents of the electric membership corporation; to define their duties; and to fix their compensation and the compensation of directors;
(4) To have a corporate seal which may be altered at pleasure and to use the seal by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed or affixed or in any other manner reproduced;
(5) To purchase; take; receive by gift, will, or otherwise; lease; or otherwise acquire, own, hold, improve, use, and otherwise deal in and with real or personal property or any interest therein, wherever situated;
(6) To sell, convey, lease, exchange, transfer, and otherwise dispose of all or any part of its property and assets or any interest therein, wherever situated;
(7) To generate, manufacture, purchase, acquire, and accumulate electricity, and to transmit, distribute, sell, furnish, and dispose of such electricity;
(8) To assist its members in any manner in the efficient and economical use of energy, including, but not limited to, the installation of wiring, insulation, electrical machinery, supplies, apparatus, and equipment of any and all kinds or character;
(9) To acquire, own, hold, use, exercise, and, to the extent permitted by law, sell, mortgage, pledge, hypothecate, and in any manner dispose of franchises, rights, privileges, licenses, rights of way, and easements necessary, useful, or appropriate. Any such electric membership corporation shall have the right to acquire rights of way, easements, and all interests in realty necessary and appropriate to effectuate the purposes of such electric membership corporation by condemnation under the same procedure and terms as provided by Title 22 and any other law of this state which provides a method or procedure for the condemnation of property for public purposes by all persons or corporations having the privilege of exercising the right of eminent domain;
(10) In connection with the acquisition, construction, improvement, operation, or maintenance of its lines, to use any highway or any right of way, easement, or other similar property right owned or held by the state or any political subdivision thereof, subject to reasonable rules and regulations as to safety as may be promulgated by the State Transportation Board or subject to such reasonable terms and conditions as the governing body of such political subdivision shall determine;
(11) To make any and all contracts necessary or convenient for the exercise of the powers granted in this article, including, but not limited to, contracts with any person, federal agency, or municipality for the purchase or sale of energy; and, in connection with any such contract, to stipulate and agree to such covenants, terms, and conditions as the board of directors may deem appropriate, including, but not limited to, covenants, terms, and conditions with respect to resale rates, financial and accounting methods, services, operation and maintenance practices, and the manner of disposing of the revenues of the system operated and maintained by the electric membership corporation;
(12) To make and enter into contracts of guaranty, whether or not the electric membership corporation has a direct interest in the subject matter of the contract with respect to which it acts as guarantor or surety;
(13) To incur obligations and liabilities, borrow money, issue its notes, bonds, and other obligations, and to execute and deliver any one or more mortgages, deeds of trust, or deeds to secure debt covering, or to create by other means a security interest in, any or all of the real or personal property, assets, rights, privileges, licenses, franchises, and permits of the electric membership corporation or any interest therein, as well as the revenues therefrom, whether acquired or to be acquired, and wherever situated, for the purpose of securing the payment or performance of any one or more contracts, notes, bonds, or other obligations of the electric membership corporation;
(14) To purchase, take, receive, subscribe for, or otherwise acquire; to own, hold, vote, use, or employ; to sell, lend, or otherwise dispose of; to mortgage, pledge, create a security interest in, or otherwise encumber; and otherwise to use and deal in and with shares or other interests in or obligations of electric membership corporations or other domestic or foreign corporations, whether for profit or not, associations, partnerships, or individuals, or direct or indirect obligations of the United States or of any other government, state, territory, governmental district, or municipality or any instrumentality thereof;
(15) To form or acquire the control of other electric membership corporations, foreign electric cooperatives, and other corporations, whether domestic or foreign;
(16) To participate with any other person or persons in any corporation, partnership, transaction, arrangement, operation, organization, or venture, even if such participation involves sharing of control with or delegation of control to others;
(17) To lend money, invest and reinvest its funds, and take and hold real and personal property as security for the payment of funds so loaned or invested;
(18) To make donations, irrespective of corporate benefit, for the public welfare or for community fund, hospital, charitable, scientific, educational, civic, or similar purposes, and in time of war or other national emergency in aid of the national effort with respect thereto;
(19) At the request or direction of the United States government or any agency thereof, to transact any lawful business in time of war or national emergency or in aid of national defense;
(20) To procure for its benefit insurance on the life of any of its directors, officers, or employees or any other person whose death might cause financial loss to the electric membership corporation;
(21) To reimburse and indemnify litigation expenses of directors, officers, and employees and to purchase and maintain liability insurance for their benefit;
(22) To purchase and otherwise acquire and dispose of its own securities;
(23) To pay pensions and establish and carry out pension, savings, thrift, and other retirement, incentive, and benefit plans, trusts, and provisions for any or all of its directors, officers, and employees;
(24) To fix, regulate, and collect rates, fees, rents, or other charges for electric energy and any other facilities, supplies, equipment, or services furnished by the electric membership corporation;
(25) To assist any other electric membership corporation in the execution of its purposes and powers under this article; and
(26) To have and exercise all powers necessary or convenient to effect any or all of the purposes for which the electric membership corporation is organized.
(c) It shall not be necessary to set forth in the articles of incorporation any of the powers enumerated in this Code section.
(d) The articles of incorporation may limit or expand the powers conferred by subsection (b) of this Code section in any manner not inconsistent with any other provisions of this article or any other law or with the purposes of electric membership corporations.
No act of an electric membership corporation and no conveyance or transfer of real or personal property to or by an electric membership corporation shall be invalid by reason of the fact that the electric membership corporation was without capacity or power to do such act or to make or receive such conveyance or transfer; but such lack of capacity or power may be asserted:
(1) In an action by a member or director against the electric membership corporation to enjoin the doing of any act or the transfer of real or personal property by or to the electric membership corporation, unless the plaintiff has assented to the act or transfer in question or in bringing the action is acting in collusion with officials of the electric membership corporation. If the unauthorized act or transfer sought to be enjoined is being or is to be performed or made pursuant to any contract to which the electric membership corporation is a party, the court may, if all the parties to the contract are parties to the action and if it deems the same to be equitable, set aside and enjoin the performance of such contract and in so doing may allow to the electric membership corporation or to the other parties to the contract, as the case may be, compensation for the loss or damage sustained by either of them which may result from the action of the court in setting aside and enjoining the performance of such contracts; but anticipated profits to be derived from the performance of the contract shall not be awarded by the court as a loss or damage sustained;
(2) In an action by the electric membership corporation, whether acting directly or through a receiver, trustee, or other legal representative or through members in a representative action, against an incumbent or former officer or director of the electric membership corporation for loss or damage due to his unauthorized act; or
(3) In an action by the Attorney General to dissolve the electric membership corporation or in an action by the Attorney General to enjoin the electric membership corporation from the transaction of unauthorized business.
All persons who assume to act as an electric membership corporation before the Secretary of State has issued the certificate of incorporation to the incorporator or incorporators or his or their attorney shall be jointly and severally liable for all debts and liabilities incurred or arising as a result thereof.
All rights of action accruing against any electric membership corporation growing out of the acquisition of rights of way or easements or the occupying of lands of others by such electric membership corporations shall be barred at the end of 12 months from the date of the accrual of such cause of action; and in cases where any such electric membership corporation is in possession of the lands of others without having condemned the property as provided, and such electric membership corporation is using any such land of another for any of the purposes for which an electric membership corporation may be created under this article, and the owners of the land took no legal steps to prevent the occupation of the land by the electric membership corporation, the rights of the owner of the land shall be limited to whatever damages may have been caused to his realty by such occupation; and this limitation shall apply to all persons whether sui juris or not.
(a) The General Assembly finds that electric membership corporations providing broadband services should be permitted to use existing electric easements to provide or expand access to broadband services. The General Assembly also finds that utilizing existing electric easements to provide broadband services, without the placement of additional poles or other ground based structures, does not change the physical use of the easement, interfere with or impair any vested rights of the owner or occupier of the real property subject to the electric easement, or place any additional burden on the property interests of such owner or occupier. Consequently, the installation and operation of broadband services within any electric easement are merely changes in the manner or degree of the granted use as appropriate to accommodate a new technology and, absent any applicable express prohibition contained in the instrument conveying or granting the electric easement, shall be deemed as a matter of law to be a permitted use within the scope of every electric easement.
(b) Subject to compliance with any express prohibitions in an electric easement, the owner of an electric easement may use an electric easement to install, maintain, lease, and operate broadband services without incurring liability to the owner or occupant of the real property subject to the electric easement or paying additional compensation to the owner or occupant of the real property subject to the electric easement, so long as no additional poles or other ground based structures are installed; provided, however, that any electric utility owning an electric easement may assess fees and charges and impose reasonable conditions on the use of its facilities within an electric easement for the purpose of providing or supporting broadband services.
(c) Nothing in this Code section shall in any way affect, abrogate, or eliminate the obligation of an owner of an electric easement that is located on, along, over, across, or under property owned or controlled by a railroad company or state agency to comply with the application, review, safety, and permit requirements of such railroad company or state agency for projects of the nature contemplated by this Code section. Such requirements may include, but are not limited to, insurance coverage and responsibility of the owner of an electric easement to pay for costs incurred by a railroad company or state agency related to such requirements, such as safety measures and engineering review costs. For purposes of this subsection, the term “state agency” means any department, division, board, bureau, commission, or other agency of the state government or any state authority.
(a) The corporate name shall be written in Roman or cursive letters or Arabic or Roman numbers and:
(1) Shall contain the words “electric membership corporation” or an abbreviation of such words;
(2) Shall not contain any word or phrase:
(A) Which indicates or implies that the electric membership corporation is organized for any purpose other than one or more of the purposes permitted by this article and its articles of incorporation; or
(B) Which, in the reasonable judgment of the Secretary of State, is obscene;
(3) Shall not be the same as or confusingly similar to:
(A) The name of any electric membership corporation or other corporation, whether for profit or not, existing under the laws of this state;
(B) The name of any foreign corporation, whether for profit or not, or any foreign electric cooperative authorized to transact business in this state;
(C) A name the exclusive right to which is at the time reserved in the manner provided in Chapter 3 of Title 14, the “Georgia Nonprofit Corporation Code,” Chapter 2 of Title 14, the “Georgia Business Corporation Code,” or in this article;
(D) The name of a corporation which has in effect a registration of its corporate name as provided in Chapter 2 of Title 14, the “Georgia Business Corporation Code”; or
(E) Any name prohibited by any other law of this state.
(b) Nothing in this Code section shall:
(1) Prevent the use of the name of any electric membership corporation or other corporation, whether domestic or foreign, by an electric membership corporation where the first such electric membership corporation or other corporation has consented to such use, and the name of the electric membership corporation proposing such use contains other words or characters which distinguish it from the name of the first such electric membership corporation or other corporation;
(2) Require any electric membership corporation existing on July 1, 1981, to add to, modify, or otherwise change its corporate name; or
(3) Abrogate or limit the law as to unfair competition or unfair trade practice nor derogate from the common law, principles of equity, or the statutes of this state or of the United States with respect to the right to acquire and protect trade names and trademarks.
(c) Any electric membership corporation which is precluded from using its corporate name in another state because such name is the same as or confusingly similar to that of an electric membership corporation or other corporation already authorized to transact business therein or to a name already reserved or registered in such state may amend its articles of incorporation to add to its corporate name, solely for use in such other state, a word, abbreviation, or other distinctive and distinguishing element (such as, for example, the state of its incorporation in parentheses) as may be necessary to resolve any reasonable confusion between the two names. Such amendment shall set forth the state or states as to which it shall apply; and the corporate name with such additions shall be the name of the electric membership corporation in such other state or states and shall be used in all of its dealings with the officials of such state or states and in the conduct of its business and affairs in such state or states.
(d) The words “electric membership corporation” shall not be used in the corporate name of corporations organized under the laws of this state, or authorized to do business in this state, other than electric membership corporations.
(a) The exclusive right to the use of a corporate name may be reserved by:
(1) Any person intending to organize an electric membership corporation under this article;
(2) Any electric membership corporation intending to change its name;
(3) Any foreign electric cooperative intending to make application for a certificate of authority to transact business in this state;
(4) Any foreign electric cooperative authorized to transact business in this state and intending to change its name; or
(5) Any person intending to organize a foreign electric cooperative and intending to have such foreign electric cooperative make application for a certificate of authority to transact business in this state.
(b) The reservation shall be made by making application to the Secretary of State to reserve a specified corporate name. If the Secretary of State finds that the name is available for corporate use, he shall reserve the name for the exclusive use of the applicant for a period of four calendar months from the date of filing. An extension of this period may be granted by the Secretary of State for good cause shown.
(c) Any person or electric membership corporation acquiring the right to use the corporate name of an electric membership corporation or other domestic corporation or of a foreign corporation or foreign electric cooperative authorized to transact business in this state may, on furnishing the Secretary of State satisfactory evidence of such acquisition, reserve the exclusive right to such corporate name for a period of five years.
(d) The right to the exclusive use of a specified corporate name reserved as provided in this Code section may be transferred to any person by filing in the office of the Secretary of State a notice of such transfer, executed by the applicant for whom the name was reserved and specifying the name and address of the transferee.
(e) The Secretary of State may revoke any reservation if, after hearing in his office, he finds that the application therefor or any transfer was not made in good faith.
(a) Each electric membership corporation shall have and continuously maintain in this state:
(1) A registered office which may be, but need not be, the same as its place of business; and
(2) A registered agent, which agent may be:
(A) A natural person residing in this state whose business office is identical with such registered office; or
(B) A domestic corporation or a foreign corporation authorized to transact business in this state, such domestic or foreign corporation having a business office identical with such registered office.
(b) The Secretary of State shall maintain current records, alphabetically arranged by corporate name, of the address of each electric membership corporation's registered office and of the name and address of each electric membership corporation's registered agent.
(c) No registered agent shall be appointed without his or its prior written consent. Such written consent shall be filed with or as part of the document first appointing any registered agent and shall be in such form as the Secretary of State may prescribe.
(a) An electric membership corporation may change its registered office or change its registered agent, or both, by executing and filing in the office of the Secretary of State a statement setting forth:
(1) The name of the electric membership corporation;
(2) The address of its then registered office;
(3) If the address of its registered office is to be changed, the new address of the registered office;
(4) The name of its then registered agent;
(5) If its registered agent is to be changed, the name of its successor registered agent and the written consent of such successor agent to his appointment; and
(6) That the address of its registered office and the address of the business office of its registered agent, as changed, will be identical.
(b) If the Secretary of State finds that such statement conforms to subsection (a) of this Code section, he shall file such statement in his office; and upon such filing, the change of address of the registered office or the change of the registered agent, or both, as the case may be, shall become effective.
(c) Any registered agent of an electric membership corporation may resign as such agent upon filing a written notice thereof with the Secretary of State. The appointment of such agent shall terminate upon the expiration of 30 days after receipt of such notice by the Secretary of State. There shall be attached to such notice an affidavit of such agent, if an individual, or of an officer thereof, if a corporation, that at least ten days prior to the date of filing such notice a written notice of the agent's intention to resign was mailed or delivered to the president, secretary, or treasurer of the electric membership corporation for which such agent is acting. Upon such resignation's becoming effective, the address of the business office of the resigned registered agent shall no longer be the registered office of the electric membership corporation.
(d) A registered agent may change his or its business address and the address of the registered office of any electric membership corporation of which he or it is registered agent to another place within the same county by filing a statement as required in subsection (a) of this Code section, except that such statement need be signed only by the registered agent and need not be responsive to paragraph (5) of subsection (a) of this Code section and must state that a copy of the statement has been mailed or delivered to a representative of such electric membership corporation other than the notifying registered agent.
(a) The registered agent appointed by an electric membership corporation pursuant to Code Section 46-3-240 shall be an agent of the electric membership corporation upon whom any process, notice, or demand required or permitted by law to be served upon the electric membership corporation may be served in the manner provided by law for the service of a summons and complaint.
(b) Whenever an electric membership corporation fails to appoint or maintain a registered agent in this state, or whenever its registered agent cannot with reasonable diligence be found at the registered office, then the Secretary of State shall be an agent of such electric membership corporation upon whom any process, notice, or demand may be served. Service on the Secretary of State of any such process, notice, or demand shall be made by delivering to and leaving with him, or with any person having charge of the corporation department of his office, or with any other person or persons designated by the Secretary of State to receive such service, duplicate copies of such process, notice, or demand. In the event any such process, notice, or demand is served on the Secretary of State, he shall immediately cause one of the copies thereof to be forwarded by registered or certified mail or statutory overnight delivery, addressed to the electric membership corporation at its registered office or, if there is no registered office, to the last known address of the electric membership corporation or to an officer listed on the most recent annual report filed with the Secretary of State or, if none, to any officer, director, or incorporator of the electric membership corporation as shown by the records of the Secretary of State. Any service so had on the Secretary of State shall be answerable not more than 30 days from the date so mailed by the Secretary of State. The provisions of this subsection may be used notwithstanding any inconsistent provisions of Chapter 11 of Title 9, the “Georgia Civil Practice Act.”
(c) The Secretary of State shall keep a record of all processes, notices, and demands served upon him under this Code section and shall record therein the time of such service and his action with reference thereto.
(d) Nothing in this Code section shall limit or affect the right to serve any process, notice, or demand required or permitted by law to be served on an electric membership corporation in any other manner permitted by law.
(a) Notwithstanding Code Section 46-1-2, venue in proceedings against an electric membership corporation or foreign electric cooperative shall be determined in accordance with the Constitution of Georgia and this Code section.
(b) Unless otherwise required by the Constitution of Georgia, an electric membership corporation or foreign electric cooperative may be sued only in the county of its residence, as described below:
(1) Each electric membership corporation and each foreign electric cooperative authorized to transact business in this state shall be deemed to reside in the county where its registered office is maintained. If any such electric membership corporation or foreign electric cooperative fails to maintain a registered office, it shall be deemed to reside in the county in this state where its last-named registered office or principal office, as shown by the records of the Secretary of State, was maintained;
(2) Each electric membership corporation and each foreign electric cooperative authorized to transact business in this state shall be deemed to reside and may be sued on contracts in the county in which the contract sought to be enforced was made or is to be performed, if it has an office and transacts business in that county;
(3) Each electric membership corporation and each foreign electric cooperative authorized to transact business in this state shall be deemed to reside, and may be sued for damages because of torts, wrong, or injury done, in the county where the cause of action originated, if it has an office and transacts business in that county.
All persons who may lawfully receive service from an electric membership corporation and who are receiving or have agreed to receive such service shall be members therein, subject to complying with such additional conditions and requirements for membership as are set forth in the articles of incorporation or bylaws of the electric membership corporation. The articles of incorporation or bylaws may also provide criteria for, procedures for, and limitations upon the transfer, classification, and termination of memberships in an electric membership corporation.
A member shall not, solely by virtue of his status as a member, be liable for the debts of an electric membership corporation; and the property of the member shall not, solely by virtue of his status as a member, be subject to attachment, garnishment, execution, or other collection procedure for such debts.
(a) Meetings of members may be held at such place within the service area of the electric membership corporation as may be provided in the bylaws. In the absence of any such provision, all meetings shall be held at a place within the service area of the electric membership corporation designated by the board of directors or, if no place is so designated, then at the registered office of the electric membership corporation in this state.
(b) An annual meeting of the members shall be held at such time as may be provided in the bylaws. In the absence of such designation, the annual meeting shall be held on the second Tuesday of the fourth month following the end of the fiscal year of the electric membership corporation or, if such day is a legal holiday, the next following business day. Failure to hold the annual meeting shall not work a forfeiture; nor shall such failure affect otherwise valid corporate acts. If the electric membership corporation shall fail or refuse to hold the annual meeting on the date provided therefor pursuant to the bylaws or, in the absence of such designation, on the date provided in this Code section and shall thereafter also fail or refuse to hold the annual meeting within 60 days after being requested by any member to do so, the superior court of the county where the registered office of the electric membership corporation is located may, after notice to the electric membership corporation, order a substitute annual meeting to be held upon the application of such member. The superior court may issue such orders as may be appropriate, including, without limitation, orders designating the time and place of such meeting, the record date for determination of members entitled to vote, and the form of notice of such meeting.
(c) Special meetings of members or a special meeting in lieu of the annual meeting of members may be called by the president, the chairman of the board of directors, the board of directors, or such other officers or persons as may be provided in the articles of incorporation or bylaws, or, in the event there are no officers or directors, then by any member. Special meetings of members or a special meeting in lieu of the annual meeting of members shall be called by the electric membership corporation upon the written request of not less than 10 percent of the members of the electric membership corporation.
(d) Any action required by this article to be taken at a meeting of members of an electric membership corporation, or any action which may be taken at a meeting of members, may be taken without a meeting if written consent setting forth the action so taken shall be signed by all the members. Such consent shall have the same force and effect as a unanimous vote of members and may be stated as such in any articles or document filed with the Secretary of State under this article, except that no consent shall be effective as approval of a plan of merger or plan of consolidation pursuant to Part 10 of this article unless:
(1) Prior to the execution of the consent, the members shall have been given:
(A) A copy of the plan of merger or consolidation or an outline of the material features of the plan; and
(B) A copy of the most recent annual balance sheet and an annual profit and loss statement, or comparable financial statements, of each of the merging or consolidating electric membership corporations or of the merging or consolidating electric membership corporation and foreign electric cooperative, as the case may be; or
(2) The written consent itself conspicuously and specifically states that waiver of the right to receive such information is expressly made.
(e) Unless otherwise provided in the articles of incorporation or bylaws of the electric membership corporation, meetings of the members shall be conducted in accordance with the latest edition of Robert's Rules of Order; provided, however, that failure to so conduct any meeting shall not render invalid any action taken at such meeting unless objection citing such failure is made at the time such action is taken.
(a) Written notice stating the place, day, and hour of the annual meeting of members and, in case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called shall be provided not less than five nor more than 90 days before the date of the meeting by any reasonable means, by or at the direction of the president, the secretary, or the officer or persons calling the meeting, to each member of record entitled to vote at such meeting. Reasonable means of providing such notice shall include, but not be limited to, United States mail, personal delivery, electric membership corporation newsletter, or member monthly service bill. If mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be delivered when deposited in the United States mail with adequate prepaid postage thereon, addressed to the member at his address as it appears on the record books at the electric membership corporation; provided, however, that if notice is mailed by other than first-class mail, it shall be deemed to be delivered five days from the date of mailing. Personal delivery may be either by personal delivery to the member or by leaving such notice in a conspicuous place at the member's address as it appears on the record books of the electric membership corporation or at the premises served.
(b) At an annual meeting of members, including any substitute annual meeting ordered in accordance with Code Section 46-3-262, any matter relating to the affairs of the electric membership corporation, whether or not stated in the notice of the meeting, may be brought up for action, except matters which this article, the bylaws, or articles of incorporation require to be stated in the notice of the meeting.
(c) When a meeting is adjourned to another time or place, it shall not be necessary, unless the bylaws require otherwise, to give any notice of the adjourned meeting if the time and place to which the meeting is adjourned are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken; and at the adjourned meeting, any business may be transacted that might have been transacted on the original date of the meeting. If, however, after the adjournment the board fixes a new record date for the adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given, in compliance with subsection (a) of this Code section, to each member of record on the new record date who is entitled to vote at such meeting.
(d) Notice of a meeting of members need not be given to any member who signs a waiver of notice, in person or by proxy, either before or after the meeting. Unless required by the bylaws, neither the business transacted nor the purpose of the meeting need be specified in the waiver, except that any waiver of the notice of a meeting of members required with respect to a plan of merger or a plan of consolidation shall not be effective unless:
(1) Prior to execution of the waiver, the member signing the waiver shall have been given:
(A) A copy of the plan of merger or consolidation or an outline of the material features of the plan; and
(B) A copy of the most recent annual balance sheet and annual profit and loss statement, or comparable financial statements, of each of the merging or consolidating electric membership corporations or of the merging or consolidating electric membership corporation and foreign electric cooperative, as the case may be; or
(2) The waiver itself conspicuously and specifically states that waiver of the right to receive such information is expressly made.
(e) Attendance of a member at a meeting, either in person or by proxy, shall of itself constitute waiver of notice and waiver of any and all objections to the place of the meeting, the time of the meeting, or the manner in which it has been called or convened, except when a member attends a meeting solely for the purpose of stating, at the beginning of the meeting, any such objection or objections to the transaction of business.
(a) For the purpose of determining members entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of members or any adjournment thereof, or in order to make a determination of members for any other proper purpose, the board of directors of an electric membership corporation may provide that the membership books shall be closed for a stated period not to exceed 90 days.
(b) In lieu of closing the membership books, the bylaws or (in the absence of any applicable bylaws) the board of directors may fix in advance a date as the record date for any such determination of members, such date in any case to be not more than 90 days prior to the date on which the particular action requiring such determination of members is to be taken.
(c) If the membership books are not closed and no record date is fixed for the determination of members entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of members, the date on which notice of the meeting is mailed to all of the members shall be the record date for such determination of membership or, if such notice is not mailed to all of the members on the same date, the date ten days prior to the meeting shall be the record date for such determination of membership.
(d) When the determination of members entitled to vote at any meeting of the members has been made as provided in this Code section, such determination shall apply to any adjournment thereof unless the board of directors fixes a new record date under this Code section for the adjourned meeting.
(a) Unless otherwise provided in the articles of incorporation or in bylaws adopted by the members, 10 percent of the members entitled to vote shall constitute a quorum at a meeting of members.
(b) If a quorum is present, the affirmative vote of a majority of the members represented at the meeting shall be the act of the membership unless the vote of a greater number is required by this article, the articles of incorporation, or the bylaws.
(c) When a quorum is once present to organize a meeting, the members present may continue to do business at the meeting, or at any adjournment thereof, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough members to leave less than a quorum.
(d) A majority of the members represented at a meeting, whether or not a quorum is present, may adjourn such meeting from time to time.
(a) A member shall be entitled to only one vote in the exercise of his rights as a member of an electric membership corporation.
(b) No member shall have the right to cumulate his votes by giving one candidate a vote or votes equal to his vote multiplied by the number of directors to be elected or by distributing such votes on the same principle among any number of such candidates.
(c) The chairman of the board, the president, any vice-president, the secretary, or the treasurer or other officer of a corporation, club, school, church, or unincorporated association which is a member of an electric membership corporation shall be deemed by the electric membership corporation to have authority to vote such membership and to execute proxies and written waivers and consents in relation thereto, unless before a vote is taken or a waiver or consent is acted upon it is made to appear by a certified copy of the bylaws or resolution of the board of directors, executive committee, or other governing body of the corporation, club, school, church, or unincorporated association holding such membership that such authority is vested in some other officer or person. In the absence of such certification, a person executing any such proxy, waiver, or consent or presenting himself at a meeting as one of such officers of such a member shall, for the purpose of this Code section, be deemed prima-facie to be duly elected, qualified, and acting as such officer and to be fully authorized to so act. In case of conflicting representation, such a member shall be deemed to be represented by its senior officer in the order first stated in this subsection.
(d) Unless it is made to appear otherwise by an affidavit, court order, or other document, or by the instrument creating the position, the following persons shall be deemed to be authorized to vote a membership or execute a proxy, waiver, or consent in relation thereto:
(1) The administrator or executor of an estate which is a member;
(2) A guardian of a member; or
(3) A trustee in whose name a membership is held.
(e) If more than one person holds a position described in paragraphs (1) through (3) of subsection (d) of this Code section with respect to the same membership or if a membership is held by two or more persons, whether as fiduciaries, joint tenants, tenants in common, tenants in partnership, or otherwise, then unless the instrument or order appointing them or creating the tenancy otherwise directs and a copy thereof is filed with the secretary of the electric membership corporation or unless the articles of incorporation or bylaws of the electric membership corporation otherwise provide, their acts with respect to voting shall have the following effect:
(1) If only one votes, his act binds all;
(2) If more than one vote, the act of the majority so voting binds all;
(3) If more than one vote and the vote is evenly split, each faction shall be entitled to vote the membership in question proportionally;
(f) The principles of subsection (e) of this Code section shall apply, insofar as possible, to the execution of proxies, waivers, consents, or objections and for the purpose of ascertaining the presence of a quorum.
(g) If there is reasonable doubt as to the person qualified to cast the vote of a member or to execute a proxy, waiver, or consent on behalf of a member, the electric membership corporation may deny the right of such member to vote or to execute a proxy, waiver, or consent until sufficient action has been taken by such member to eliminate the uncertainty.
(a) Whenever, with respect to any action to be taken by the members of an electric membership corporation, the articles of incorporation or bylaws require the vote or concurrence of a greater number of the members than required by this article with respect to such action, the provisions of the articles of incorporation or bylaws shall control.
(b) Any such provision in the articles of incorporation or bylaws may not itself be amended by a vote less than the vote prescribed in such provision.
(c) The authorization or taking of any action by vote or concurrence of the members may be rescinded or revoked by the same vote or concurrence as at the time of rescission or revocation would be required to authorize or take such action in the first instance, subject to the contract rights of other persons.
(a) To the extent, and only to the extent, authorized by the articles of incorporation or bylaws, a member may be represented at a meeting of the membership, vote thereat, and execute consents or waivers by one or more persons authorized by a written proxy executed by such member or by his attorney in fact. The exercise of such rights by a person pursuant to a written proxy shall be subject to such limitations and in accordance with such procedures as may be provided in the articles of incorporation or bylaws. The exercise of such rights shall, in any event, be subject to the following limitations and procedures:
(1) No proxy shall be valid after the expiration of 11 months from the date thereof unless otherwise provided in the proxy. Every proxy shall be revocable at the pleasure of the person executing it;
(2) No proxy shall be valid if the person granting it is no longer a member or his rights as a member have been lawfully suspended;
(3) Subject to the limitations of paragraphs (1) and (2) of this subsection, any proxy duly executed is not revoked and continues in full force and effect until an instrument revoking it or a duly executed proxy bearing a later date is received by the secretary of the electric membership corporation. A proxy is not revoked by the death or incapacity of the maker unless, before the vote is counted or the authority is exercised, written notice of such death or incapacity is received by the secretary of the electric membership corporation. Notwithstanding that a valid proxy is outstanding, the powers of the proxy holder are suspended if the maker is present at a meeting of the members and elects to vote in person;
(4) If the proxy for the same member confers authority upon two or more persons and does not otherwise provide, a majority of such persons present at the meeting, or if only one is present, then that one, may exercise all the powers conferred by the proxy; but if the proxy holders present at the meeting are divided as to the right and manner of voting in any particular case and there is no majority, the vote of the member granting the proxy shall be prorated;
(5) If the proxy expressly provides, any proxy holder may appoint in writing a substitute to act in his place;
(6) A member shall not sell his vote or issue a proxy to vote to any person for any sum of money or anything of value. Any proxy issued in exchange for money or anything of value shall be void.
(b) If proxy voting is authorized in the articles of incorporation or bylaws of the electric membership corporation, attendance at a members' meeting by a proxy holder authorized to vote for a member shall be deemed to be attendance by such member for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present and shall otherwise be considered personal attendance by such member.
No member of an electric membership corporation shall, by dissenting from any merger or consolidation to which the electric membership corporation of which he is a member is a party or otherwise, any sale of all or substantially all the assets of such electric membership corporation, or any amendment of such electric membership corporation's articles of incorporation, have the right to receive any consideration for his membership interest except as provided in the plan of merger or consolidation, the terms of sale, or the amendment of the articles of incorporation.
(a) The bylaws of an electric membership corporation may provide for the appointment of a credentials and elections committee composed of members who are not officers or directors of the electric membership corporation or candidates for such positions. This committee shall be responsible for the counting of all ballots or votes cast and for ruling on the effect of any ballots or votes irregularly marked or cast and on all other questions that may arise relating to member voting and the election of directors, including, but not limited to, the validity of petitions of nomination or qualification of candidates and the regularity of the nomination and election of directors. The procedures for the appointment and qualification of the members of such committee shall be as provided in the bylaws authorizing and establishing such committee. Any committee member related within the third degree by affinity or consanguinity, computed according to the civil law, to any candidate for director shall refrain from participating in any deliberation or vote of the committee concerning such candidate.
(b) On request of the person presiding at the meeting of the members or on the request of any member entitled to vote thereat, such committee shall make a report in writing of any challenge, question, count, or matter determined by the committee and shall execute a certificate of any fact found by them. Any such report or certificate made by them shall be prima-facie evidence of the facts stated and of the vote as certified by them.
(a) Each electric membership corporation shall keep correct and complete books and records of account, shall keep minutes of the proceedings of its members and board of directors, and shall keep at its registered office or principal place of business a record of its members, giving the names and addresses of all members and the number of members.
(b) Subject to the limitations set forth in this Code section and in other applicable laws, any person who is a member of the electric membership corporation in good standing shall, upon written demand stating the purpose thereof and the books and records sought to be examined, have the right to examine, in person or by agent or attorney, at any reasonable time or times, for any proper purpose, its books and records and, at his own expense, may make extracts therefrom. Any such inspection, however, may be denied or limited upon one or more of the following grounds:
(1) The member refuses to warrant and furnish to the electric membership corporation an affidavit that such inspection is desired for a purpose reasonably related to the business of the electric membership corporation;
(2) The inspection seeks information the release of which would unduly infringe upon or invade the privacy of any person;
(3) The inspection is sought for a dishonest purpose or to gratify mere curiosity, or is otherwise inimical to the lawful interest of the electric membership corporation or is not reasonably germane to the interest of the member as such;
(4) The books and records sought to be inspected deal with trade secrets or information which is privileged, confidential, or proprietary; or
(5) The member refuses to warrant and furnish an affidavit that he has not, within the five years preceding the date of the affidavit, sold or offered for sale and does not now intend to sell or offer to sell any list of members of the electric membership corporation or of any other electric membership corporation, or any list of shareholders of a corporation, and that he has not, within such five-year period, aided or abetted and does not now intend to aid or abet any other person in procuring any list of members or shareholders for such purpose.
(c) If the electric membership corporation or an officer or agent of the electric membership corporation refuses to permit the inspection authorized by subsection (b) of this Code section, the member demanding inspection may apply to the superior court of the county in which the electric membership corporation's registered office is located, upon such notice as the court may require, for an order directing the electric membership corporation or its officers or agents to show cause why an order should not be granted permitting such inspection by the applicant. The court shall hear the parties summarily, by affidavit or otherwise; and, if the applicant establishes that he is qualified and is entitled to such inspection, the court shall grant an order permitting such inspection, subject to any limitations which the court may prescribe, and shall grant such other relief, including costs and reasonable attorney's fees, as the court may deem just and proper. The court may deny or restrict inspection if it finds that the member has improperly used information secured through any prior examination of the books and records of account, or minutes or records of members of such electric membership corporation or of any other electric membership corporation, or that any other grounds, as set forth above, exist for denying or restricting such inspection.
(d) Not later than four months after the close of each fiscal year, and in any case prior to the annual meeting of members, each electric membership corporation shall prepare:
(1) A balance sheet or comparable financial statement showing in reasonable detail the financial condition of the electric membership corporation as of the close of its fiscal year; and
(2) A profit and loss statement or comparable financial statement showing the results of its operation during the fiscal year.
(e) Upon written request, an electric membership corporation promptly shall mail to any member of record a copy of the most recent such balance sheet and profit and loss statement or comparable statement.
(a) A derivative action may be brought by a member in the right of the electric membership corporation to procure a judgment in its favor against directors, officers, or other representatives of the electric membership corporation or members or third parties, or any combination thereof, whenever the electric membership corporation has a claim or cause of action which the representatives of the electric membership corporation, in violation of their duties, have failed to enforce, including a claim or cause of action against such representatives for their failure in this respect. However, a derivative action may not be brought until the expiration of 30 days after a member has delivered written demand upon the directors, officers, or other representatives of the electric membership corporation who are alleged to have failed to enforce such cause of action, setting forth the claim or cause of action which is sought to be enforced and the basis therefor.
(b) In a derivative action brought by one or more members in the right of an electric membership corporation to procure a judgment in favor of the electric membership corporation, the complaint shall be verified and shall allege that the plaintiff is a member at the time of bringing the action. It shall further allege that the plaintiff was a member at the time of the transaction of which he complained and that the demand required by subsection (a) of this Code section has been properly made.
(c) Such action shall not be discontinued, compromised, or settled without the approval of the court having jurisdiction of the action. If the court determines that the interest of the members will be substantially affected by such discontinuance, compromise, or settlement, the court shall direct that notice, by publication or otherwise, of the action and the proposed discontinuance, compromise, or settlement thereof be given to the members. If notice is directed to be given, the court may determine which one or more of the parties to the action shall bear the expense of giving the same in such amount as the court shall determine and find to be reasonable in the circumstances.
(d) If such action is successful in whole or in part or if anything is received by the plaintiff or plaintiffs as the result of the judgment, compromise, or settlement thereof, the court may award the plaintiff or plaintiffs reasonable expenses, including reasonable fees of attorneys, and shall direct him or them to account to the electric membership corporation for the remainder of the proceeds so received by him or them.
(e) In any such action instituted after July 1, 1981, the court having jurisdiction, upon final judgment and the finding that the action was brought without reasonable cause, may require the plaintiff or plaintiffs to pay the parties named as defendants the reasonable expenses, including fees of attorneys, incurred by them in defense of such action.
(a) Subject to the provisions of the articles of incorporation or the bylaws, the business and affairs of an electric membership corporation shall be managed by a board of directors.
(b) No limitation upon the authority which the directors would have in the absence of such limitation, whether contained in the articles of incorporation, bylaws, or otherwise, shall be effective against persons, other than members and directors, who are without actual knowledge of such limitation.
(c) Directors shall be natural persons of the age of 18 years or over. The articles of incorporation or bylaws may prescribe additional qualifications for directors.
(d) The compensation, if any, of directors for their services as such shall be on a per diem basis and, unless otherwise provided in the bylaws, shall be fixed by the board of directors. Directors also shall be entitled to reimbursement of expenses actually and necessarily incurred by them in the performance of their duties.
(a) The number of directors of an electric membership corporation shall not be less than three. Subject to such limitation, the number of directors shall be fixed by the bylaws or a procedure set forth in the bylaws, except that the number constituting the initial board of directors shall be fixed by the articles of incorporation.
(b) The number of directors may be increased or decreased from time to time by amendment to the bylaws or by other procedure set forth in the bylaws; but, unless otherwise provided in the bylaws, no decrease shall have the effect of shortening the term of any incumbent director. In the absence of a bylaw fixing the number of directors or establishing the number of directors by a procedure set forth in the bylaws, the number shall be the same as that stated in the articles of incorporation.
(c) The names and addresses of the members of the initial board of directors shall be stated in the articles of incorporation. Each such person shall hold office until his successor shall have been elected and qualified or until his earlier resignation, removal from office, or death.
(d) At the first annual meeting of members and at each annual meeting thereafter, the members shall elect directors to hold office until the next succeeding annual meeting, except in case of the classification of directors by staggered term as permitted by Code Section 46-3-293. Each director shall hold office for the term for which he is elected and until his successor shall have been elected and qualified or until his earlier resignation, removal from office, or death.
(a) If the directors of an electric membership corporation are deadlocked in the management of the corporate affairs and if injury to the electric membership corporation is being suffered or is threatened by reason thereof, the superior court of the county where the registered office of the electric membership corporation is located may appoint a provisional director pursuant to this Code section, notwithstanding any provisions of the articles of incorporation or bylaws of the electric membership corporation to the contrary and whether or not an action is pending for an involuntary dissolution of the electric membership corporation.
(b) Action for such appointment may be filed by one-half of the directors or by not less than 25 members, except that, if the electric membership corporation has less than 50 members, action for such appointment may be filed by not less than 25 percent of the members. Notice of such action shall be served upon the directors, other than those who have filed the action, and upon the electric membership corporation in the manner provided by law for service of a summons and complaint; and a hearing shall be held not less than ten days after such service is effected. At such hearing all interested persons shall be given an opportunity to be heard.
(c) The provisional director shall be an impartial person who is neither a member nor a creditor of the electric membership corporation nor related by consanguinity or affinity within the third degree, as computed according to the civil law, to any of the other directors of the electric membership corporation or to any judge of the court by which he is appointed. The provisional director shall have all the rights and powers of a director and shall be entitled to notice of the meetings of the board of directors and to vote at such meetings until he is removed by order of the court or by vote of a majority of the members present and voting at a meeting of members. The provisional director shall be entitled to receive such compensation as may be agreed upon between him and the electric membership corporation; and in the absence of such agreement he shall be entitled to such compensation as shall be fixed by the court.
(a) The articles of incorporation or a bylaw adopted by the members may provide that the directors be divided into either two or three classes, each class to be as nearly equal in number as possible, the term of office of directors of the first class to expire at the first annual meeting of members after their election, that of the second class to expire at the second annual meeting after their election, and that of the third class, if any, to expire at the third annual meeting after their election.
(b) At each annual meeting after such classification, the number of directors equal to the number of the class whose term expires at the time of such meeting shall be elected to hold office until the second succeeding annual meeting, if there are two classes, or until the third succeeding annual meeting, if there are three classes. No classification of directors shall be effective prior to the first annual meeting of members.
(c) If directors are classified and the number of directors is thereafter changed, any increase or decrease in the number of directors shall be so apportioned among the classes as to make all classes as nearly equal in number as possible. When the number of directors is increased and any newly created directorships are filled by the board, there shall be no classification of the additional directors until the next election of directors by the members.
(d) Electric membership corporations having a lawfully classified board of directors when this article goes into effect may continue their existing classification even though not conforming to this Code section.
(e) The articles of incorporation or the bylaws may provide for the division of the territory served or to be served by an electric membership corporation into two or more districts for any purpose, including, without limitation, the nomination and election of directors. The articles of incorporation or bylaws shall prescribe the boundaries of the districts, or the manner of establishing such boundaries of the districts, and the manner of changing such boundaries and the manner in which such districts shall function.
Unless the articles of incorporation or bylaws otherwise provide:
(1) Except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3) of this Code section, any vacancy occurring in the board of directors may be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors, though less than a quorum of the board of directors, or by the sole remaining director, as the case may be, or, if the vacancy is not so filled or if no director remains, by the members;
(2) If a vacancy occurs with respect to a director elected by members from a particular district pursuant to subsection (e) of Code Section 46-3-293, the vacancy may be filled by the remaining director or directors elected by the members from that district or, if no such director remains, by the other remaining directors or by the members in accordance with paragraph (1) of this Code section;
(3) Any directorship to be filled by reason of the removal of a director or directors, as provided in Code Section 46-3-295, shall be filled by the members or, if authorized by the members, by the remaining director or directors as provided in paragraph (1) of this Code section;
(4) A director elected or appointed to fill a vacancy shall be elected or appointed for the unexpired term of his predecessor in office. Any directorship to be filled by reason of an increase in the number of directors may be filled by the board of directors, but only for a term of office continuing until the next election of directors by the members and the election and qualification of his successor;
(5) A director who resigns may postpone the effectiveness of his resignation to a future date or upon the occurrence of a future event specified in a written tender of resignation. A vacancy shall be deemed to exist at the time of such tender; and the board of directors or the members may then or thereafter elect or appoint a successor to take office when the resignation, by its terms, becomes effective.
(a) Unless otherwise provided in the bylaws, at any meeting of members with respect to which notice of such purpose has been given, the entire board of directors or any individual director may be removed, with or without cause, by the affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the electric membership corporation.
(b) Whenever the members from a particular district are entitled to elect one or more directors pursuant to subsection (e) of Code Section 46-3-293, this Code section shall apply, in respect of the removal of the director or directors so elected, to the vote of the members from that district and not to the vote of the members as a whole.
(c) If any or all directors are removed, new directors may be elected at the same meeting.
(a) Unless the articles of incorporation or the bylaws provide that a different number shall constitute a quorum, a majority of the number of directors fixed by the bylaws or fixed by the procedure set forth in the bylaws, or, in the absence of such bylaw provisions, then a majority of the number stated in the articles of incorporation, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. In no case shall less than one-third of the total number of directors nor less than two directors constitute a quorum.
(b) The vote of a majority of the directors present and voting at the time of the vote, if a quorum is present at such time, shall be the act of the board of directors unless the vote of a greater number is required by the articles of incorporation or the bylaws.
(c) Unless the articles of incorporation or bylaws otherwise provide, members of the board of directors or any committee designated by such board may participate in a meeting of such board or committee by means of conference telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other. Participation in a meeting pursuant to this subsection shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.
(a) Unless prohibited by the articles of incorporation or the bylaws, the board of directors, by resolution adopted by a majority of the full board of directors, may designate from among its members an executive committee and one or more other committees, each consisting of two or more directors and each of which, to the extent provided in such resolution or in the articles of incorporation or the bylaws of the electric membership corporation, shall have and may exercise all the authority of the board of directors; but no such committee shall have the authority of the board of directors in reference to:
(1) Amending the articles of incorporation or the bylaws of the electric membership corporation;
(2) Adopting a plan of merger or consolidation;
(3) The sale, lease, exchange, or other disposition of all or substantially all the property and assets of the electric membership corporation; or
(4) A voluntary dissolution of the electric membership corporation or a revocation thereof.
(b) The board, by resolution adopted in accordance with subsection (a) of this Code section, may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any such committee, which directors may act in the place and stead of any absent member or members at any meeting of such committee.
(c) Unless otherwise provided in the articles of incorporation or the bylaws or unless ordered by the board of directors, any such committee shall act by a majority of its members.
(d) The designation of any such committee and the delegation thereto of authority shall not operate to relieve the board of directors or any member thereof of any responsibility imposed by law.
(e) Nothing in this Code section shall be construed to invalidate any executive committee or other committee validly created under the electric membership corporation law of this state existing on July 1, 1981.
(a) Unless the articles of incorporation or bylaws otherwise provide, meetings of the board of directors, whether regular or special, may be held either within or outside of this state. The time and place for holding meetings of the board of directors may be fixed by or under the bylaws or, if not so fixed, by the board.
(b) Regular meetings of the board of directors may be held with or without notice, as prescribed in the articles of incorporation or bylaws or in a standing resolution of the board of directors. Special meetings of the board of directors may be held upon such notice as is prescribed in the articles of incorporation or the bylaws. Unless otherwise prescribed in the articles of incorporation or bylaws, written notice of the time and place of special meetings of the board of directors shall be given to each director either by personal delivery or by mail, telegram, or cablegram at least two days before the meeting.
(c) Notice of a meeting of the board of directors need not be given to any director who signs a waiver of notice either before or after the meeting. Attendance of a director at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting and waiver of any and all objections to the place of the meeting, the time of the meeting, or the manner in which it has been called or convened, except when a director states, at the beginning of the meeting, any such objection or objections to the transaction of business.
(d) Neither the business to be transacted at nor the purpose of any regular or special meeting of the board of directors need be specified in the notice or waiver of notice of such meeting unless required by the articles of incorporation or bylaws.
(e) A majority of the directors present, whether or not a quorum exists, may adjourn any meeting of the board of directors to another time and place. Unless the articles of incorporation or bylaws otherwise provide, notice of any such adjourned meeting shall be given to the directors who were not present at the time of the adjournment and, unless the time and place of the adjourned meeting are announced at the time of the adjournment, to the other directors.
(f) Meetings of the board of directors may be called by the chairman of the board, by the president, by 25 percent of the directors then in office, or by any other person or persons authorized by the articles of incorporation or bylaws.
Unless otherwise provided by the articles of incorporation or bylaws, any action required by this article to be taken at a meeting of the directors of an electric membership corporation or any action which may be taken at a meeting of the directors or of a committee may be taken without a meeting if written consent setting forth the action so taken is signed by all the directors or by all of the members of the committee, as the case may be, and is filed with the minutes of the proceedings of the board or the committee. Such consent shall have the same force and effect as a unanimous vote and may be stated as such in any articles or document filed with the Secretary of State under this article.
A director of an electric membership corporation who is present at a meeting of the electric membership corporation's board of directors at which action on any corporate matter is taken shall be presumed to have assented to the action unless:
(1) He votes against such action if a vote is taken; and
(2) His dissent is entered in the minutes of the meeting, or he files his written dissent to such action with the person acting as secretary of the meeting before the adjournment thereof, or he forwards such dissent by registered or certified mail or statutory overnight delivery to the secretary of the electric membership corporation within 48 hours after the adjournment of the meeting.
(a) The board of directors shall elect or appoint a president, a secretary, and a treasurer. Other officers may be elected or appointed either by the board or as may be provided in the articles of incorporation or bylaws. Any two or more offices may be held by the same person, except the offices of president and secretary.
(b) The articles of incorporation or bylaws may provide that all officers or specified officers shall be elected by the members instead of by the board.
(c) Unless otherwise provided in the articles of incorporation, bylaws, or resolution of the board, all officers shall be elected or appointed for a term of office running until the meeting of the board following the next annual meeting of members or, in the case of officers elected by the members, until the next annual meeting of members.
(d) Each officer shall hold office for the term for which he is elected or appointed and until his successor has been elected or appointed and has qualified, or until his earlier resignation, removal from office, or death.
(e) All officers and agents of an electric membership corporation, as between themselves and the electric membership corporation, shall have such authority and perform such duties in the management of the electric membership corporation as may be provided in the articles of incorporation or bylaws or as may be determined by action of the board not inconsistent with the articles of incorporation and bylaws.
(f) When the directors are deadlocked, the president shall have authority to institute or defend legal proceedings other than an action seeking appointment of a provisional director.
(g) No electric membership corporation shall be relieved of its liability to any third person for the acts of its officers by reason of any limitations upon the power of the officer which are not known to such third person, whether such limitations are contained in the articles of incorporation, the bylaws, or elsewhere.
(a) Any officer or agent elected or appointed by the board of directors may be removed by the board whenever in its judgment the best interests of the electric membership corporation will be served thereby.
(b) An officer or agent elected by the members may be removed only by vote of the members unless the members shall have authorized the board to remove such officer or agent; but the authority of such officer or agent to act for the electric membership corporation may be suspended by the board for cause.
(c) Any officer or agent appointed otherwise than by the board of directors or by the members may be removed with or without cause at any time by any officer having authority to appoint, except as may be otherwise provided in the articles of incorporation or bylaws, whenever such officer in his absolute discretion shall consider that the best interests of the electric membership corporation will be served thereby.
(d) Removal as provided in this Code section shall be without prejudice to the contract rights, if any, of the person removed. Election or appointment of an officer or agent shall not of itself create contract rights.
(e) Any vacancy, however occurring, in any office may be filled by the board of directors unless the articles of incorporation or bylaws shall have expressly reserved such power to the members.
(a) A director shall perform his or her duties as a director in good faith and with the degree of care an ordinarily prudent person in a like position would exercise under similar circumstances.
(b) In performing his or her duties a director may rely upon:
(1) Officers, employees, or agents of the electric membership corporation whom the director reasonably believed to be reliable and competent in the functions performed; and
(2) Information, data, opinions, reports, or statements provided by officers, employees, or agents of the electric membership corporation or by legal counsel, public accountants, investment bankers, or other persons as to matters involving the skills, expertise, or knowledge reasonably believed to be reliable and within such person's professional or expert competence.
(c) There shall be a presumption that the process a director followed in arriving at decisions was done in good faith and that such director exercised ordinary care; provided, however, that this presumption may be rebutted by evidence that such process constitutes gross negligence by being a gross deviation from the standard of care of a director in a like position under similar circumstances.
(d) Nothing contained in this Code section shall:
(1) In any instance when fairness is at issue, such as consideration of the fairness of a transaction to the electric membership corporation as evaluated under paragraph (3) of subsection (a) of Code Section 46-3-305, alter the burden of proving the fact or lack of fairness otherwise applicable;
(2) Alter the fact or lack of liability of a director under the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, including the governance of the consequences of a conflicting interest transaction under Code Section 46-3-305;
(3) Affect any rights to which the electric membership corporation or its members may be entitled under another law of this state or of the United States; or
(4) Deprive a director of the applicability, effect, or protection of the business judgment rule.
(a) An officer shall perform his or her duties as an officer in good faith and with the degree of care an ordinarily prudent person in a like position would exercise under similar circumstances.
(b) In performing his or her duties, an officer may rely upon:
(1) Officers, employees, or agents of the electric membership corporation whom the officer reasonably believed to be reliable and competent in the functions performed; and
(2) Information, data, opinions, reports, or statements provided by officers, employees, or agents of the electric membership corporation or by legal counsel, public accountants, investment bankers, or other persons as to matters involving the skills, expertise, or knowledge reasonably believed to be reliable and within such person's professional or expert competence.
(c) There shall be a presumption that the process an officer followed in arriving at decisions was done in good faith and that such officer exercised ordinary care; provided, however, that this presumption may be rebutted by evidence that such process constitutes gross negligence by being a gross deviation from the standard of care of an officer in a like position under similar circumstances.
(d) Nothing contained in this Code section shall:
(1) In any instance when fairness is at issue, such as consideration of the fairness of a transaction to the electric membership corporation as evaluated under paragraph (3) of subsection (a) of Code Section 46-3-305, alter the burden of proving the fact or lack of fairness otherwise applicable;
(2) Alter the fact or lack of liability of an officer under the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, including the governance of the consequences of a conflicting interest transaction under Code Section 46-3-305;
(3) Affect any rights to which the electric membership corporation or its members may be entitled under another law of this state or of the United States; or
(4) Deprive an officer of the applicability, effect, or protection of the business judgment rule.
(a) An action may be brought by any of the persons named in subsection (b) of this Code section against one or more directors or officers of an electric membership corporation to procure for the benefit of the electric membership corporation a judgment for the following relief:
(1) To compel the defendant to account for his official conduct, or any other relief called for by his official conduct, in the following cases:
(A) The neglect of, failure to perform, or other violation of his duties to the electric membership corporation, or violations of his duties in regard to disposition of corporate assets committed to his charge;
(B) The acquisition by him, transfer to others, loss, or waste of corporate assets due to any neglect of, failure to perform, or other violation of his duties; or
(C) The appropriation, in violation of his duties, of any business opportunity of the electric membership corporation;
(2) To enjoin a proposed unlawful conveyance, assignment, or transfer of corporate assets or other unlawful corporate transaction, where there is sufficient evidence that it will be made;
(3) To set aside an unlawful conveyance, assignment, or transfer of corporate assets, where the transferee knew of its unlawfulness and is made a party to the action.
(b) An action may be brought for the relief provided in this Code section by the electric membership corporation, or a receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, officer, director, or judgment creditor thereof, or by a member in accordance with Code Section 46-3-272, relating to derivative actions.
(c) No action shall be brought for the relief provided in this Code section more than four years from the time the cause of action accrued.
(d) This Code section shall not limit any liability otherwise imposed by law upon any director or officer or any third party.
(a) No contract or transaction between an electric membership corporation and one or more of its directors or officers, or between an electric membership corporation and any other corporation, partnership, association, or other organization in which one or more of its directors or officers are directors or officers or have a financial interest, shall give rise to an award of damages or other sanctions or be void or voidable solely for this reason, or solely because the director or officer is present at or participates in the meeting of the board of directors or committee thereof which authorizes the contract or transaction, or solely because any of their votes are counted for such purpose, if:
(1) The material facts as to his or her interest and as to the contract or transaction are disclosed or are known to the board of directors or the committee, and the board or committee in good faith authorizes the contract or transaction by the affirmative votes of a majority of the disinterested directors, even though the disinterested directors are less than a quorum; or
(2) The material facts as to his or her interest and as to the contract or transaction are disclosed or are known to the members, and the contract or transaction is specifically approved or ratified in good faith by vote of such members; or
(3) The contract or transaction is fair as to the electric membership corporation as of the time it is authorized, approved, or ratified by the board, a committee thereof, or the members.
(b) Interested directors may be counted in determining the presence of a quorum at a meeting of the board or committee thereof which authorizes the contract or transaction.
(a) As used in this Code section, the term “the electric membership corporation” shall include, in addition to the surviving or new electric membership corporation, any merging or consolidating electric membership corporation, including any merging or consolidating electric membership corporation of a merging or consolidating electric membership corporation, absorbed in a merger or consolidation so that any person who is or was a director, officer, employee, or agent of such merging or consolidating electric membership corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such merging or consolidating electric membership corporation as a director, officer, employee, or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise, shall stand in the same position under this Code section with respect to the resulting or surviving electric membership corporation as he would if he had served the resulting or surviving electric membership corporation in the same capacity, provided that no indemnification under subsections (b) and (c) of this Code section which are permitted by this subsection shall be mandatory under this subsection or any bylaw of the surviving or new electric membership corporation without the approval of such indemnification by the board of directors or members of the surviving or new electric membership corporation, in the manner provided in paragraphs (1) and (3) of subsection (e) of this Code section.
(b) An electric membership corporation shall have power to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending, or completed action or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the electric membership corporation), by reason of the fact that he is or was a director, officer, employee, or agent of the electric membership corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the electric membership corporation as a director, officer, employee, or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise, against expenses, including attorney’s fees, judgments, fines, and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with such action or proceeding if he acted in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the electric membership corporation and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, or conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not of itself create a presumption that the person did not act in a manner which he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the electric membership corporation and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful.
(c) An electric membership corporation shall have the power to indemnify any person who was or is a party or who is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending, or completed action or suit by, or in the right of, the electric membership corporation to procure a judgment in its favor, by reason of the fact he is or was a director, officer, employee, or agent of the electric membership corporation or is or was serving at the request of the electric membership corporation as a director, employee, or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise, against expenses, including attorney's fees, actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit, if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the electric membership corporation; except that no indemnification shall be made in respect to any claim, issue, or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the electric membership corporation, unless and only to the extent that the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the court shall deem proper.
(d) To the extent that a director, officer, employee, or agent of an electric membership corporation has been successful, on the merits or otherwise, in defense of any action, suit, or proceeding referred to in subsections (b) and (c) of this Code section or in defense of any claim, issue, or matter therein, he shall be indemnified against expenses, including attorney's fees, actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection therewith.
(e) Any indemnification under subsections (b) and (c) of this Code section, unless ordered by a court, shall be made by the electric membership corporation only as authorized in the specific case, upon a determination that indemnification of the director, officer, employee, or agent is proper in the circumstances because he has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in subsections (b) and (c) of this Code section. Such determination shall be made:
(1) By the board of directors by a majority vote of a quorum consisting of directors who were not parties to such action, suit, or proceeding;
(2) If such a quorum is not obtainable or, even if obtainable, if a quorum of disinterested directors so directs, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion; or
(3) By the affirmative vote of the members present and voting at the meeting at which such determination is made.
(f) Expenses incurred in defending a civil or criminal action, suit, or proceeding may be paid by the electric membership corporation in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit, or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the director, officer, employee, or agent to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that he is not entitled to be indemnified by the electric membership corporation as authorized in this Code section.
(g) The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by or granted pursuant to this Code section shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights, in respect to indemnification or otherwise, to which those seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under any bylaw, resolution, or agreement, either specifically or in general terms approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of the members entitled to vote thereon, taken at a meeting, the notice of which specified that such bylaw, resolution, or agreement would be placed before the members, both as to action by a director, officer, employee, or agent in his official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office or position, except that no such other rights, in respect to indemnification or otherwise, may be provided or granted to a director, officer, employee, or agent pursuant to this subsection by an electric membership corporation with respect to the liabilities described in divisions (b)(3)(A)(i) through (b)(3)(A)(iii) of Code Section 46-3-321.
(h) An electric membership corporation shall have the power to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee, or agent of the electric membership corporation or who is or was serving at the request of the electric membership corporation as a director, officer, employee, or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise, against any liability asserted against him and incurred by him in any such capacity, or arising out of his status as such, whether or not the electric membership corporation would have the power to indemnify him against such liability under this Code section.
(i) If any expenses or other amounts are paid by way of indemnification, otherwise than by court order or action by the members or by an insurance carrier pursuant to insurance maintained by the electric membership corporation, the electric membership corporation, not later than the next annual meeting of members, unless such meeting is held within three months from the date of such payment, and in any event, within 15 months from the date of such payment, shall send to its members who are entitled to vote for the election of directors a statement specifying the persons paid, the amounts paid, and the nature and status at the time of such payment of the litigation or threatened litigation. Such statement shall be provided to the members in the manner provided in subsection (a) of Code Section 46-3-263 for giving notice of members' meetings.
(j) The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by or granted pursuant to this Code section shall, unless otherwise provided when authorized or ratified, continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee, or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors, and administrators of such a person.
One or more persons may act as incorporator or incorporators of an electric membership corporation to be formed under this article. Any natural person acting as incorporator shall be at least 18 years of age.
(a) The articles of incorporation shall be signed by the incorporator or incorporators or his or their attorney and shall set forth:
(1) The name of the electric membership corporation;
(2) That the electric membership corporation is organized pursuant to this article;
(3) The period of duration, which shall be perpetual unless otherwise limited;
(4) The purpose or purposes for which the electric membership corporation is organized;
(5) The address of its initial registered office and the name of its initial registered agent at such address;
(6) The number of directors constituting the initial board of directors and the name and address of each person who is to serve as a member thereof; and
(7) The name and address of each incorporator.
(b) The articles of incorporation may, as a matter of election, also set forth:
(1) Any provision, not inconsistent with law, for the regulation of the internal affairs of the electric membership corporation;
(2) Any provision which under this chapter is required or permitted to be set forth in the bylaws; any such provision set forth in the articles of incorporation need not be set forth in the bylaws; and
(3)(A) A provision eliminating or limiting the personal liability of a director to the electric membership corporation or its members for monetary damages for breach of duty of care or other duty as a director, provided that such provision shall not eliminate or limit the liability of a director:
(i) For any appropriation, in violation of his duties, of any business opportunity of the electric membership corporation;
(ii) For acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law; or
(iii) For any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.
(B) No such provision shall eliminate or limit the liability of a director for any act or omission occurring prior to the date when such provision becomes effective.
(a) The incorporator or incorporators or his or their representative shall obtain from the Secretary of State a certificate which states that the name of the proposed electric membership corporation is available in accordance with Code Section 46-3-220. Such certificate shall be issued upon application to reserve the use of the proposed corporate name as provided in Code Section 46-3-221 and shall be valid for the period provided in Code Section 46-3-221, including any extension of such period granted by the Secretary of State. Upon the expiration of such period or any extension thereof, the certificate shall become void unless the electric membership corporation shall have come into existence within such time.
(b) The incorporator or incorporators or his or their representative shall deliver the original articles of incorporation and two conformed copies of the articles to the Secretary of State for filing as provided in subsection (a) of Code Section 46-3-174.
(c) Together with the articles of incorporation, the incorporator or incorporators or his or their representative shall deliver to the Secretary of State:
(1) A certificate issued by the Secretary of State reserving the name of the proposed electric membership corporation, as provided in subsection (a) of this Code section;
(2) Payment to the Secretary of State of the fee provided for in Code Section 46-3-501;
(3) A check, draft, or money order in the amount of $ 16.00, payable to the clerk of the superior court of the county where the initial registered office of the electric membership corporation is to be located, in payment of the cost of filing the articles of incorporation in that county and in payment of the fee required in civil actions and proceedings as required by Code Sections 15-6-77 and 47-14-51;
(4) A letter addressed to the publisher of a newspaper which is the official organ of the county where the initial registered office of the electric membership corporation is to be located or which is a newspaper of general circulation published within that county whose most recently published annual statement of ownership and circulation reflects a minimum of 60 percent paid circulation. This letter shall contain a notice to be published four times in the newspaper and shall be in substantially the following form:
(name and address of the newspaper designated by the incorporator or incorporators or his or their representative)
Dear Sirs:
You are requested to publish, four times, a notice in the following form:
“_____ (name of electric membership corporation) has been duly incorporated on _____ (month, day, and year to be inserted by the Secretary of State), by the issuance of a certificate of incorporation by the Secretary of State in accordance with the applicable provisions of Article 4 of Chapter 3 of Title 46, the ‘Georgia Electric Membership Corporation Act.’ The initial registered office of the electric membership corporation is located at _____ (address of registered office) and its initial registered agent at such address is _____ (name of agent).”
Enclosed is a (check, draft, or money order) in the amount of $ 60.00 in payment of the costs of publishing this notice.
| Very truly yours, | | --- | | (Name and address of incorporator or | | incorporators or his or their representative) |
(5) A check, draft, or money order in the amount of $ 60.00, payable to the designated newspaper; and
(6) A consent to appointment as registered agent, as provided for in subsection (c) of Code Section 46-3-240.
(d) Upon delivery of the articles of incorporation to the Secretary of State, the Secretary of State shall affix thereon the hour, day, month, and year of delivery. Not later than the close of business on the first business day following the day of delivery, the Secretary of State shall either issue a certificate of incorporation in the manner provided in this Code section or shall reject the articles in the manner provided in this Code section.
(e) If the Secretary of State finds that the articles of incorporation appear to be in proper form for filing and are accompanied by the other items required by subsection (c) of this Code section, he shall, in addition to the requirements of subsection (a) of Code Section 46-3-174:
(1) Issue a certificate of incorporation in substantially the following form and attach it to one conformed copy of the articles of incorporation:
State of Georgia
Office of the Secretary of State
Ex Officio Corporation Commissioner
This is to certify that _____ (the name of the electric membership corporation) has been duly incorporated under the laws of the State of Georgia on the _____ day of _____, _____ (insert date articles of incorporation are delivered for filing), by the filing of articles of incorporation in the office of the Secretary of State and the fees therefor paid, as provided by law, and that attached hereto is a true copy of the said articles of incorporation.
Witness my hand and official seal, this _____ day of _____, _____.
| _________________________ | | --- | | Secretary of State | | Ex Officio Corporation | | Commissioner of the | | State of Georgia |
(2) Return the certificate of incorporation with the conformed copy of the articles of incorporation attached thereto to the incorporator or incorporators or his or their representative. A copy of the certificate of incorporation shall be attached to the original articles of incorporation;
(3) Forward a conformed copy of the articles of incorporation with a copy of the certificate of incorporation attached thereto, along with the check, draft, or money order provided for in paragraph (3) of subsection (c) of this Code section, to the clerk of the superior court in the county where the initial registered office of the electric membership corporation is located, within four business days after the articles of incorporation have been delivered to the Secretary of State for filing;
(4) Mail the letter and the check, draft, or money order provided for in paragraphs (4) and (5) of subsection (c) of this Code section, with the date of incorporation inserted in the notice, to the designated newspaper within four business days after the articles of incorporation have been delivered to the Secretary of State for filing.
(f) If the Secretary of State finds that the articles of incorporation do not appear to be in proper form for filing or are not accompanied by the other items required by subsection (c) of this Code section, he shall reject the articles for filing and shall immediately notify the incorporator or incorporators or his or their representative of such rejection by mailing a notice no later than the close of business on the first business day following the day of delivery of the articles of incorporation for filing. The notice shall specify the reason or reasons for rejection of the articles of incorporation; and the articles and all accompanying materials shall be returned therewith.
(g) The conformed copy of the articles of incorporation, with a copy of the certificate of incorporation attached thereto, provided for in paragraph (3) of subsection (e) of this Code section shall be filed upon receipt by the clerk of the superior court of the county where the initial registered office of the electric membership corporation is to be located. Failure on the part of the Secretary of State to mail the conformed copy of the articles of incorporation or failure on the part of the clerk of the superior court to comply with this subsection shall not invalidate the issuance of the certificate of incorporation by the Secretary of State.
(h) The notice provided for in paragraph (4) of subsection (c) of this Code section shall be published within ten days after receipt of the notice by the newspaper. Failure on the part of the Secretary of State to mail the notice or failure on the part of the newspaper to comply with this subsection shall not invalidate the issuance of the certificate of incorporation by the Secretary of State.
(i) If the Secretary of State issues a certificate of incorporation, the corporate existence of the electric membership corporation shall begin as of the time of delivery to the Secretary of State of the articles of incorporation so certified.
The certificate of incorporation issued by the Secretary of State shall be conclusive evidence that the electric membership corporation has been incorporated under this article, except as against this state in a proceeding to cancel or revoke the certificate of incorporation or for involuntary dissolution of the electric membership corporation.
After the corporate existence has begun, an organization meeting of the board of directors named in the articles of incorporation shall be held, either within or outside of this state, at the call of any incorporator, for the purpose of adopting bylaws, electing officers, and transacting such other business as properly may come before the meeting. The incorporator or incorporators calling the meeting shall give at least three days' notice thereof by mail to each director so named, which notice shall state the time and place of the meeting.
(a) The initial bylaws of an electric membership corporation shall be adopted by its board of directors.
(b) The board of directors shall not have power to alter, amend, or repeal the bylaws or adopt new bylaws directly relating to the election of the board of directors. The board of directors shall otherwise have power to alter, amend, or repeal the bylaws or adopt new bylaws unless such power is reserved exclusively to the members by the articles of incorporation or in bylaws previously adopted by the members; but any bylaws adopted by the board of directors may be altered, amended, or repealed and new bylaws adopted by the members. The members may prescribe that any bylaw or bylaws adopted by them shall not be altered, amended, or repealed by the board of directors.
(c) The bylaws may contain any provisions for the regulation and management of the affairs of the electric membership corporation not inconsistent with law or the articles of incorporation.
(a) The board of directors may adopt emergency bylaws, subject to repeal or change by action of the members, which, notwithstanding any other provision to the contrary in this article or in the articles of incorporation or bylaws, shall be operative during any emergency in the conduct of the business of the electric membership corporation resulting from an attack on the United States or on a locality in which the electric membership corporation conducts its business or customarily holds meetings of its board of directors or its members, or during any nuclear or atomic disaster, or during the existence of any catastrophe or other similar emergency condition, as a result of which a quorum of the board of directors or a standing committee thereof cannot readily be convened for action. The emergency bylaws may make any provision that may be practical and necessary for the circumstances of the emergency, including, without limitation, provisions that:
(1) A meeting of the board of directors may be called by any officer or director in such manner and under such conditions as shall be prescribed in the emergency bylaws;
(2) The director or directors in attendance at the meeting, or any greater number fixed by the emergency bylaws, shall constitute a quorum;
(3) The officers or other persons designated on a list approved by the board of directors before the emergency, all in such order or priority and subject to such conditions and for such period of time (not longer than reasonably necessary after the termination of the emergency) as may be provided in the emergency bylaws or in the resolution approving the list, shall, to the extent required to provide a quorum at any meeting of the board of directors, be deemed directors for such meeting;
(4) Any officer of the electric membership corporation shall have such emergency powers as may be prescribed in the emergency bylaws; and
(5) The board of directors may delegate any of its powers to any officer or director.
(b) The board of directors, either before or during any such emergency, may provide and from time to time may modify lines of succession in the event that during such an emergency any or all officers or agents of the electric membership corporation shall for any reason be rendered incapable of discharging their duties.
(c) The board of directors, either before or during any such emergency, may, effective during the emergency, change the head office or designate several alternative head offices or regional offices or authorize the officers so to do.
(d) To the extent not inconsistent with any emergency bylaws so adopted, the bylaws of the electric membership corporation shall remain in effect during any such emergency; and upon the termination of the emergency, the emergency bylaws shall cease to be operative.
(e) Unless otherwise provided in the emergency bylaws, notice of any meeting of the board of directors during any such emergency may be given only to such of the directors as it may be feasible to reach at the time and by such means as may be feasible at the time, including publication, radio, or television.
(f) To the extent required to constitute a quorum at any meeting of the board of directors during any such emergency, the officers of the electric membership corporation who are present, unless otherwise provided in the emergency bylaws, shall be deemed, in order of rank and within the same rank in order of seniority, directors for such meeting.
(g) No officer, director, agent, or employee acting in accordance with any emergency bylaws shall be liable except for willful misconduct. No officer, director, agent, or employee shall be liable for any action taken by him in good faith in such an emergency in furtherance of the ordinary business affairs of the electric membership corporation, even though such action is not authorized by the bylaws then in effect.
(h) If emergency bylaws have not been adopted by an electric membership corporation, action by members, directors, officers, agents, or employees during any emergency described in subsection (a) of this Code section shall be valid if it is substantially in compliance with this Code section or if it is otherwise practical and necessary for the emergency operation and management of the business.
(a) Each electric membership corporation shall be operated without profit to its members; but the rates, fees, rents, or other charges for electric energy and any other facilities, supplies, equipment, or services furnished by the electric membership corporation shall be sufficient at all times:
(1) To cover all administrative and operating expenses and the costs of purchased capacity and energy as necessary or desirable for the prudent conduct of its business, and to cover the payments of the principal of and interest on the obligations issued or assumed by the electric membership corporation in the performance of the purposes for which it was organized; and
(2) To establish and maintain reasonable reserves.
(b) An electric membership corporation may also accumulate funds for future capital needs and for the purpose of establishing and maintaining a reasonable capital structure.
(c) The bylaws of an electric membership corporation shall contain provisions, consistent with subsection (a) of this Code section, for accounting for, allocating, assigning and disposing of its revenues and assets and may establish classes of members for such purposes.
(a) Unless the bylaws otherwise provide, upon the death of a member or former member who is a natural person, the board of directors shall have authority, but shall not be required, to pay revenues allocated but not previously paid to that member or former member.
(b) If the member or former member dies testate, such payments shall be made to the person who is the executor of the estate of the decedent at the time of the payment.
(c) If the member or former member dies intestate and the electric membership corporation is provided a copy of letters of administration for the estate of the decedent, such payments shall be made to the administrator of the estate named therein.
(d) If the member or former member dies intestate and the electric membership corporation is not provided a copy of letters of administration of the estate of the deceased and such payment is $2,500.00 or less, such payment shall be made to the persons listed below and according to the priority indicated:
(1) To the surviving spouse of the decedent;
(2) If no surviving spouse, then to the surviving children of the decedent, pro rata;
(3) If no surviving children, then to the surviving mother and father of the decedent, pro rata;
(4) If no surviving parent, then to the surviving brothers and sisters of the decedent, pro rata.
(e) If the member or former member dies intestate and the electric membership corporation is not provided a copy of the letters of administration and such payment is greater than $2,500.00, such payment shall be made to the person entitled thereto under the laws of descent and distribution of this state.
(f) Payment to the persons listed in subsections (b) through (e) of this Code section shall operate as a complete acquittal and discharge to the electric membership corporation from any action, claim, or demand of whatever nature for the amount so paid by any heir, distributee, or creditor of the decedent or any other person. Payment to such persons is authorized to be made as provided in subsections (d) and (e) of this Code section without the administration of the estate of the decedent and without the necessity of obtaining an order that no administration is necessary.
An electric membership corporation may amend its articles of incorporation from time to time in any and in as many respects as may be desired, so long as the amendment contains only such provisions as might lawfully be contained in original articles of incorporation at the time of making such amendment.
(a) Before the electric membership corporation has any members, amendments to the articles of incorporation may be made:
(1) Before the organization meeting of the directors, by the incorporator or, if there is more than one incorporator, then by two-thirds of the incorporators; and
(2) At or after the organization meeting of the directors named in the articles of incorporation, by two-thirds of the directors.
(b) After the electric membership corporation has members, amendments to the articles of incorporation shall be made in the following manner:
(1) The board of directors shall adopt a resolution setting forth the proposed amendment and directing that it be submitted to a vote at a meeting of members, which may be either an annual or a special meeting;
(2) Written notice setting forth the proposed amendment or a summary of the changes to be effected thereby shall be given to each member of record entitled to vote thereon within the time and in the manner provided in Code Section 46-3-263 for the giving of notice of meetings of members. If the meeting is an annual meeting, the proposed amendment or such summary may be included in the notice of such annual meeting;
(3) At such meeting a vote of the members shall be taken on the proposed amendment. The proposed amendment shall be adopted upon receiving the affirmative vote of a majority of the members present and voting at a meeting at which a quorum is present.
(c) Any number of amendments may be submitted to the members and may be voted upon by them at one meeting.
(a) The articles of amendment, other than an amendment under subsection (b) of this Code section, shall be executed by the electric membership corporation as provided in Code Section 46-3-173 and shall set forth:
(1) The name of the electric membership corporation;
(2) The amendment so adopted;
(3) The date of the adoption of the amendment by the members; and
(4) The member vote required to adopt the amendment, the number of members entitled to vote, and the number of members who voted for the amendment.
(b) If the amendment is made by the incorporator or incorporators or directors before the electric membership corporation has any members, the articles of amendment shall be executed by the incorporator or incorporators or directors, as the case may be, and shall set forth:
(1) The name of the electric membership corporation;
(2) The amendment so adopted and the date of adoption; and
(3) A statement that the amendment is made by the incorporator or incorporators or directors before the electric membership corporation has any members.
(a) If the purpose or one of the purposes of the articles of amendment is to change the corporate name, the electric membership corporation shall cause to be obtained from the Secretary of State a certificate which states that the proposed name is available in accordance with Code Section 46-3-220. Such certificate shall be issued upon application to reserve the use of the proposed name as provided in Code Section 46-3-221 and shall be valid for the period provided in that Code section, including any extension of such period granted by the Secretary of State. Upon the expiration of such period or any extension thereof, the certificate shall become void unless the amendment changing the corporate name shall have become effective within such time.
(b) The electric membership corporation shall cause the original articles of amendment and two conformed copies of the articles to be delivered to the Secretary of State for filing as provided in subsection (a) of Code Section 46-3-174.
(c) Together with the articles of amendment, the electric membership corporation shall cause to be delivered to the Secretary of State:
(1) If subsection (a) of this Code section is applicable, the certificate issued by the Secretary of State reserving the proposed corporate name;
(2) Payment to the Secretary of State of the fee provided for in Code Section 46-3-501;
(3) A check, draft, or money order in the amount of $16.00, payable to the clerk of the superior court of the county where the registered office of the electric membership corporation is located on the day of delivery of the articles of amendment to the Secretary of State, in payment of the cost of filing the articles of amendment in said county;
(4) A letter addressed to the publisher of a newspaper which is the official organ of the county where the registered office of the electric membership corporation is located or which is a newspaper of general circulation published within that county whose most recently published annual statement of ownership and circulation reflects a minimum of 60 percent paid circulation. This letter shall contain a notice to be published four times in the newspaper and shall be in substantially the following form:
(Name and address of the newspaper designated by the electric membership corporation)
Dear Sirs:
You are requested to publish, four times, a notice in the following form:
“The Articles of Incorporation of _____ (name of electric membership corporation) have been duly amended on _____, _____ (month, day, and year to be inserted by the Secretary of State), by the issuance of a certificate of amendment by the Secretary of State, in accordance with the applicable provisions of Article 4 of Chapter 3 of Title 46, the “Georgia Electric Membership Corporation Act.” ”
Enclosed is a (check, draft, or money order) in the amount of $60.00 in payment of the cost of publishing this notice.
| Very truly yours, | | --- | | (Name and address of the electric | | membership corporation or its | | representative) |
(5) A check, draft, or money order in the amount of $60.00 payable to the designated newspaper.
(d) Upon delivery of the articles of amendment to the Secretary of State, the Secretary of State shall affix thereon the hour, day, month, and year of delivery. Not later than the close of business on the first business day following the day of delivery, the Secretary of State shall either issue a certificate of amendment in the manner provided in this Code section or reject the articles in the manner provided in this Code section.
(e) If the Secretary of State finds that the articles of amendment appear to be in proper form for filing and are accompanied by the other items required by subsection (c) of this Code section, he shall, in addition to the requirements of subsection (a) of Code Section 46-3-174:
(1) Issue a certificate of amendment which shall state that the articles of incorporation have been duly amended by the filing of articles of amendment in the office of the Secretary of State and the fees paid therefor, as provided by law, and attach the certificate to one conformed copy of the articles of amendment;
(2) Return the certificate of amendment with the conformed copy of the articles of amendment attached thereto to the electric membership corporation or its representative. A copy of the certificate of amendment shall be attached to the original articles of amendment;
(3) Forward a conformed copy of the articles of amendment with a copy of the certificate of amendment attached thereto, along with the check, draft, or money order provided for in paragraph (3) of subsection (c) of this Code section, to the clerk of the superior court of the county where the registered office of the electric membership corporation is located, within four business days after the articles of amendment have been delivered to the Secretary of State for filing; and
(4) Mail the letter and the check, draft, or money order provided for in paragraphs (4) and (5) of subsection (c) of this Code section, with the date inserted in the notice, to the designated newspaper within four business days after the articles of amendment have been delivered to the Secretary of State for filing.
(f) If the Secretary of State finds that the articles of amendment do not appear to be in proper form for filing or are not accompanied by the other items required by subsection (c) of this Code section, he shall reject the articles for filing and shall immediately notify the electric membership corporation or its representative of such rejection by mailing a notice no later than the close of business on the first business day following the day of delivery of the articles of amendment for filing. Said notice shall specify the reason or reasons for rejection of the articles of amendment, and said articles and all accompanying materials shall be returned therewith.
(g) The conformed copy of the articles of amendment, with a copy of the certificate of amendment attached thereto, as provided for in paragraph (3) of subsection (e) of this Code section, shall be filed upon receipt by the clerk of the superior court of the county where the registered office of the electric membership corporation is located. Failure on the part of the Secretary of State to mail the conformed copy of the articles of amendment or failure on the part of the clerk of the superior court to comply with this subsection shall not invalidate the issuance of the certificate of amendment by the Secretary of State.
(h) The notice provided for in paragraph (4) of subsection (c) of this Code section shall be published within ten days after receipt of the notice by the newspaper. Failure on the part of the Secretary of State to mail the notice or failure on the part of the newspaper to comply with this subsection shall not invalidate the issuance of the certificate of amendment by the Secretary of State.
(a) If the Secretary of State issues a certificate of amendment, the amendment shall become effective as of the time of delivery to the Secretary of State of the articles of amendment so certified; and the articles of incorporation shall be deemed to be amended accordingly.
(b) No amendment shall affect any existing cause of action in favor of or against such electric membership corporation, or any pending action to which such electric membership corporation is a party, or the existing rights of persons other than members; and, in the event the corporate name is changed by amendment, no action brought by or against such electric membership corporation under its former name shall abate for that reason.
(a) An electric membership corporation may at any time restate its articles of incorporation as theretofore amended.
(b) If the restated articles restate the text of the original articles as theretofore amended, without making any further amendment or change, the restated articles may be adopted by the board of directors without a vote of the members. In the alternative, the board may submit the proposed restated articles to the members for approval in accordance with Code Section 46-3-361 relating to amendments of the articles of incorporation.
(c) Any amendment or amendments to the articles of incorporation may be adopted in the form of restated articles of incorporation. In such case the restated articles shall be submitted to the members for approval in accordance with Code Section 46-3-361 relating to amendments of the articles of incorporation.
(d) Upon adoption or approval of the proposed restated articles by the directors or the members, as the case may be, restated articles of incorporation shall be executed by the corporation as provided in Code Section 46-3-173, and shall set forth:
(1) All provisions required by Code Section 46-3-321 to be included in original articles of incorporation at the time of restatement, except for the omissions expressly permitted by subsection (e) of this Code section;
(2) If the restated articles of incorporation restate the text of the original articles of incorporation as theretofore amended without making any further amendment or change, that the restatement purports merely to restate but not to change the original articles of incorporation as theretofore amended and that there is no discrepancy, other than that expressly permitted by subsection (e) of this Code section, between the provisions of the original articles of incorporation and the provisions of the restated articles;
(3) If any amendment or amendments to the articles of incorporation are adopted in the form of restated articles of incorporation, that the restatement purports merely to restate all those provisions then in effect not being amended by such new amendment or amendments;
(4) The date upon which the restatement was authorized by the directors or the members, as the case may be;
(5) If the restatement was authorized by the directors without a vote of the members, the director vote required to adopt the restatement and the number of directors who voted for the restatement;
(6) If the restatement was authorized by the members, the member vote required to adopt the restatement, the number of members entitled to vote, and the number of members who voted for the restatement; and
(7) That the restated articles supersede the original articles of incorporation as theretofore amended.
(e) Restated articles of incorporation need not include statements as to the incorporator, the initial board of directors, the address of the initial registered office, or the name of the initial registered agent.
(f) The electric membership corporation shall cause the original restated articles of incorporation and two conformed copies of the restated articles to be delivered to the Secretary of State for filing as provided in subsection (a) of Code Section 46-3-174.
(g) Together with restated articles of incorporation, the electric membership corporation shall cause to be delivered to the Secretary of State:
(1) If subsection (c) of this Code section is applicable and if the purpose of the amendment or of one of the amendments to the articles of incorporation is to change the corporate name, the certificate issued by the Secretary of State reserving the proposed corporate name;
(2) Payment to the Secretary of State of the fee provided for in Code Section 46-3-501;
(3) If subsection (c) of this Code section is applicable, a letter containing a notice for legal publication substantially in the form provided in paragraph (4) of subsection (c) of Code Section 46-3-363 and a check, draft, or money order in the amount of $60.00 payable to the designated newspaper; and
(4) A check, draft, or money order in the amount of $16.00, payable to the clerk of the superior court of the county where the registered office of the electric membership corporation is located on the day of delivery of the restated articles of incorporation to the Secretary of State, in payment of the cost of filing the restated articles of incorporation in that county.
(h) Upon delivery of the restated articles of incorporation to the Secretary of State, the Secretary of State shall affix thereon the hour, day, month, and year of delivery. Not later than the close of business on the first business day following the day of delivery, the Secretary of State shall either issue a restated certificate of incorporation in the manner provided in this Code section or reject the restated articles in the manner provided in this Code section.
(i) If the Secretary of State finds that the restated articles of incorporation appear to be in proper form for filing and are accompanied by the other items required by subsection (g) of this Code section, he shall, in addition to the requirements of subsection (a) of Code Section 46-3-174:
(1) Issue a restated certificate of incorporation which shall state that the articles of incorporation, as theretofore amended, have been restated and, where subsection (c) of this Code section is applicable, have been amended by the filing of restated articles of incorporation in the office of the Secretary of State and the fees paid therefor, as provided by law, and attach the certificate to one conformed copy of the restated articles of incorporation;
(2) Return the restated certificate of incorporation with the conformed copy of the restated articles of incorporation attached thereto to the electric membership corporation or its representative. A copy of the restated certificate of incorporation shall be attached to the original restated articles of incorporation;
(3) Forward a conformed copy of the restated articles of incorporation with a copy of the restated certificate of incorporation attached thereto, along with the check, draft, or money order provided for in paragraph (4) of subsection (g) of this Code section, to the clerk of the superior court in the county where the registered office of the electric membership corporation is located, within four business days after the restated articles of incorporation have been delivered to the Secretary of State for filing; and
(4) If subsection (c) of this Code section is applicable, mail the letter and the check, draft, or money order provided for in paragraph (3) of subsection (g) of this Code section, with the appropriate date inserted in the notice, to the designated newspaper within four business days after the restated articles of incorporation have been delivered to the Secretary of State for filing.
(j) If the Secretary of State finds that the restated articles of the electric membership corporation do not appear to be in proper form for filing or are not accompanied by the other items required by subsection (g) of this Code section, he shall reject the articles for filing and shall immediately notify the electric membership corporation or its representative of such rejection by mailing a notice no later than the close of business on the first business day following the day of delivery of the restated articles of incorporation for filing. Such notice shall specify the reason or reasons for rejection of the restated articles; and all accompanying materials shall be returned therewith.
(k) The conformed copy of the restated articles of incorporation, with a copy of the restated certificate of incorporation attached thereto, as provided for in paragraph (3) of subsection (i) of this Code section, shall be filed upon receipt by the clerk of the superior court of the county where the registered office of the electric membership corporation is located. Failure on the part of the Secretary of State to mail the conformed copy of the restated articles of incorporation or failure on the part of the clerk of the superior court to comply with this subsection shall not invalidate the issuance of the restated certificate of incorporation by the Secretary of State.
(l) The notice provided for in paragraph (3) of subsection (g) of this Code section shall be published within ten days after receipt of the notice by the newspaper. Failure on the part of the Secretary of State to mail the notice or failure on the part of the newspaper to comply with this subsection shall not invalidate the issuance of the restated certificate of incorporation by the Secretary of State.
(m) If the Secretary of State issued a restated certificate of incorporation, the restated articles of incorporation shall become effective as of the time of delivery to the Secretary of State of the restated articles so certified; and the restated articles shall supersede the original articles of incorporation as theretofore amended.
(n) When a restatement has been effected without a vote of the members, as permitted by subsection (b) of this Code section, that fact shall be disclosed in the next report furnished by the electric membership corporation to all its members and in any event to all of its members within 12 months of the effective date of such restatement.
(a) Any two or more electric membership corporations may merge into one of such electric membership corporations pursuant to a plan of merger approved in the manner provided in this part.
(b) The board of directors of each electric membership corporation participating in the merger shall, by resolution adopted by each such board, approve a plan of merger setting forth:
(1) The names of the electric membership corporations proposing to merge, and the name of the electric membership corporation into which they propose to merge, which shall be referred to in this part as the surviving electric membership corporation;
(2) The terms and conditions of the proposed merger;
(3) The manner and basis of converting the membership interests into membership interests, rights, obligations, or securities of the surviving electric membership corporation or of any other corporation or, in whole or in part, into cash or other property;
(4) A statement of any changes in the articles of incorporation of the surviving electric membership corporation to be effected by such merger; and
(5) Such other provisions with respect to the proposed merger as are deemed necessary or desirable.
(a) Any two or more electric membership corporations may consolidate into a new electric membership corporation pursuant to a plan of consolidation approved in the manner provided in this part.
(b) The board of directors of each electric membership corporation participating in the consolidation shall, by a resolution adopted by each such board, approve a plan of consolidation setting forth:
(1) The names of the electric membership corporations proposing to consolidate and the name of the new electric membership corporation into which they propose to consolidate, which shall be referred to in this article as the new electric membership corporation;
(2) The terms and conditions of the proposed consolidation;
(3) The manner and basis of converting the membership interests into membership interests, rights, obligations, or securities of the new electric membership corporation or any other corporation or, in whole or in part, into cash or other property;
(4) With respect to the new electric membership corporation, all of the statements required to be set forth in articles of incorporation for electric membership corporations organized under this article; and
(5) Such other provisions with respect to the proposed consolidation as are deemed necessary or desirable.
(a) The board of directors of each electric membership corporation, upon approving such plan of merger or plan of consolidation, shall by resolution direct that the plan be submitted to a vote at a meeting of members, which may be either an annual or special meeting.
(b) Written notice shall be given to each member not less than 30 days before such meeting, in the manner provided in Code Section 46-3-263 for the giving of notice of meetings of members, and, regardless of whether the meeting is an annual or a special meeting, shall state that the purpose or one of the purposes is to consider the proposed plan of merger or consolidation. Such notice shall include:
(1) A copy of the plan of merger or consolidation or an outline of the material features of the plan; and
(2) A copy of the most recent annual balance sheet and annual profit and loss statement, or comparable financial statements, of each of the merging or consolidating electric membership corporations.
If an electric membership corporation which is a party to any such plan provides retail service, notice that the merger is proposed and of the times and places of the proposed meetings of members for the purpose of voting on the merger shall be delivered not less than 30 days nor more than 90 days before such meeting to the publisher of each newspaper which is the official organ of each county in which each electric membership corporation provides service or to the publisher of one or more newspapers of general circulation published within each such county whose most recently published annual statement of ownership and circulation reflects a minimum of 60 percent paid circulation, together with a check, draft, or money order in the amount of $15.00 in payment of the cost of publishing such notice and a request that such notice be published one time as soon as practicable, but in any event within ten days after receipt of the notice by the newspaper.
(c) At each such meeting, a vote of the members shall be taken on the proposed plan of merger or consolidation. The proposed plan shall be adopted upon receiving at least two-thirds of the votes of the members present and voting, at a meeting at which a quorum is present.
(d) After the plan of merger or consolidation has been approved and at any time prior to the issuance of the certificate of merger or certificate of consolidation by the Secretary of State as provided in subsection (f) of Code Section 46-3-383, the merger or consolidation may be abandoned pursuant to provisions therefor, if any, set forth in the plan of merger or consolidation.
(a) Articles of merger or articles of consolidation shall be executed by each electric membership corporation, as provided in Code Section 46-3-173, and shall set forth:
(1) The plan of merger or the plan of consolidation, including the proposed name of the surviving or new electric membership corporation, which name may be that of any of the merging or consolidating electric membership corporations or any other available name permitted under this article;
(2) As to each consolidating electric membership corporation and as to each merging electric membership corporation the members of which voted on such plan, a statement of the member vote required to adopt the plan of merger or consolidation, the number of members entitled to vote, and the vote for the plan; and
(3) The effective time and date of the merger or consolidation if the effective time and date of the merger or consolidation is to be after the delivery of the articles of merger or articles of consolidation to the Secretary of State, as provided in subsection (a) of Code Section 46-3-384.
(b) If the proposed name of the surviving or new electric membership corporation is not that of any of the merging or consolidating electric membership corporations, any one of those electric membership corporations shall obtain from the Secretary of State a certificate which states that such name is available in accordance with Code Section 46-3-220. Such certificate shall be issued upon application to reserve the use of the proposed corporate name as provided in Code Section 46-3-221 and shall be valid for the period provided in Code Section 46-3-221, including any extension of such period granted by the Secretary of State. Upon the expiration of such period or any extension thereof, the certificate shall become void unless a certificate of merger or certificate of consolidation shall have been issued by the Secretary of State within such time.
(c) The merging or consolidating electric membership corporations shall cause the original articles of merger or the original articles of consolidation and two conformed copies of the articles of merger or the articles of consolidation to be delivered to the Secretary of State for filing as provided in subsection (a) of Code Section 46-3-174.
(d) Together with the articles of merger or articles of consolidation, the merging or consolidating electric membership corporations shall cause to be delivered to the Secretary of State:
(1) If subsection (b) of this Code section is applicable, the certificate issued by the Secretary of State reserving the proposed name for the surviving or new electric membership corporation;
(2) Payment to the Secretary of State of the fee provided for in Code Section 46-3-501;
(3) A check, draft, or money order in the amount of $16.00, payable to the clerk of the superior court of the county where the registered office of the surviving or new electric membership corporation is to be located, in payment of the cost of filing the articles of merger or articles of consolidation in that county;
(4) A letter addressed to the publisher of a newspaper which is the official organ of the county where the registered office of the surviving or new electric membership corporation is to be located or which is a newspaper of general circulation published within that county whose most recently published annual statement of ownership and circulation reflects a minimum of 60 percent paid circulation. This letter shall contain a notice to be published four times in the newspaper and shall be in substantially the following form:
(name and address of the newspaper designated by the merging or consolidating electric membership corporations)
Dear Sirs:
You are requested to publish, four times, a notice in the following form:
“A (merger) (consolidation) (has been) (will be) effected by and between _____ (name and state of incorporation of each of the constituent electric membership corporations) on _____ (month, day, and year to be inserted by the Secretary of State) by the issuance of a certificate of (merger) (consolidation) by the Secretary of State, in accordance with the applicable provisions of Article 4 of Chapter 3 of Title 46, the ‘Georgia Electric Membership Corporation Act.’ The name of the (surviving electric membership corporation in the merger) (new electric membership corporation resulting from the consolidation) (is) (will be) _____ (set forth the name and state of incorporation of the surviving electric membership corporation or new electric membership corporation, as the case may be), the registered office of which (is) (will be) located at _____ (address of registered office).”
Enclosed is a (check, draft, or money order) in the amount of $60.00 in payment of the cost of publishing this notice.
| Very truly yours, | | --- | | (Name and address of | | merging or consolidating | | electric membership corporations | | or their representative) |
(5) A check, draft, or money order in the amount of $60.00 payable to the designated newspaper.
(e) Upon delivery of the articles of merger or articles of consolidation to the Secretary of State, the Secretary of State shall affix thereon the hour, day, month, and year of delivery. Not later than the close of business on the first business day following the day of delivery, the Secretary of State shall either issue a certificate of merger or certificate of consolidation in the manner provided in this Code section or reject the articles in the manner provided in this Code section.
(f) If the Secretary of State finds that the articles of merger or articles of consolidation appear to be in proper form for filing and are accompanied by the other items required by subsection (d) of this Code section, he shall, in addition to the requirements of subsection (a) of Code Section 46-3-174:
(1) Issue a certificate of merger or a certificate of consolidation which shall state that the merging or consolidating electric membership corporations have been or will be duly merged or consolidated, as the case may be, and the effective date thereof, by the filing of articles of merger or articles of consolidation in the office of the Secretary of State and the fees paid therefor, as provided by law, and attach the certificate of merger or certificate of consolidation to one conformed copy of the articles of merger or articles of consolidation;
(2) Return the certificate of merger or certificate of consolidation, with the conformed copy of the articles of merger or articles of consolidation attached thereto, to the surviving or new electric membership corporation, as the case may be, or its representative. A copy of the certificate shall be attached to the original articles of merger or articles of consolidation;
(3) Forward a conformed copy of the articles of merger or articles of consolidation, with a copy of the certificate of merger or certificate of consolidation, as the case may be, attached thereto, along with the check, draft, or money order provided for in paragraph (3) of subsection (d) of this Code section, to the clerk of the superior court of the county where the registered office of the surviving or new electric membership corporation is to be located, within four business days after the articles of merger or articles of consolidation have been delivered to the Secretary of State for filing; and
(4) Mail the letter and the check, draft, or money order provided for in paragraphs (4) and (5) of subsection (d) of this Code section to the designated newspaper within four business days after the articles of merger or articles of consolidation have been delivered to the Secretary of State for filing.
(g) If the Secretary of State finds that the articles of merger or articles of consolidation do not appear to be in proper form for filing or are not accompanied by the other items required by subsection (d) of this Code section, he shall reject the articles for filing and shall immediately notify the merging or consolidating electric membership corporations or their representative of such rejection by mailing a notice no later than the close of business on the first business day following the day of delivery of the articles of merger or articles of consolidation for filing. This notice shall specify the reason or reasons for rejection of the articles of merger or articles of consolidation; and the articles and all accompanying materials shall be returned therewith.
(h) The conformed copy of the articles of merger or articles of consolidation, with a copy of the certificate of merger or certificate of consolidation attached thereto, provided for in paragraph (3) of subsection (f) of this Code section shall be filed upon receipt by the clerk of the superior court of the county where the registered office of the surviving or new electric membership corporation is to be located. Failure on the part of the Secretary of State to mail the conformed copy of the articles of merger or articles of consolidation or failure on the part of the clerk of the superior court to comply with this subsection shall not invalidate the issuance of the certificate of merger or certificate of consolidation by the Secretary of State.
(i) The notice provided for in paragraph (4) of subsection (d) of this Code section and in subsection (b) of Code Section 46-3-382 shall be published within ten days after receipt of the notice by the newspaper. Failure on the part of the Secretary of State to mail the notice provided for in paragraph (4) of subsection (d) of this Code section or failure on the part of the newspaper to comply with this subsection shall not affect the validity of the meeting of members at which the merger or consolidation is approved or the validity of the certificate of merger or certificate of consolidation issued by the Secretary of State.
(a) If the Secretary of State issues a certificate of merger or certificate of consolidation, the merger or consolidation shall become effective as of the time of delivery to the Secretary of State of the articles of merger or articles of consolidation so certified, as provided in Code Section 46-3-383, or at such later time and date as the articles shall specify, not to exceed 60 days from the date of delivery of the articles to the Secretary of State.
(b) When such merger or consolidation has become effective:
(1) The several electric membership corporations which are parties to the plan of merger or consolidation shall be a single electric membership corporation, which, in the case of a merger, shall be that electric membership corporation designated in the plan of merger as the surviving electric membership corporation and, in the case of a consolidation, shall be the new electric membership corporation provided for in the plan of consolidation;
(2) The separate existence of all electric membership corporations which are parties to the plan of merger or consolidation, except the surviving or new electric membership corporation, shall cease;
(3) Such surviving or new electric membership corporation shall have all the rights, privileges, immunities, and powers and shall be subject to all the duties and liabilities of an electric membership corporation organized under this article;
(4) Such surviving or new electric membership corporation shall thereupon and thereafter possess all the rights, privileges, immunities, and franchises, of a public as well as of a private nature, of each of the merging or consolidating electric membership corporations; and all property, whether real, personal, or mixed, and all debts due on whatever account, and all other choses in action, and all and every other interest of or belonging to or due to each of the electric membership corporations so merged or consolidated shall be taken and deemed to be transferred to and vested in such a single electric membership corporation without further act or deed; and the title to any real estate, or any interest therein, vested in any of such electric membership corporations shall not revert or be in any way impaired by reason of such merger or consolidation;
(5) Such surviving or new electric membership corporation shall thenceforth be responsible and liable for all the liabilities and obligations of each of the electric membership corporations so merged or consolidated; and any claim existing or action or proceeding pending by or against any of such electric membership corporations may be prosecuted as if such merger or consolidation had not taken place; or such surviving or new electric membership corporation may be substituted in its place. Neither the rights of creditors nor any liens upon the property of any such electric membership corporation shall be impaired by such merger or consolidation;
(6) In the case of a merger, the articles of incorporation of the surviving electric membership corporation shall be deemed to be amended to the extent, if any, that changes in its articles of incorporation are stated in the plan of merger; and, in the case of a consolidation, the statements set forth in the articles of consolidation and which are required or permitted to be set forth in the articles of incorporation of electric membership corporations organized under this article shall be deemed to be the original articles of incorporation of the new electric membership corporation.
(a) One or more foreign electric cooperatives and one or more electric membership corporations may be merged or consolidated into an electric membership corporation or a foreign electric cooperative, if such merger or consolidation is permitted by the laws of the jurisdiction under which each such foreign electric cooperative is organized.
(b) With respect to procedure, including all filing and advertising requirements:
(1) Each such foreign electric cooperative shall comply with the applicable provisions of the laws of the jurisdiction under which it is organized;
(2) Each electric membership corporation shall comply with the provisions of this article relating to the merger or consolidation, as the case may be, of electric membership corporations. If the surviving or new corporation is to be a foreign electric cooperative without a registered office in this state, the notice provided for in paragraph (4) of subsection (d) of Code Section 46-3-383 shall be published, and the conformed copy of the articles of merger or articles of consolidation provided for in paragraph (3) of subsection (f) of Code Section 46-3-383 shall be filed in the county where the registered office of any of the electric membership corporations is located.
(c) If the surviving or new corporation, as the case may be, is to be governed by the laws of any jurisdiction other than this state, it shall comply with the provisions of this article with respect to foreign electric cooperatives if it is to transact business in this state, and in every case it shall be deemed to have filed with the Secretary of State of this state:
(1) An agreement that it may be served with process in this state in any proceeding for the enforcement of any obligation of any electric membership corporation which is a party to such merger or consolidation; and
(2) An irrevocable appointment of the Secretary of State of this state as its agent to accept service of process in any such proceeding.
(d) If the surviving or new corporation is to be governed by the laws of this state, the effect of such merger or consolidation shall be the same as in the case of the merger or consolidation of electric membership corporations. If the surviving or new corporation is to be governed by the laws of any jurisdiction other than this state, the effect of such merger or consolidation shall be the same as in the case of the merger or consolidation of electric membership corporations except insofar as the laws of such other jurisdiction provide otherwise.
(e) At any time prior to the issuance of the certificate of merger or certificate of consolidation by the Secretary of State, the merger or consolidation may be abandoned pursuant to provisions therefor, if any, set forth in the plan of merger or consolidation.
(a) Unless the articles of incorporation or bylaws otherwise provide, the board of directors may authorize any of the following transactions without any vote or consent of the members:
(1) Any sale, lease, exchange, or other disposition of less than substantially all the property and assets of the electric membership corporation; and
(2) The execution and delivery of any one or more mortgages, deeds of trust, or deeds to secure debt covering, or the creation by any other means of a security interest in, any or all of the real or personal property, assets, rights, privileges, licenses, franchises, and permits of the electric membership corporation, or any interest therein, as well as the revenues therefrom, whether acquired or to be acquired, and wherever situated, for the purpose of securing the payment or performance of any one or more contracts, notes, bonds, or other obligation of the electric membership corporation.
(b) Any transaction made as permitted by this Code section without any vote or consent of the members may be upon such terms and conditions and for such consideration as the board may deem to be in the best interests of the electric membership corporation.
A sale, lease, exchange, or other disposition of all or substantially all the property and assets of an electric membership corporation, with or without the good will of the electric membership corporation, in all cases other than those dealt with in Code Section 46-3-400 may be made upon such terms and conditions and for such consideration, which may consist in whole or in part of money or property, either real or personal, including, but not limited to, bonds or other securities of other electric membership corporations or of foreign electric cooperatives, or shares, bonds, or other securities of any other corporations, either domestic or foreign, as shall be authorized in the following manner:
(1) The board of directors shall adopt a resolution recommending such sale, lease, exchange, or other disposition, specifying to the extent that the board sees fit any or all of the terms and conditions thereof and the consideration to be received by the electric membership corporation therefor and directing the submission thereof to a vote at a meeting of members, which may be either an annual or a special meeting;
(2) Written notice shall be given to each member not less than 30 days before such meeting, in the manner provided in Code Section 46-3-263 for the giving of notice of meetings of members, and, regardless of whether the meeting is an annual or a special meeting, shall state that the purpose or one of the purposes is to consider the proposed sale, lease, exchange, or other disposition and shall fairly summarize the material features of the proposed transaction. Such written notice shall also be mailed, on the earliest date such notice is given to any member of the electric membership corporation, to any person who supplies retail electric service in this state and who has a contract with the electric membership corporation under which it is entitled to any of the output of or to be served by any facility owned in whole or in part by the electric membership corporation. If the electric membership corporation provides retail service, notice that the sale, lease, exchange, or other disposition is proposed and of the time and place of the proposed meeting of members for the purpose of voting on such disposition shall be delivered not less than 30 days nor more than 90 days before such meeting to the publisher of each newspaper which is the official organ of each county in which the electric membership corporation provides service or to the publisher of one or more newspapers of general circulation published within each such county whose most recently published annual statement of ownership and circulation reflects a minimum of 60 percent paid circulation, together with a check, draft, or money order in the amount of $15.00 in payment of the cost of publishing such notice and a request that such notice be published one time as soon as practicable but, in any event, within ten days after receipt of the notice by the newspaper. Such notice shall be published by each newspaper within ten days of its receipt of the notice; but failure of any newspaper to comply with such publication requirement shall not affect the validity of the meeting of members at which the disposition is approved and shall not affect the validity of the disposition.
(3) At such meeting, the members may authorize such sale, lease, exchange, or other disposition and may approve or fix, or may authorize the board of directors to fix, any or all of the terms and conditions thereof and the consideration to be received by the electric membership corporation therefor. Such authorization shall require the affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the electric membership corporation.
(4) After such authorization by a vote of the members, the board of directors may nevertheless in its discretion abandon such sale, lease, exchange, or other disposition of assets, subject to the rights of third parties under any contracts relating thereto, without further action or approval by the members.
An electric membership corporation may be dissolved by the act of the electric membership corporation when authorized in the following manner:
(1) The board of directors shall adopt a resolution recommending that the electric membership corporation be dissolved and directing that the question of such dissolution be submitted to a vote at a meeting of the members, which may be either an annual or a special meeting;
(2) Written notice shall be given to each member not less than 30 days before such meeting, in the manner provided in Code Section 46-3-263 for the giving of notice of meetings of members and, regardless of whether the meeting is an annual or a special meeting, shall state that the purpose or one of the purposes of such meeting is to consider the advisability of dissolving the electric membership corporation. Such written notice shall also be mailed, on the earliest date such notice is given to any member of the electric membership corporation, to any person who supplies retail electric service in this state and who has a contract with the electric membership corporation under which it is entitled to any of the output of or to be served by any facility owned in whole or in part by the electric membership corporation. If the electric membership corporation provides retail service, notice that dissolution is proposed and of the time and place of the proposed meeting of members for the purpose of voting on dissolution shall be delivered not less than 30 days nor more than 90 days before such meeting to the publisher of each newspaper which is the official organ of each county in which the electric membership corporation provides service or to the publisher of one or more newspapers of general circulation published within each such county whose most recently published annual statement of ownership and circulation reflects a minimum of 60 percent paid circulation, together with a check, draft, or money order in the amount of $15.00 in payment of the cost of publishing such notice and a request that such notice be published one time as soon as practicable but, in any event, within ten days after receipt of the notice by the newspaper. Such notice shall be published by each newspaper within ten days of its receipt of the notice; but failure of any newspaper to comply with such publication requirement shall not affect the validity of the meeting of members at which dissolution is approved;
(3) At such meeting, a vote of the members entitled to vote thereat shall be taken on a resolution to dissolve the electric membership corporation. The resolution may fix the time within which the statement of intent to dissolve, required by this article, shall be delivered to the Secretary of State for filing and also may authorize the board to abandon dissolution proceedings and to file a statement of revocation of voluntary dissolution proceedings without further member action. Such resolution shall be adopted upon receiving the affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the electric membership corporation;
(4) Upon the adoption of such resolution, a statement of intent to dissolve shall be executed by the electric membership corporation as provided in Code Section 46-3-173, which statement shall set forth:
(A) The name of the electric membership corporation and its date and county of incorporation;
(B) The names and respective addresses of its officers;
(C) The names and respective addresses of its directors;
(D) A copy of the resolution adopted by the members authorizing the dissolution of the electric membership corporation; and
(E) The member vote required to adopt the resolution to dissolve the electric membership corporation, the number of members entitled to vote, and the vote for the resolution.
The statement of intent to dissolve shall be delivered to the Secretary of State for filing as provided in Code Section 46-3-174. The electric membership corporation shall also forward a copy of such statement to the state revenue commissioner for filing.
Upon the filing by the Secretary of State of a statement of intent to dissolve, the electric membership corporation shall cease to carry on its business, except insofar as may be necessary or appropriate for the winding up thereof; but its corporate existence shall continue until the time provided in subsection (g) of Code Section 46-3-428.
(a) The electric membership corporation shall immediately cause notice of its intent to dissolve to be published in a newspaper which is the official organ of the county where the registered office of the electric membership corporation is located or which is a newspaper of general circulation published within that county whose most recently published annual statement of ownership and circulation reflects a minimum of 60 percent paid circulation. This notice shall be published four times in the newspaper and shall be in substantially the following form:
A Statement of Intent to Dissolve _____ (name of electric membership corporation), a Georgia electric membership corporation with registered office at _____ (address of registered office), has been delivered to the Secretary of State by said electric membership corporation and filed by him on _____, _____ (month, day, and year), in accordance with the applicable provisions of Article 4 of Chapter 3 of Title 46, the “Georgia Electric Membership Corporation Act.”
(b) The electric membership corporation shall proceed to collect its assets; convey and dispose of such of its properties as are not to be distributed in kind to its members and former members; pay, satisfy, and discharge its liabilities and obligations; and do all other acts required to liquidate its business and affairs and, after paying or adequately providing for the payment of all its obligations, distribute the remainder of its assets, either in cash or in kind, among its members and former members according to their respective rights and interests as such rights and interests are established under the articles of incorporation and bylaws.
(c) The electric membership corporation, at any time during the liquidation of its business and affairs, may make application to the superior court of the county where the registered office of the electric membership corporation is situated to have the liquidation continued under the supervision of the court as provided in Code Section 46-3-431.
An electric membership corporation may, at any time prior to the issuance of a certificate of dissolution by the Secretary of State as provided in subsection (d) of Code Section 46-3-428, revoke voluntary dissolution proceedings theretofore taken, in the following manner:
(1) The board of directors shall adopt a resolution recommending that the voluntary dissolution proceedings be revoked and directing that the question of such revocation be submitted to a vote at a special meeting of members;
(2) Written notice, stating that the purpose or one of the purposes of such meeting is to consider the advisability of revoking the voluntary dissolution proceedings, shall be given to each member within the time and in the manner provided in Code Section 46-3-263 for the giving of notice of special meetings of members;
(3) At such meeting, a vote of the members shall be taken on a resolution to revoke voluntary dissolution proceedings, which resolution shall require for its adoption the affirmative vote of a majority of all the members;
(4) Upon the adoption of such resolution, a statement of revocation of voluntary dissolution proceedings shall be executed by the electric membership corporation as provided in this article, which statement shall set forth:
(A) The name of the electric membership corporation;
(B) The names and respective addresses of its officers;
(C) The names and respective addresses of its directors;
(D) A copy of the resolution adopted by the members revoking the voluntary dissolution proceedings; and
(E) The member vote required to adopt the resolution to revoke voluntary dissolution proceedings, the number of members entitled to vote, and the vote for the resolution;
(5) If the board has been authorized, in the original resolution to dissolve the electric membership corporation adopted by the members, to abandon dissolution proceedings and to file a statement of revocation of voluntary dissolution proceedings without further member action, then this statement shall be executed by the electric membership corporation as provided in Code Section 46-3-173 upon the adoption by the board of a resolution recommending that the voluntary dissolution proceedings be revoked. In such case, the statement shall set forth a copy of the resolution adopted by the board and shall briefly state why action by the members was not required; but the statement need not be responsive to subparagraphs (D) and (E) of paragraph (4) of this Code section.
The statement of revocation of voluntary dissolution proceedings shall be delivered to the Secretary of State for filing as provided in Code Section 46-3-174.
Upon the filing by the Secretary of State of a statement of revocation of voluntary dissolution proceedings, the revocation of the voluntary dissolution proceedings shall become effective and the electric membership corporation may again carry on its business.
If voluntary dissolution proceedings under Code Section 46-3-420 have not been revoked, then when all debts, liabilities, and obligations of the electric membership corporation have been paid and discharged, or adequate provision has been made therefor, and all of the remaining property and assets of the electric membership corporation have been distributed to its members and former members, or adequate provision has been made therefor, articles of dissolution shall be executed by the electric membership corporation as provided in Code Section 46-3-173, which articles shall set forth:
(1) The name of the electric membership corporation;
(2) That the Secretary of State has theretofore filed a statement of intent to dissolve the electric membership corporation and the date on which such statement was filed;
(3) That all debts, obligations, and liabilities of the electric membership corporation have been paid and discharged or that adequate provision has been made therefor;
(4) That all remaining property and assets of the electric membership corporation have been distributed among its members and former members in accordance with their respective rights and interests, or that adequate provision has been made therefor, or that such property and assets have been deposited with the Office of the State Treasurer as provided in Code Section 46-3-438; and
(5) That there are no actions pending against the electric membership corporation in any court or that adequate provision has been made for the satisfaction of any judgment, order, or decree which may be entered against it in any pending action.
(a) The electric membership corporation shall cause the original articles of dissolution and two conformed copies of the articles to be delivered to the Secretary of State for filing as provided in subsection (a) of Code Section 46-3-174.
(b) Together with the articles of dissolution, the electric membership corporation shall cause to be delivered to the Secretary of State:
(1) The electric membership corporation's certification that all tax returns which were due the state on the day of delivery of the articles of dissolution to the Secretary of State have been filed, such certification to be attached to the articles;
(2) Payment to the Secretary of State of the fee provided for in Code Section 46-3-501; and
(3) A check, draft, or money order in the amount of $16.00, payable to the clerk of the superior court of the county where the registered office of the electric membership corporation is located on the day of delivery of the articles of dissolution to the Secretary of State, in payment of the cost of filing the articles of dissolution in the county.
(c) Upon delivery of the articles of dissolution to the Secretary of State, the Secretary of State shall affix thereon the hour, day, month, and year of delivery. Not later than the close of business on the first business day following the day of delivery, the Secretary of State shall either issue a certificate of dissolution in the manner provided in this Code section or reject the articles in the manner provided in this Code section.
(d) If the Secretary of State finds that the articles of dissolution appear to be in proper form for filing and are accompanied by the other items required by subsection (b) of this Code section, he shall, in addition to the requirements of subsection (a) of Code Section 46-3-174:
(1) Issue a certificate of dissolution which shall state that the electric membership corporation has been dissolved by the filing of articles of dissolution in the office of the Secretary of State and the fees paid therefor, as provided by law, and attach the certificate to one conformed copy of the articles of dissolution;
(2) Return the certificate of dissolution with the conformed copy of the articles of dissolution attached thereto to the electric membership corporation or its representative. A copy of the certificate of dissolution shall be attached to the original articles of dissolution; and
(3) Forward a conformed copy of the articles of dissolution with a copy of the certificate of dissolution attached thereto, along with the check, draft, or money order provided for in paragraph (3) of subsection (b) of this Code section, to the clerk of the superior court in the county where the registered office of the electric membership corporation is located, within four business days after the articles of dissolution have been delivered to the Secretary of State for filing.
(e) If the Secretary of State finds that the articles of dissolution do not appear to be in proper form for filing or are not accompanied by the other items required by subsection (b) of this Code section, he shall reject the articles for filing and shall immediately notify the electric membership corporation or its representative of such rejection by mailing a notice no later than the close of business on the first business day following the day of delivery of the articles of dissolution for filing. This notice shall specify the reason or reasons for rejection of the articles of dissolution; and the articles and all accompanying materials shall be returned therewith.
(f) The conformed copy of the articles of dissolution, with a copy of the certificate of dissolution attached thereto, provided for in paragraph (3) of subsection (d) of this Code section shall be filed upon receipt by the clerk of the superior court of the county where the registered office of the electric membership corporation is located. Failure on the part of the Secretary of State to mail the conformed copy of the articles of dissolution or failure on the part of the clerk of the superior court to comply with this subsection shall not invalidate the issuance of the certificate of dissolution by the Secretary of State.
(g) If the Secretary of State issues a certificate of dissolution, and after the electric membership corporation or its representative has filed a copy of its statement of intent to dissolve with the state revenue commissioner, the existence of the electric membership corporation shall cease as of the time of delivery to the Secretary of State of the articles of dissolution so certified, except for the purpose of court actions, other proceedings, and appropriate corporate actions by members, directors, and officers as provided in Code Section 46-3-439.
(a) If the Secretary of State determines that one of the situations described in subsection (b) of this Code section exists with regard to one or more electric membership corporations, the Secretary of State shall certify to the Attorney General the names of all such electric membership corporations, together with the facts pertinent thereto. Upon receipt of the certification from the Secretary of State, the Attorney General shall mail a notice that such certification has been made, together with a statement of the facts pertinent thereto, to the registered office of the electric membership corporation or, if there is no registered office, to the last known address of the electric membership corporation, or to an officer listed on the most recent annual report filed with the Secretary of State, or, if none is listed, to any officer, director, or incorporator of the electric membership corporation, as shown by the records of the Secretary of State.
(b) In addition to any other remedies provided by law, the electric membership corporation may be dissolved involuntarily by a decree of the superior court in an action filed by the Attorney General 30 days or more after the date of mailing of the notice to the electric membership corporation under subsection (a) of this Code section, when it is established that:
(1) The electric membership corporation procured its articles of incorporation through fraud;
(2) The electric membership corporation has continued, after the written notice by the Attorney General to the electric membership corporation or one of its principal directors or officers, to violate this article in a manner likely to injure the public or the electric membership corporation's members, creditors, or debtors, except that the Attorney General shall not file such action so long as the electric membership corporation is contesting in good faith, in any appropriate judicial or administrative proceeding, the alleged violation or violations of this article upon which the certification to the Attorney General is based;
(3) The electric membership corporation has been adjudicated bankrupt;
(4) The electric membership corporation has made a general assignment for the benefit of creditors; or
(5) By leave of court, when a receiver has been appointed in any action in which the affairs of the electric membership corporation are to be wound up.
Every action for the involuntary dissolution of an electric membership corporation shall be commenced in the name of the state by the Attorney General in the superior court of the county in which the last known registered office or principal office of the electric membership corporation, as shown by the records of the Secretary of State, is situated. Process shall issue and be served as in other civil actions.
(a) The superior courts shall have full power to liquidate the assets and business of an electric membership corporation:
(1) In an action by at least 25 members or 10 percent of all of the members of the electric membership corporation, whichever is less, when it is established:
(A) That the directors are deadlocked in the management of the corporate affairs and the members are unable to break the deadlock, that irreparable injury to the electric membership corporation is being suffered or is threatened by reason thereof, and that it is impracticable for the court to appoint a provisional director as provided in Code Section 46-3-292 or to continue one in office;
(B) That the acts of the directors or those in control of the electric membership corporation are illegal or fraudulent;
(C) That the members are deadlocked in voting power and have failed, for a period which includes at least two consecutive annual meeting dates, to elect successors to directors whose terms have expired or would have expired upon the election of their successors; or
(D) That the corporate assets are being misapplied or wasted;
(2) In an action by a creditor:
(A) When the claim of the creditor has been reduced to judgment and an execution thereon returned unsatisfied, and it is established that the electric membership corporation is insolvent; or
(B) When the electric membership corporation has admitted in writing that the claim of the creditor is due and owing, and it is established that the electric membership corporation is insolvent; or
(3) Upon application by an electric membership corporation which has filed a statement of intent to dissolve, as provided in Code Section 46-3-420, to have its liquidation continued under the supervision of the court; or
(4) When an action has been filed by the Attorney General to dissolve an electric membership corporation and it is established that liquidation of its business and affairs should precede the entry of a decree of dissolution.
(b) Proceedings under paragraph (1), (2), or (3) of subsection (a) of this Code section shall be brought in the county in which the registered office of the electric membership corporation is situated.
(c) It shall not be necessary to make directors or members parties to any such action or proceeding unless relief is sought against them personally.
(a) In proceedings to liquidate the assets and business of an electric membership corporation, the court shall have power to issue injunctions; to appoint a receiver or receivers pendente lite with such powers and duties as the court from time to time may direct; and to take such other actions as may be required to preserve the corporate assets wherever situated and carry on the business of the electric membership corporation until a full hearing can be had.
(b) After a hearing had upon such notice as the court may direct to be given to all parties to the proceedings and to any other parties in interest designated by the court, the court may appoint a liquidating receiver or receivers with authority to collect the assets of the electric membership corporation, including all amounts owing to the electric membership corporation by members. Such liquidating receiver or receivers shall have authority, subject to the order of the court, to sell, convey, and dispose of all or any part of the assets of the electric membership corporation wherever situated, either at public sale or at private sale. The assets of the electric membership corporation or the proceeds resulting from a sale, conveyance, or other disposition thereof shall be applied to the expenses of such liquidation and to the payment of the liabilities and obligations of the electric membership corporation; and any remaining assets or proceeds shall be distributed among its members and former members according to their respective rights and interests. The order appointing such liquidating receiver or receivers shall state their powers and duties. Such powers and duties may be increased or diminished at any time during the proceedings.
(c) The court shall have power to allow from time to time, as expenses of the liquidation, compensation to the receiver or receivers and to attorneys in the proceeding and to direct the payment thereof out of the assets of the electric membership corporation or the proceeds of any sale or disposition of such assets.
(d) A receiver of an electric membership corporation appointed under this Code section shall have authority to sue and defend in all courts in his own name as receiver of such electric membership corporation. The court appointing such receiver shall have exclusive jurisdiction of the electric membership corporation and its property, wherever situated.
(a) A receiver shall in all cases be a citizen of the United States or a corporation authorized to act as receiver, which corporation may be a domestic corporation, either business or nonprofit, or a foreign corporation, either business or nonprofit, authorized to transact business in this state.
(b) A receiver shall in all cases give such bond as the court may direct, with such sureties as the court may require.
In proceedings to liquidate the assets and business of an electric membership corporation, the court may require all creditors of the electric membership corporation to file with the clerk of the court or with the receiver, in such form as the court may prescribe, proofs under oath of their respective claims. If the court requires the filing of claims, it shall fix a date, which shall be not less than four months from the date of the order, as the last day for the filing of claims and shall prescribe the notice that shall be given to creditors and claimants of the date so fixed. Prior to the date so fixed, the court may extend the time for the filing of claims. Creditors and claimants failing to file proofs of claim on or before the date so fixed may be barred, by order of court, from participating in the distribution of the assets of the electric membership corporation.
The liquidation of the assets and business of an electric membership corporation may be discontinued at any time during the liquidation proceedings when it is established that cause for liquidation no longer exists. In such event, the court shall dismiss the proceedings and direct the receiver to redeliver to the electric membership corporation all of its remaining property and assets.
In proceedings to liquidate the assets and business of an electric membership corporation, when the costs and expenses of such proceedings and all debts, obligations, and liabilities of the electric membership corporation have been paid and discharged, or adequate provision has been made therefor, and all of its remaining property and assets distributed to its members or former members, or adequate provision has been made therefor, or such property and assets have been deposited with the Office of the State Treasurer as provided in Code Section 46-3-438, or if its property and assets are not sufficient to satisfy and discharge such costs, expenses, debts, and obligations and all of the property and assets have been applied so far as they will go to their payment, the court shall enter a decree dissolving the electric membership corporation. Upon the filing of the decree with the clerk of the court, the existence of the electric membership corporation shall cease.
(a) If the court enters a decree dissolving an electric membership corporation, it shall be the duty of the clerk of the court to cause a certified copy of the decree to be filed with the Secretary of State. No fee shall be charged by the Secretary of State for the filing of this certified copy or for giving the notice required by subsection (b) of this Code section.
(b) The Secretary of State shall give notice of the decree dissolving the electric membership corporation and of the date of its entry to:
(1) The clerk of the superior court of the county where the electric membership corporation's last known registered office or principal office, as shown by the records of the Secretary of State, is situated, if such decree has been entered by the superior court of another county; and
(2) The clerk of the superior court of the county where the electric membership corporation's articles of incorporation were filed, if such decree has been entered by the superior court of another county.
No fee shall be charged by such clerks for receiving and filing the notice required by this subsection.
Upon the voluntary or involuntary dissolution of an electric membership corporation, the portion of the assets distributable to a creditor or member who is unknown or cannot be found, or who is under disability and has no known representative legally competent to receive such distributive portion, shall be reduced to cash and deposited with the Office of the State Treasurer and shall be paid over to such creditor or member or to his legal representative upon proof satisfactory to the Office of the State Treasurer of his right thereto. After the Office of the State Treasurer has held the unclaimed cash for six months, the Office of the State Treasurer shall pay such cash to the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia, to be held without liability for profit or interest until a claim for such cash shall be filed with the Office of the State Treasurer by the parties entitled thereto. No such claim shall be made more than six years after such cash is deposited with the Office of the State Treasurer.
The dissolution of an electric membership corporation in any manner, except by a decree of court when the court has supervised the liquidation of the assets and business of the electric membership corporation as provided in this article, shall not take away or impair any remedy available to or against such electric membership corporation or its directors, officers, or members for any right or claim existing, or any liability incurred, prior to such dissolution if an action or other proceeding thereon is pending on the date of such dissolution or is commenced within two years after the date of such dissolution. Any such action or proceeding by or against the electric membership corporation may be prosecuted or defended by the electric membership corporation in its corporate name. The members, directors, and officers shall have power to take such corporate or other action as shall be appropriate to protect such remedy, right, or claim.
An electric membership corporation that has been dissolved by the expiration of its period of duration but which has continued in business in ignorance of such expiration may revive its corporate existence by amending its articles of incorporation at any time during a period of 15 years immediately following the expiration date fixed by the articles of incorporation so as to extend its period of duration. As of the effective date of the amendment, the corporate existence shall be deemed to have continued without interruption from the expiration date. If during the period between expiration and revival the name of the electric membership corporation has been assumed, reserved, or registered by any other electric membership corporation, the revived electric membership corporation shall not engage in business until it has amended its articles of incorporation to change its name.
(a) No foreign electric cooperative shall have the right to transact business in this state until it shall have procured a certificate of authority to do so from the Secretary of State. No foreign electric cooperative shall be entitled to procure a certificate of authority under this article to transact in this state any business which an electric membership corporation organized under the laws of this state is not permitted to transact; and no foreign electric cooperative shall be entitled to procure a certificate of authority to transact any business in this state which under any of the laws of this state a foreign electric cooperative is not permitted to transact. Any foreign electric cooperative to which a certificate of authority is granted shall be subject to all licensing and regulatory statutes of this state relating to businesses of the kind which the foreign electric cooperative proposes to transact in this state. A foreign electric cooperative shall not be denied a certificate of authority by reason of the fact that the laws of the state under which such foreign electric cooperative is organized governing its organization and internal affairs differ from the laws of this state; and nothing contained in this article shall be construed to authorize this state to regulate the organization or the internal affairs of such foreign electric cooperative.
(b) Without excluding other activities which may not constitute transacting business in this state, a foreign electric cooperative shall not be considered to be transacting business in this state, for the purposes of qualification under this article, solely by reason of carrying on in this state any one or more of the following activities:
(1) Maintaining or defending any action or any administrative or arbitration proceeding, or effecting the settlement thereof or the settlement of claims or disputes;
(2) Holding meetings of its directors or members or carrying on other activities concerning its internal affairs;
(3) Maintaining bank accounts, or share accounts in savings and loan associations, custodian or agency arrangements with a bank or trust company, or stock or bond brokerage accounts;
(4) Securing or collecting debts or enforcing any rights in property securing the same;
(5) Effecting transactions in interstate or foreign commerce;
(6) Owning and controlling a subsidiary electric membership corporation or other corporation incorporated in or transacting business within this state; or
(7) Conducting an isolated transaction not in the course of a number of repeated transactions of like nature.
(c) This Code section shall not be deemed to establish a standard for activities which may subject a foreign electric cooperative to taxation or to service of process under any of the laws of this state.
A foreign electric cooperative which has received a certificate of authority under this article shall, until a certificate of revocation or of withdrawal has been issued as provided in this article, enjoy the same, but no greater, rights and privileges as an electric membership corporation organized for the purposes set forth in the application pursuant to which such certificate of authority is issued; and, except as otherwise provided in this article, such foreign electric cooperative shall be subject to the same duties, restrictions, penalties, and liabilities imposed upon an electric membership corporation.
(a) No certificate of authority shall be issued to a foreign electric cooperative unless the corporate name shall be written in Roman or cursive letters or Arabic or Roman numbers and:
(1) Shall contain the word “cooperative,” “corporation,” “company,” “incorporated,” or “limited,” or shall contain an abbreviation of one of such words;
(2) Shall not contain any word or phrase which indicates or implies that the foreign electric cooperative is organized for any purpose other than one or more of the purposes permitted by its articles of incorporation;
(3) Shall not be the same as or confusingly similar to:
(A) The name of any electric membership corporation or other corporation, whether for profit or not for profit, existing under the laws of this state;
(B) The name of any foreign electric cooperative or other corporation, whether for profit or not for profit, authorized to transact business in this state;
(C) A name the exclusive right to which is at the time reserved in the manner provided in Chapter 3 of Title 14, the “Georgia Nonprofit Corporation Code,” Chapter 2 of Title 14, the “Georgia Business Corporation Code,” or in this article;
(D) The name of a corporation which has in effect a registration of its corporate name as provided in Chapter 2 of Title 14, the “Georgia Business Corporation Code”; or
(E) Any name prohibited by any other law of this state.
(b) Whenever a foreign electric cooperative is unable to obtain a certificate of authority to transact business in this state because its corporate name does not comply with subparagraphs (a)(3)(A) through (a)(3)(D) of this Code section, it may nonetheless apply for authority to transact business in this state by adding to its corporate name in such application a word, abbreviation, or other distinctive and distinguishing element, such as, for example, the name of the state of its incorporation in parenthesis. If in the judgment of the Secretary of State the corporate name with such addition would comply with subparagraphs (a)(3)(A) through (a)(3)(D) of this Code section, those subparagraphs shall not be a bar to the issuance to such foreign electric cooperative of a certificate of authority to transact business in this state. In such case, any such certificate issued to such foreign electric cooperative shall be issued in its corporate name with such additions; and the foreign electric cooperative shall use such corporate name with such additions in all its dealings with the Secretary of State and in the conduct of its affairs in this state.
(c) Nothing in this Code section shall:
(1) Prevent the use of the name of any electric membership corporation or other corporation, whether domestic or foreign, by a foreign electric cooperative where such electric membership corporation or corporation has consented to such use and the name of the foreign electric cooperative contains other words or characters which distinguish it from the name of the electric membership corporation or other corporation; or
(2) Abrogate or limit the law as to unfair competition or unfair trade practice nor derogate from the common law or principles of equity or the statutes of this state or of the United States with respect to the right to acquire and protect trade names and trademarks.
Whenever a foreign electric cooperative which is authorized to transact business in this state changes its name, such foreign electric cooperative shall, within 30 days after such change becomes effective, file an application for an amended certificate of authority in accordance with Code Section 46-3-462. If the foreign electric cooperative fails to file this application or if the name to which it has changed would be unavailable to the foreign electric cooperative on an original application for a certificate of authority, the certificate of authority of such foreign electric cooperative shall be suspended and it shall not thereafter transact any business in this state until it has filed the application or has changed its name to a name which is available to it under the laws of this state.
(a) A foreign electric cooperative, in order to procure a certificate of authority to transact business in this state, shall make application therefor to the Secretary of State, which application shall set forth:
(1) The name of the foreign electric cooperative and the jurisdiction under the laws of which it is incorporated;
(2) If the name of the foreign electric cooperative does not comply with Code Section 46-3-452 relating to the corporate name, the name of the foreign electric cooperative with the word or abbreviation or other distinctive and distinguishing element which it elects to add thereto for use in this state;
(3) The date of incorporation and the period of duration of the foreign electric cooperative;
(4) The address of the principal office or registered office of the foreign electric cooperative in the jurisdiction under the laws of which it is incorporated;
(5) The address of the proposed registered office of the foreign electric cooperative in this state and the name of its proposed registered agent in this state at such address;
(6) A brief statement of the purpose or purposes which the foreign electric cooperative proposes to pursue in the transaction of business in this state;
(7) The names and respective addresses of the four principal officers of the foreign electric cooperative;
(8) A statement of the number of members of the foreign electric cooperative; and
(9) Such additional information as may be necessary or appropriate in order to enable the Secretary of State to determine whether such foreign electric cooperative is entitled to a certificate of authority to transact business in this state.
(b) The application shall be accompanied by a consent to appointment as registered agent, as provided for in subsection (c) of Code Section 46-3-457.
(c) Such application shall be made on forms prescribed and furnished by the Secretary of State and shall be executed by the foreign electric cooperative by its president or a vice-president or by its secretary or an assistant secretary.
(a) The application of the foreign electric cooperative for a certificate of authority shall be delivered to the Secretary of State for filing as provided in Code Section 46-3-174, together with a copy of its articles of incorporation and all amendments thereto, or, in lieu thereof, if provided by its jurisdiction of incorporation, a copy of its latest restated, composite, or consolidated articles of incorporation and all amendments subsequent thereto, either of which copy shall have been duly authenticated by the proper officer of its jurisdiction of incorporation within 90 days of the date the application is filed under this subsection.
(b) Upon filing the application, the Secretary of State shall issue and deliver to the foreign electric cooperative or its representative a certificate of authority to transact business in this state.
Upon the issuance of a certificate of authority by the Secretary of State, the foreign electric cooperative shall be authorized to transact business in this state for those purposes set forth in its application. Such authority shall continue so long as the foreign electric cooperative retains its authority to do such business in its jurisdiction of incorporation and so long as its authority to do business in this state has not been suspended, revoked, or surrendered as provided in this article.
(a) Each foreign electric cooperative authorized to transact business in this state shall have and continuously maintain in this state:
(1) A registered office which may be, but need not be, the same as its place of business in this state; and
(2) A registered agent, which agent may be a natural person resident in this state whose business office is identical with such registered office, a domestic corporation, or a foreign corporation authorized to transact business in this state, such domestic or foreign corporation having a business office identical with such registered office.
(b) The Secretary of State shall maintain current records, alphabetically arranged by corporate name, of the address of each foreign electric cooperative's registered office and of the name and address of each foreign electric cooperative's registered agent.
(c) No registered agent shall be appointed without his or its prior written consent. Such written consent shall be filed with or as part of the document first appointing any registered agent and shall be in such form as the Secretary of State may prescribe.
(a) A foreign electric cooperative authorized to transact business in this state may change its registered office or change its registered agent, or both, upon filing in the office of the Secretary of State a statement setting forth:
(1) The name of the foreign electric cooperative;
(2) The address of its then registered office;
(3) If the address of its registered office is to be changed, the new address of the registered office;
(4) The name of its then registered agent;
(5) If its registered agent is to be changed, the name of its successor registered agent and the written consent of such successor agent to his or its appointment; and
(6) That the address of its registered office and the address of the business office of its registered agent, as changed, will be identical.
(b) Such statement shall be executed by an officer of the foreign electric cooperative and delivered to the Secretary of State. If the Secretary of State finds that such statement conforms to this article, he shall file such statement in his office; and upon such filing, the change of address of the registered office or the change of the registered agent, or both, as the case may be, shall become effective.
(c) A registered agent of a foreign electric cooperative may resign as such agent upon filing a written notice thereof with the Secretary of State. The appointment of such agent shall terminate 30 days after receipt of such notice by the Secretary of State. There shall be attached to such notice an affidavit of such agent, if an individual, or, if a corporation, of an officer thereof, that at least ten days prior to the date of filing such notice a written notice of the agent's intention to resign was mailed or delivered to the president, secretary, or treasurer of the foreign electric cooperative for which such agent is acting. Upon such resignation's becoming effective, the address of the business office of the resigned registered agent shall no longer be the address of the registered office of the foreign electric cooperative.
(d) A registered agent may change his business address and the address of the registered office of any foreign electric cooperative of which he is a registered agent to another place within the same county by filing a statement as required in subsection (a) of this Code section, except that such statement need be signed only by the registered agent and need not be responsive to paragraph (5) of subsection (a) of this Code section and must recite that a copy of the statement has been mailed or delivered to a representative of such foreign electric cooperative other than the notifying registered agent.
(a) The registered agent appointed pursuant to Code Section 46-3-458 by a foreign electric cooperative authorized to transact business in this state shall be an agent of such foreign electric cooperative upon whom any process, notice, or demand required or permitted by law to be served upon the foreign electric cooperative may be served in the manner provided by law for the service of a summons and complaint.
(b) Whenever a foreign electric cooperative doing business or having done business in this state shall fail to appoint or maintain a registered agent in this state, or whenever any such registered agent cannot with reasonable diligence be found at the registered office, or whenever the certificate of authority of a foreign electric cooperative shall be suspended or revoked, then the Secretary of State shall be an agent of such foreign electric cooperative upon whom any such process, notice, or demand may be served. Service on the Secretary of State of any such process, notice, or demand shall be made by delivering to and leaving with him, or with any person having charge of the corporation's division of his office, or with any other person or persons designated by the Secretary of State to receive such service, duplicate copies of such process, notice, or demand. In the event any such process, notice, or demand is served on the Secretary of State, he shall immediately cause one of such copies thereof to be forwarded by registered or certified mail or statutory overnight delivery, addressed to the foreign electric cooperative at its principal office in the jurisdiction under the laws of which it is incorporated. Any service so had on the Secretary of State shall be answerable not more than 30 days from the date so mailed by the Secretary of State.
(c) The Secretary of State shall keep a record of all processes, notices, and demands served upon him under this Code section and shall record therein the time of such service and his action with reference thereto.
(d) Nothing contained in this Code section shall limit or affect the right to serve any process, notice, or demand required or permitted by law to be served upon a foreign electric cooperative in any other manner permitted by law.
Whenever the articles of incorporation of a foreign electric cooperative authorized to transact business in this state are amended, such foreign electric cooperative shall, within 30 days after such amendment becomes effective, file in the office of the Secretary of State a copy of such amendment or, in lieu thereof, if provided for by its jurisdiction of incorporation, a copy of its restated, composite, or consolidated articles of incorporation reflecting such amendment, duly certified by the proper officer of its jurisdiction of incorporation; but the filing thereof shall not of itself enlarge or alter the purpose or purposes which such foreign electric cooperative is authorized to pursue in the transaction of business in this state, nor authorize such foreign electric cooperative to transact business in this state under any other name than the name set forth in its certificate of authority.
Whenever a foreign electric cooperative authorized to transact business in this state is a party to a statutory merger permitted by the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation and such foreign electric cooperative is the surviving entity, it shall, within 30 days after such merger becomes effective, file with the Secretary of State a copy of the articles or agreement of merger duly certified by the proper officer of the jurisdiction under the laws of which such statutory merger was effected; and it shall not be necessary for such foreign electric cooperative to procure either a new or amended certificate of authority to transact business in this state unless the name of such foreign electric cooperative is changed thereby or unless the foreign electric cooperative desires to pursue in this state other or additional purposes than those which it is then authorized to transact in this state.
(a) A foreign electric cooperative authorized to transact business in this state shall make application to the Secretary of State for an amended certificate of authority within 30 days after it:
(1) Changes its corporate name; or
(2) Enlarges, limits, or otherwise changes the purpose or purposes which it proposes to pursue in the transaction of business in this state.
(b) Such application shall be made on forms prescribed by the Secretary of State and shall be executed and filed in the same manner as an original application for a certificate of authority and shall set forth:
(1) The name of the foreign electric cooperative as it appears in its original application for a certificate of authority and the jurisdiction under the laws of which it is incorporated;
(2) The proposed amendment to its certificate of authority;
(3) If the amendment includes a change of name, a statement that the change of name has been effected under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation; and
(4) If the amendment enlarges, limits, or otherwise changes the business or businesses which it proposes to do in this state, a statement that it is authorized to do such business in its jurisdiction of incorporation.
(c) The issuance of an amended certificate of authority shall be governed by the same provisions, and the effect of its issuance shall be the same, as in the case of an original application for a certificate of authority.
(a) A foreign electric cooperative authorized to transact business in this state may withdraw from this state upon procuring from the Secretary of State a certificate of withdrawal. In order to procure such certificate of withdrawal, the foreign electric cooperative shall deliver to the Secretary of State an application for withdrawal, which shall set forth:
(1) The name of the foreign electric cooperative and the jurisdiction under the laws of which it is incorporated;
(2) That the foreign electric cooperative is not transacting business in this state;
(3) That the foreign electric cooperative surrenders its authority to transact business in this state;
(4) That the foreign electric cooperative revokes the authority of its registered agent in this state to accept service of process and consents that service of process in any action or proceeding based upon any cause of action that accrued in this state during the time the foreign electric cooperative was authorized to transact business in this state thereafter may be made on such foreign electric cooperative by service thereof on the Secretary of State; and
(5) A post office address to which the Secretary of State may mail a copy of any process against the foreign electric cooperative that may be served on him.
(b) The application for withdrawal shall be made on forms prescribed and furnished by the Secretary of State and shall be executed on behalf of the foreign electric cooperative by its president or a vice-president and attested by its secretary or an assistant secretary. If the foreign electric cooperative is in the hands of a receiver or trustee, the application shall be executed on behalf of the foreign electric cooperative by such receiver or trustee.
(c) Before the Secretary of State shall issue a certificate of withdrawal, the foreign electric cooperative shall secure from the state revenue commissioner a certificate that the foreign electric cooperative has met the requirements concerning reports and taxes.
(a) The application for withdrawal shall be delivered to the Secretary of State for filing as provided in Code Section 46-3-174. Upon filing the application, the Secretary of State shall issue and deliver to the foreign electric cooperative or its representative a certificate of withdrawal.
(b) Upon the issuance of such certificate of withdrawal, the authority of the foreign electric cooperative to transact business in this state shall cease.
(a) When a foreign electric cooperative authorized to transact business in this state is dissolved or its authority or existence is otherwise terminated or canceled in its jurisdiction of incorporation, or when such foreign electric cooperative is merged into or consolidated with another foreign electric cooperative, the foreign electric cooperative or its successor, receiver, or trustee shall deliver for filing with the Secretary of State a certificate of the appropriate official of its jurisdiction of incorporation attesting to the occurrence of any such event or an order or decree of a court of such jurisdiction directing the dissolution of such foreign electric cooperative, the termination of its existence, or the cancellation of its authority, together with a statement of the post office address to which the Secretary of State may mail a copy of any process against the foreign electric cooperative that may be served on him.
(b) The filing of such certificate or judgment shall be done in the same manner and shall have the same effect as the filing of an application for withdrawal; and the Secretary of State shall issue a certificate of withdrawal thereon which shall be returned to the foreign electric cooperative or its representative. Upon the issuance of such certificate of withdrawal, the authority of the foreign electric cooperative to transact business in this state shall cease.
(c) Upon the issuance of such certificate of withdrawal, the Secretary of State shall be the agent of the foreign electric cooperative upon whom any process, notice, or demand may be served in any action or proceeding based upon any cause of action accruing in this state prior to the issuance of such certificate. Such service and the action thereon shall be the same as provided in this article in other cases where the Secretary of State is agent for service.
(d) Before the Secretary of State shall issue a certificate of withdrawal, the foreign electric cooperative shall secure from the state revenue commissioner a certificate that the foreign electric cooperative has met the requirements concerning reports and taxes.
(a) The certificate of authority of a foreign electric cooperative to transact business in this state may be revoked by the Secretary of State upon the conditions prescribed in this Code section when:
(1) The foreign electric cooperative has failed to file its annual report to the Secretary of State within the time required by Code Section 46-3-481, or has failed to pay any fees or penalties prescribed by this article when they have become due and payable, or has failed to file its annual license or occupation tax return on or before the day such return becomes due;
(2) The foreign electric cooperative has failed to appoint and maintain a registered agent in this state as required by Code Section 46-3-457;
(3) The foreign electric cooperative has failed, after change of its registered office or registered agent, to file in the office of the Secretary of State a statement of such change as required by Code Section 46-3-458;
(4) The foreign electric cooperative has failed to file in the office of the Secretary of State any articles of merger within the time prescribed by Code Section 46-3-461;
(5) The foreign electric cooperative has failed to make application to the Secretary of State for an amended certificate of authority under the circumstances and within the time prescribed by Code Section 46-3-462; or
(6) A misrepresentation has been made of any material matter in any application, report, affidavit, or other document submitted by such foreign electric cooperative pursuant to this article.
(b) No certificate of authority of a foreign electric cooperative shall be revoked by the Secretary of State unless:
(1) He shall have given the foreign electric cooperative not less than 60 days' notice thereof by mail addressed to its registered office in this state; and
(2) The foreign electric cooperative shall fail prior to revocation to file such annual report, or pay such fees or penalties, or file its annual license or occupation tax return, or file the required statement of change of registered agent or registered office, or file such articles of amendment or articles of merger or make application for such amended certificate of authority, or correct such misrepresentation.
(a) Upon revoking any such certificate of authority, the Secretary of State shall:
(1) Issue a certificate of revocation in duplicate;
(2) File one of such certificates in his office; and
(3) Mail to such foreign electric cooperative at its registered office in this state or, if the foreign electric cooperative has no such registered office, at its last known address either within or without this state as shown by the records of the Secretary of State, a notice of such revocation accompanied by one of such certificates.
(b) Upon issuance of such certificate of revocation, the authority of the foreign electric cooperative to transact business in this state shall cease.
(a) A foreign electric cooperative whose certificate of authority has been revoked by the Secretary of State under the conditions prescribed by Code Section 46-3-466 shall be reinstated by the Secretary of State by the issuance of a certificate of reinstatement. The certificate of reinstatement may be issued at any time within five years from the date of the certificate of revocation upon approval of an application for reinstatement executed by the foreign electric cooperative as provided in Code Section 46-3-173 and filed with the Secretary of State as provided in Code Section 46-3-174. The Secretary of State shall issue the certificate of reinstatement whenever it is established to the satisfaction of the Secretary of State that in fact there was no cause for revocation or whenever the omission or delinquency resulting in revocation has been corrected and payment made of all fees, taxes, and penalties which accrued before revocation.
(b) The application for reinstatement shall be accompanied by an amount equal to the total of all fees, taxes, and penalties which would have been payable for the years or parts thereof during the period between revocation and reinstatement and a reinstatement filing fee of $ 25.00. Reinstatement shall not be authorized if the name of the foreign electric cooperative is not available in accordance with Code Section 46-3-452 unless the application for reinstatement includes an adoption of a corporate name that is available. In the event an application for reinstatement adopts a new corporate name for the foreign electric cooperative as provided in Code Section 46-3-453, the original certificate of authority shall be deemed to have been amended to change the name of the foreign electric cooperative to the name so adopted. In the event that a foreign electric cooperative amends its articles of incorporation or is a party to a merger during the period between revocation and reinstatement, it shall accompany its application for reinstatement with a duly executed copy of such amendment, or of the articles or agreement of merger, pursuant to Code Sections 46-3-460 and 46-3-461. Upon the issuance of the certificate of reinstatement, the foreign electric cooperative's authorization to transact business in this state, pursuant to its original application to transact business, shall be deemed to have continued from the date of the certificate of revocation.
(c) The application for reinstatement shall be in substantially the following form:
Application for Reinstatement of Certificate of Authority
To: The Secretary of State
Atlanta, Georgia
Pursuant to the provisions of Code Section 46-3-468, the undersigned foreign electric cooperative hereby applies for a certificate of reinstatement of a foreign electric cooperative and, for that purpose, submits the following:
First: The name of the foreign electric cooperative at the date of the certificate of revocation was _____.
Second: The new name by which the foreign electric cooperative will hereafter be known is _____.
Third: The certificate of authority to transact business in the State of Georgia was revoked on _____ for failure to follow the requirements stated in Code Section 46-3-466.
Fourth: The address, including street and number, of its registered office in Georgia is _____; and the name of its registered agent in Georgia at that address is _____.
Fifth: The application is accompanied by all delinquent reports together with the filing fees and penalties required by Article 4 of Chapter 3 of Title 46, the “Georgia Electric Membership Corporation Act.”
Date _____, _____.
| | _________________________________________________ | | --- | --- | | | (President or vice-president) | | | _________________________________________________ | | | (Secretary or assistant secretary) |
(a) A foreign electric cooperative that is required under this article to obtain a certificate of authority but fails to do so shall be liable to this state for the years or parts thereof during which it transacted business in this state without a certificate of authority, in an amount equal to all fees which would have been imposed by this article upon such foreign electric cooperative had it duly applied for and received a certificate of authority to transact business in this state as required by this article and thereafter filed all reports required by this article, plus all penalties imposed by this article. The Attorney General, at the direction of the Secretary of State, shall bring proceedings in the name of the state to recover all amounts due this state under this Code section.
(b) No foreign electric cooperative that is required under this article to obtain a certificate of authority shall be permitted to maintain any action or proceeding in any court of this state unless before commencement of the action it shall have obtained such a certificate. No action or proceeding may be maintained in any court of this state by any foreign electric cooperative that is the successor or assignee of such foreign electric cooperative on any right, claim, or demand arising out of the transaction of business by such foreign electric cooperative in this state unless before commencement of the action a certificate of authority shall have been obtained by such foreign electric cooperative or by a foreign electric cooperative which has acquired all or substantially all of its assets.
(c) The failure of a foreign electric cooperative to obtain a certificate of authority to transact business in this state shall render voidable any contract of such foreign electric cooperative arising out of business transacted in this state at the instance of any other party to such contract; but such voidability may be cured by the foreign electric cooperative's obtaining a certificate of authority, provided that such certificate of authority is obtained prior to final judgment in any action wherein this subsection is relied upon. The failure of such foreign electric cooperative to obtain a certificate of authority shall not prevent such foreign electric cooperative from defending any action or proceeding in any court of this state, nor shall any party avail himself of the benefit of subsection (b) of this Code section except upon motion prior to judgment.
(a) Each electric membership corporation and each foreign electric cooperative authorized to transact business in this state shall file, within the time prescribed by this article, an annual report setting forth:
(1) The name of the electric membership corporation or foreign electric cooperative and the jurisdiction under the laws of which it is incorporated;
(2) The address of the registered office of the electric membership corporation or foreign electric cooperative in this state and the name of its registered agent in this state at such address and, in the case of a foreign electric cooperative, the address of its principal office or registered office in the jurisdiction under the laws of which it is incorporated;
(3) The names and respective addresses of the three principal officers of the electric membership corporation or foreign electric cooperative; and
(4) Such additional information as may be necessary or appropriate as determined by the Secretary of State for the performance of his duties under this article.
(b) Such annual report shall be made on forms prescribed by the Secretary of State; and the information therein contained shall be given as of the date of the execution of the report. The Secretary of State shall mail such report forms to the last known address of each electric membership corporation and foreign electric cooperative; however, the failure of any electric membership corporation or foreign electric cooperative to receive such forms shall not relieve that electric membership corporation or foreign electric cooperative of its responsibility to obtain appropriate forms, to complete them, and to file them with the Secretary of State. In the event an electric membership corporation or foreign electric cooperative has not filed a report within two previous calendar years, the Secretary of State shall not be required to mail to such electric membership corporation or foreign electric cooperative the required forms. The report shall be executed for the electric membership corporation or foreign electric cooperative by its president, a vice-president, secretary, an assistant secretary, treasurer, or an assistant treasurer. If the electric membership corporation or foreign electric cooperative is in the hands of a receiver or trustee, the report shall be executed on behalf of the electric membership corporation or foreign electric cooperative by such receiver or trustee.
The annual report of an electric membership corporation or foreign electric cooperative shall be delivered to the Secretary of State between January 1 and April 1 of each year, except that the initial annual report of a foreign electric cooperative shall be filed with its application for a certificate of authority. The initial annual report of an electric membership corporation shall be filed within 90 days after the day its articles of incorporation are delivered to the Secretary of State for filing, except that the initial annual report of an electric membership corporation whose articles of incorporation are delivered to the Secretary of State for filing subsequent to October 1 shall be filed between January 1 and April 1 of the year next succeeding the calendar year in which its certificate of incorporation was issued by the Secretary of State. Proof to the satisfaction of the Secretary of State that prior to 12:00 Midnight on the last day of such filing period such report was deposited in the United States mail in a sealed envelope, properly addressed, with first-class postage prepaid, shall be deemed a compliance with this requirement. If the Secretary of State finds that such report conforms to the requirements of this article, he shall file the same. If he finds that it does not so conform, he shall promptly return the same to the electric membership corporation or foreign electric cooperative for any necessary corrections, in which event the penalties prescribed in Code Section 46-3-540 for failure to file such report within the time provided in this Code section shall not apply if such report is corrected to conform to the requirements of this article and returned to the Secretary of State within one calendar month from the date it was returned by him to the electric membership corporation or foreign electric cooperative.
The Secretary of State shall charge and collect in accordance with this article:
(1) Fees for filing documents and issuing certificates; and
(2) Miscellaneous charges.
The Secretary of State shall charge and collect for:
| | (1) | Filing articles of incorporation and issuing a certificate of incorporation․․ | ․․․$ 15.00 | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | | (2) | Filing articles of amendment and issuing a certificate of amendment․․․․․․․․․․ | ․․․․․15.00 | | | (3) | Filing restated articles of incorporation and issuing a certificate of restated articles | ․․․․․15.00 | | | (4) | Filing articles of merger or consolidation and issuing a certificate of merger or consolidation | ․․․․․20.00 | | | (5) | Filing an application to reserve a corporate name generally․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․ | ․․․․․․3.00 | | | (6) | Filing an application to reserve a corporate name for a period of five years pursuant to subsection (c) of Code Section 46-3-221 | ․․․․․30.00 | | | (7) | Filing a notice of transfer of a reserved corporate name․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․ | ․․․․․․3.00 | | | (8) | Filing a statement of change of address of registered office or change of registered agent, or both | ․․․․․․3.00 | | | (9) | Filing a statement of intent to dissolve․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․ | ․․․․․․1.00 | | | (10) | Filing a statement of revocation of voluntary dissolution proceedings․․․․․․․․ | ․․․․․․1.00 | | | (11) | Filing articles of dissolution․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․ | ․․․․․․1.00 | | | (12) | Filing an application of a foreign electric cooperative for certificate of authority to transact business in this state and issuing a certificate of authority | ․․․․100.00 | | | (13) | Filing an application of a foreign electric cooperative for an amended certificate of authority to transact business in this state and issuing an amended certificate of authority | ․․․$ 20.00 | | | (14) | Filing a copy of an amendment to the articles of incorporation of a foreign electric cooperative holding a certificate of authority to transact business in this state | ․․․․․10.00 | | | (15) | Filing a copy of articles of merger of a foreign electric cooperative holding a certificate of authority to transact business in this state | ․․․․․20.00 | | | (16) | Filing an application for withdrawal of a foreign electric cooperative and issuing a certificate of withdrawal | ․․․․․10.00 | | | (17) | Filing any other statement or report, except an annual report, of an electric membership corporation or foreign electric cooperative | ․․․․․․3.00 | | | (18) | Filing the annual report of an electric membership corporation or foreign electric cooperative | ․․․․․․5.00 |
The Secretary of State shall charge and collect:
(1) For furnishing a certified copy of any document, instrument, or paper relating to an electric membership corporation or foreign electric cooperative, 30¢ per page and $1.00 for the certificate and affixing the seal thereto;
(2) For furnishing a certificate of search or a certificate of good standing, $5.00;
(3) At the time of any service of process on him as resident agent of an electric membership corporation or foreign electric cooperative, $10.00, which amount may be recovered as taxable costs by the party to the action causing such service to be made if such party prevails in the action.
The fee to be allowed to publishers for publishing any notice required under this article shall be $15.00 for each insertion.
The Secretary of State shall have such power and authority as is reasonably necessary to enable him to administer this article efficiently and to perform the duties imposed upon him by this article, including, without limitation, the power and authority to employ from time to time such additional personnel as in his judgment are required for those purposes.
The Secretary of State may propound to any electric membership corporation or foreign electric cooperative subject to this article, and to any officer or director thereof, such interrogatories as may be reasonably necessary and proper to enable him to ascertain whether such electric membership corporation or foreign electric cooperative had complied with all of the provisions of this article applicable to such electric membership corporation or foreign electric cooperative. Such interrogatories shall be answered within 30 days after the mailing thereof or within such additional time as shall be fixed by the Secretary of State; and the answers thereto shall be full and complete and shall be made in writing and under oath. If such interrogatories are directed to an individual, they shall be answered by him; and, if directed to an electric membership corporation or foreign electric cooperative, they shall be answered by the president, a vice-president, secretary, an assistant secretary, treasurer, or an assistant treasurer thereof. The Secretary of State need not file any document to which such interrogatories relate until such interrogatories are answered as provided in this Code section and not then if the answers thereto disclose that such document is not in conformity with this article. The Secretary of State shall certify to the Attorney General, for such action as the Attorney General may deem appropriate, all interrogatories and answers thereto which disclose a violation of any of the provisions of this article.
Interrogatories propounded by the Secretary of State and the answers thereto shall not be open to public inspection, nor shall the Secretary of State disclose any facts or information obtained therefrom except insofar as his official duty may require the same to be made public or in the event such interrogatories or the answers thereto are required for evidence in any criminal proceedings or in any other action by this state.
(a) If the Secretary of State refuses to grant a name certificate, revokes the reservation of a corporate name as provided in subsection (e) of Code Section 46-3-221, or refuses to file any articles of incorporation, amendment, merger, consolidation, or dissolution, or any other document required by this article to be filed by the Secretary of State, he shall, within ten days after application for the name certificate is made, or his revocation of a reservation of a corporate name, or the delivery of any of the aforesaid documents to him, give written notice of his action to the person making such application, or having made such reservation of corporate name, or delivering such document, which notice shall specify the date of and the reasons for his action.
(b) Within 40 days from the date of such action by the Secretary of State, such person may appeal to the superior court of the county in which the registered office of the electric membership corporation or foreign electric cooperative affected by such action is, or is proposed to be, situated by filing with the clerk of such court a petition setting forth a copy of such application, or of such reservation, or of the articles or other document sought to be filed, and a copy of the written notice from the Secretary of State of his action; whereupon the matter shall promptly be tried de novo by the court without a jury. The court shall either sustain the action of the Secretary of State or direct him to take such action as the court may deem proper.
(c) If the Secretary of State revokes the certificate of authority to transact business in this state of any foreign electric cooperative, pursuant to Code Sections 46-3-466 and 46-3-467, such foreign electric cooperative may appeal to the superior court of the county where the registered office of such foreign electric cooperative in this state is situated, by filing with the clerk of such court a petition setting forth a copy of its certificate of authority to transact business in this state and a copy of the notice of revocation given by the Secretary of State; whereupon the matter shall be tried de novo by the court without a jury. The court shall either sustain the action of the Secretary of State or direct him to take such action as the court may deem proper.
(d) Appeals from all final orders and judgments entered by the superior court under this Code section in review of any ruling or decision of the Secretary of State may be taken to the Court of Appeals or the Supreme Court in the same manner as in other civil cases.
(a) Each electric membership corporation and each foreign electric cooperative that fails or refuses to file its annual report for any year shall be subject to a civil penalty of $25.00 for each year in which it so fails or refuses.
(b) Each foreign electric cooperative that transacts business in this state without authority shall, after 30 days, be subject to a civil penalty of $500.00 for each year or part thereof during which it so transacts business.
(c) The Attorney General, at the direction of the Secretary of State, shall bring proceedings in the name of the state to enforce the penalties imposed by this Code section.
(d) When an electric membership corporation or foreign electric cooperative fails or refuses to answer truthfully and fully, within the time prescribed by Code Section 46-3-521, interrogatories propounded by the Secretary of State in accordance with Code Section 46-3-521, the Secretary of State shall certify such fact to the Attorney General and shall concurrently mail to the electric membership corporation or foreign electric cooperative at its registered office, or, if there is no registered office, at its last known address as shown by the records of the Secretary of State, a notice that such certification has been made, together with a statement of the facts pertinent thereto. Within 60 days of the date of such certification, the Attorney General shall apply in the name of the state to the superior court of the county where the registered office or principal office of the electric membership corporation, as shown by the records of the Secretary of State, is situated for an order compelling the electric membership corporation to answer the interrogatories truthfully and fully, unless prior to the filing of such application the electric membership corporation shall have so answered the interrogatories. If the electric membership corporation fails or refuses to comply with the order within 30 days from the date of its entry, such failure or refusal may be considered a contempt of that court; and the electric membership corporation may be fined therefor in any amount not exceeding $500.00.
(e) Each foreign electric cooperative that fails to comply with Code Section 46-3-460 shall be subject to a civil penalty of $50.00 for each such violation.
(a) When an officer or director of an electric membership corporation or foreign electric cooperative fails or refuses within the time prescribed by Code Section 46-3-521 to answer truthfully and fully interrogatories propounded to him by the Secretary of State in accordance with Code Section 46-3-521, the Secretary of State shall certify such fact to the Attorney General and shall concurrently mail to the officer or director a notice, addressed to such officer or director at the registered office of the electric membership corporation or foreign electric cooperative, or, if there is no such registered office, at the last known address of the electric membership corporation or foreign electric cooperative as shown by the records of the Secretary of State, that such certification has been made, together with a statement of the facts pertinent thereto. Within 60 days of the date of such certification, the Attorney General shall apply in the name of the state to the superior court of the county where the registered office or principal office of the electric membership corporation, as shown by the records of the Secretary of State, is situated for an order compelling the officer or director to answer the interrogatories truthfully and fully, unless prior to the filing of such application the officer or director shall have so answered the interrogatories. If the officer or director fails or refuses to comply with the order within 30 days from the date of its entry, such failure or refusal may be considered a contempt of that court; and the officer or director may be fined therefor in any amount not exceeding $500.00.
(b) Each officer or director of an electric membership corporation or foreign electric cooperative who signs any articles, statement, report, application, or other document filed with the Secretary of State which is known to such officer or director to be false in any material respect shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, may be fined in any amount not exceeding $500.00.
As used in this chapter:
(1) “Capacity resource” means an electric plant, a long-term power purchase, or a demand-side capacity option.
(2) “Commission” means the Georgia Public Service Commission.
(3) “Construction” means clearing of land, excavation, or other substantial activity leading to the operation of an electric plant other than planning, land surveying, land acquisition, subsurface exploration, design work, licensing or other regulatory activity, contracting for construction, or environmental protection measures and activities associated therewith.
(4) “Demand-side capacity option” means a program proposed by a utility or the commission for the reduction of future electricity requirements the utility's Georgia retail customers would otherwise impose, including, but not limited to, conservation, load management, cogeneration, and renewable energy technologies.
(5) “Electric plant” means any facility, or the portion of a facility, that produces electricity or that, at the time application for certification is made pursuant to this chapter, is intended to produce electricity for a utility's Georgia retail customers. “Electric plant” includes the realty and ancillary facilities for the construction of the plant.
(6) “Long-term power purchase” means a purchase of electric capacity and energy for a period exceeding one year, the principal purpose of which is to supply the requirements of the Georgia retail customers of a utility.
(7) “Plan” means an integrated resource plan which contains the utility's electric demand and energy forecast for at least a 20 year period, contains the utility's program for meeting the requirements shown in its forecast in an economical and reliable manner, contains the utility's analysis of all capacity resource options, including both demand-side and supply-side options, and sets forth the utility's assumptions and conclusions with respect to the effect of each capacity resource option on the future cost and reliability of electric service. The plan shall also:
(A) Contain the size and type of facilities which are expected to be owned or operated in whole or in part by such utility and the construction of which is expected to commence during the ensuing ten years or such longer period as the commission deems necessary and shall identify all existing facilities intended to be removed from service during such period or upon completion of such construction;
(B) Contain practical alternatives to the fuel type and method of generation of the proposed electric generating facilities and set forth in detail the reasons for selecting the fuel type and method of generation;
(C) Contain a statement of the estimated impact of proposed and alternative generating plants on the environment and the means by which potential adverse impacts will be avoided or minimized;
(D) Indicate in detail the projected demand for electric energy for a 20 year period and the basis for determining the projected demand;
(E) Describe the utility's relationship to other utilities in regional associations, power pools, and networks;
(F) Identify and describe all major research projects and programs which will continue or commence in the succeeding three years and set forth the reasons for selecting specific areas of research;
(G) Identify and describe existing and planned programs and policies to discourage inefficient and excessive power use; and
(H) Provide any other information as may be required by the commission.
(8) “Supply-side capacity option” means an electric plant, a long-term power purchase, or any other source of additional energy.
(9) “Utility” means any electric supplier whose rates are fixed by the commission.
(a) On or before January 31, 1992, and at least every three years thereafter as may be determined by the commission, each utility shall file with the commission an integrated resource plan as described in this chapter.
(b) Not more than 60 days after a utility has filed its plan, the commission shall convene a public hearing on the adequacy of the plan. At the hearing any interested person may make comments to the commission regarding the contents and adequacy of the plan. After the hearing, the commission shall determine whether:
(1) The utility's forecast requirements are based on substantially accurate data and an adequate method of forecasting;
(2) The plan identifies and takes into account any present and projected reductions in the demand for energy which may result from measures to improve energy efficiency in the industrial, commercial, residential, and energy-producing sectors of the state; and
(3) The plan adequately demonstrates the economic, environmental, and other benefits to the state and to customers of the utility, associated with the following possible measures and sources of supply:
(A) Improvements in energy efficiency;
(B) Pooling of power;
(C) Purchases of power from neighboring states;
(D) Facilities which operate on alternative sources of energy;
(E) Facilities that operate on the principle of cogeneration or hydro-generation; and
(F) Other generation facilities and demand-side options.
(c) Within 120 days after the filing of each integrated resource plan, the commission shall approve and adopt an integrated resource plan.
(a) After January 31, 1992, no utility shall commence the construction of an electric plant, sell an existing plant or any portion thereof which is included in the retail rate base or which has been certified, enter into a long-term purchase of electric power, or make expenditures for a demand-side capacity option for serving the utility's Georgia retail customers without having first obtained from the commission a certificate that public convenience and necessity requires, or will require, such construction, sale, purchase, or expenditure.
(b) No utility shall increase or decrease the capacity of:
(1) A generating unit of an electric power plant;
(2) A long-term power purchase; or
(3) A demand-side capacity option
by more than 15 percent of its demonstrated capacity in megawatts for serving the utility's Georgia retail customers without first obtaining a certificate or an amendment to a certificate, as appropriate, that public convenience or necessity requires or will require such increase or decrease; provided, however, no certificate shall be required if the increase or decrease is caused by a rule, regulation, or law mandated by any duly constituted local, state, or federal governmental body or agency or is caused by power pooling, forced or maintenance outages, or short-term sales for a period of less than one year.
(a) The commission shall issue a certificate upon a finding that there is or will be a need for the proposed capacity resource at the time that the proposed resource is proposed to be utilized to assure an economical and reliable supply of electric power and energy for the Georgia retail customers of a utility, that the certificate is required by the public convenience and necessity, and that the certificate complies with the provisions of this chapter and the rules of the commission.
(b) The utility's application for a certificate shall be accompanied by its current integrated resource plan, whether or not previously filed.
(c) The utility's application for a certificate shall contain a cost-benefit analysis covering the estimated useful life of all capacity resource options considered in developing its current integrated resource plan. The estimated cost of the capacity resource proposed to be certificated shall be presented in such reasonable detail as the commission may require.
(a) A utility seeking a certificate or an amendment to a certificate shall make an application to the commission which contains the information required by this chapter.
(b) No sooner than 30 days after an application is made for a certificate or an amendment, the commission shall conduct a public hearing on the application. Within 300 days after filing of the first such application and within 180 days after filing of each application thereafter, the commission shall issue an order adopting a forecast of future Georgia retail electricity requirements of the utility and describing in what manner the prospective certificate relates to the integrated resource plan and either granting the requested certificate or denying the requested certificate and authorizing a specific alternative means of supplying the requirements found by the commission to exist. Each certificate shall describe the capacity resource, its approximate construction or implementation schedule, and its approved cost. If the commission fails to so act within 300 days after the first such application has been made and within 180 days after each subsequent application has been made, the forecast application and certificate shall be deemed granted by operation of law.
(c) Within 60 days after the filing of an integrated resource plan or an application has been made with the commission for a certificate or amendment, the commission shall establish a fee therefor and notify the applicant thereof. The fee amount so established shall be in an amount reasonably necessary to defray the expense of the commission in reviewing the plan or determining whether to grant the application, including but not limited to the expense of conducting any certification proceedings required for such application. The fee so established shall not be recoverable from ratepayers of the applicant if the application or certification is denied nor shall the fee for review of the plan or any subsequent amendment thereto be recoverable from ratepayers. Such fee must be remitted to the commission before the commission may take any further action upon the application. For purposes of any time periods established in subsection (b) of this Code section and subsection (c) of Code Section 46-3A-2, an application shall be deemed to have been filed only when the fee established therefor has been remitted to the commission. In the event a joint application is filed by more than one utility, a single such fee only shall be required. The funds assessed and collected pursuant to this subsection shall be deposited in the state's general fund.
Upon application of a utility or upon its own motion, the commission may reexamine any certificate granted under this chapter to determine whether new forecasts of future requirements require the modification of the construction, purchase, sale, or expenditure for a certificated capacity resource. If upon such reexamination the commission finds that the certificated capacity resource is no longer needed or that any additional certificated capacity resource is needed to assure a reliable supply of electric power and energy for the utility's Georgia retail customers, the commission may modify or revoke the certificate. If the utility cancels, abandons, or increases some or all of the capacity resource as a result of such modification or revocation of the certificate, it may recover through any rate-making vehicle over a reasonable period of time, absent fraud, concealment, failure to disclose a material fact, imprudence, or criminal misconduct, the amount of its investment in such capacity resource, along with the cost of carrying the unamortized portion of that investment, net of actual salvage value, to the extent such investment is verified as made pursuant to the certificate. The commission shall disallow such investment and costs resulting from fraud, concealment, failure to disclose a material fact, imprudence, or criminal misconduct.
(a) So long as the commission has not modified or revoked the certificate for an electric plant under Code Section 46-3A-6 and to the extent the utility seeks to add to its rate base upon completion of the plant construction costs that do not exceed 100 percent of those approved by the commission under Code Section 46-3A-5, Code Section 46-3A-6, or subsection (b) of this Code section, that construction cost amount may be excluded from the rate base only on the basis of fraud, concealment, failure to disclose a material fact, imprudence, or criminal misconduct. Inclusion of costs in excess of 100 percent of those approved by the commission shall not be permitted unless shown by the utility to have been reasonable and prudent.
(b) In addition to the review of the continuing need for an electric plant under construction prescribed in Code Section 46-3A-6, the commission, upon its own motion, may conduct or the utility may request that the commission conduct an ongoing review of such construction as it proceeds. Every one to three years, or at such lesser intervals upon the direction of the commission or request of the utility, the applicant shall file a progress report and any proposed revisions in the cost estimates, construction schedule, or project configuration. Within 180 days of such filing, the commission shall verify and approve or disapprove expenditures made pursuant to the certificate and shall approve, disapprove, or modify any proposed revisions. If the commission fails to so act within 180 days after such filing, the previous expenditures and any proposed revisions shall be deemed approved by operation of law.
(c) If the commission verifies expenditures as made pursuant to a certificated capacity resource, that verification forecloses subsequent exclusion of those costs from the utility's rate base, absent fraud, concealment, failure to disclose a material fact, imprudence, or criminal misconduct.
(d) If the commission disapproves of all or part of the proposed revisions and the utility cancels construction of some or all of the facility as a result of the disapproval, the utility may recover through any rate-making vehicle over a reasonable period of time, absent fraud, concealment, failure to disclose a material fact, imprudence, or criminal misconduct, the amount of its actual investment, net of actual salvage value, in the partially completed portion of the facility along with the cost of carrying the unamortized balance of that investment to the extent such investment is verified as made pursuant to the certificate.
The approved or actual cost, whichever is less, of purchase of any certificated long-term power purchase shall be recovered in rates by the utility, along with an additional sum as determined by the commission to encourage such purchases. The commission shall consider lost revenues, if any, changed risks, and an equitable sharing of benefits between the utility and its retail customers.
The approved or actual cost, whichever is less, of any certificated demand-side capacity option shall be recovered by the utility in rates, along with an additional sum as determined by the commission to encourage the development of such resources. The commission shall consider lost revenues, if any, changed risks, and an equitable sharing of benefits between the utility and its retail customers.
In setting rates for any certificated capacity resource, the commission shall consider changed revenues and changed risks, if any. The commission's decision in any certification, recertification, modification, or construction review proceeding shall be based on evidence of record. Compliance with the provisions of the certificate as approved or modified by the commission shall result in a presumption of prudence. The commission's findings, although subject to judicial review, shall not be subject to relitigation in any other proceeding; provided, however, the issuance of a certificate under this Code section shall not preempt any duly constituted local, state, or federal governmental body or agency from its regulation of environmental or safety matters incidental to construction of electric generating plants.
This chapter shall not apply to any provider of wholesale or retail electric service whose rates are not fixed by the commission.
The commission may bring a civil action to enjoin the violation of any rule, order, or regulation established by the commission for the safe installation and operation of all natural gas transmission and distribution facilities within this state.
As used in this article, the term “person” means any corporation, whether public or private; company; individual; firm; partnership; or association.
(a) No person shall construct or operate in intrastate commerce within this state any pipeline or distribution system, or any extension thereof, for the transportation, distribution, or sale of natural or manufactured gas without first obtaining from the commission a certificate that the public convenience and necessity require such construction or operation. In addition, no person shall sell natural or manufactured gas from such pipeline or acquire ownership or control of such pipeline or distribution system, whether directly or indirectly, without obtaining from the commission a certificate of public convenience and necessity.
(b) This article shall not be construed to require any gas distribution system to secure a certificate for an extension within any municipality within which such gas distribution system has lawfully commenced operations prior to February 17, 1956, or for an extension within or to territory already served by such gas distribution system, which extension is necessary in the ordinary course of business, or for substitute facilities within or to any municipality or territory already served by such gas distribution system, or for an extension into territory contiguous to that already served by such gas distribution system and not receiving similar service from another such person if no certificate of public convenience and necessity has been issued to or applied for by any other person covering such territory.
(c) As to distribution and sales in intrastate commerce, all gas pipeline systems shall be subject to the regulation and jurisdiction of the commission in all respects, including, but not limited to, rates, charges, rules, regulations, service, financing, accounts, and such other matters involving a privately owned gas public utility distribution system as are subject to the regulation or jurisdiction of the commission.
The manner and form of application for a certificate of public convenience and necessity provided for in Code Section 46-4-21 shall be established by such rules and regulations as the commission may from time to time prescribe. Upon the receipt of any such application, the commission shall cause notice thereof to be given by personal service or by mail to the chief executive officer of any municipality affected and to any person serving the territory affected, and shall publish such notice once a week for three consecutive weeks in some newspaper of general circulation in each territory affected.
The commission shall have power, after hearing, to issue the certificate of public convenience and necessity, as prayed for, or to refuse to issue the same, or to issue it for the construction, operation, or acquisition of a portion only of the contemplated pipeline or distribution system or extension thereof.
(a) Any person engaged in the construction or operation of any pipeline or distribution system, or any extension thereof, as of February 17, 1956, shall be entitled to receive a certificate of public convenience and necessity from the commission authorizing that person to continue the construction or operation of such pipeline or distribution system, or any extension thereof, in the territory being served by that person on February 17, 1956, if by February 17, 1957, that person filed maps with the commission showing the territory being served by that person.
(b) If, pursuant to subsection (a) of this Code section, more than one person filed maps indicating service in the same territory, the commission shall, after a hearing conducted after the giving of reasonable notice to the interested parties, determine from such evidence as it may reasonably require which of such persons shall be entitled to the certificate of public convenience and necessity. In making such determination, the commission shall consider the ability of such persons to furnish thereafter reasonably adequate service in the territory in question.
(c) Pending the granting of a certificate as provided in this Code section, a person applying for such certificate under this Code section may lawfully continue the construction or operation of any pipeline or distribution system, or any extension thereof, in the territory being served by such person on February 17, 1956.
(a) In determining whether a certificate of public convenience and necessity shall be granted, the commission must consider the following:
(1) Whether existing gas pipelines or distribution systems are adequate to meet the reasonable public needs;
(2) The volume of demand for such gas, and whether such demand and that reasonably to be anticipated in the future can support already existing gas pipeline and distribution systems, if any, and also the pipeline or distribution system proposed by the applicant;
(3) The financial ability of the applicant to furnish adequate continuous service and to meet the financial obligations of the service which the applicant proposes to perform;
(4) The adequacy of the supply of gas to serve the public;
(5) The economic feasibility of the pipeline or distribution system and the propriety of the engineering and contracting fees, the expenses, and the financing charges and costs connected with the pipeline or distribution system; and
(6) The effect on existing revenues and service of other pipelines or distribution systems, and particularly whether the granting of the certificate will or may seriously impair existing public service.
(b) This Code section shall not be construed as exhaustively describing all factors which the commission may consider in its decision to grant or deny a certificate.
(c) If the applicant seeks a certificate of public convenience and necessity authorizing the applicant to acquire a gas pipeline or distribution system of a municipal corporation, the commission shall also consider whether the purchase price is reasonable in light of the present value of the system to be acquired. Issuance by the commission of a certificate of public convenience and necessity authorizing such acquisition is a determination by the commission, among other things, that the purchase price is the measure of the value of the system to be included in the applicant's rate base for rate-making purposes, subject to the depreciation thereafter allowed upon such system.
Whenever any person is engaged or is about to engage in the construction, operation, or acquisition of any gas pipeline or distribution system, or extension thereof, without having secured a certificate of public convenience and necessity as required by this article, any interested person may file a complaint with the commission. The commission may, with or without notice, make an order requiring the person complained of to cease and desist from such construction, operation, or acquisition until the commission makes and files its decision on said complaint or until the further order of the commission. The commission may, after a hearing conducted after reasonable notice, make such order and prescribe such terms and conditions with respect to the matter as are just and reasonable.
If any person in constructing or extending his pipeline or distribution system unreasonably interferes or is about to interfere unreasonably with any pipeline or distribution system or service of any other person, the commission, on its own initiative or on complaint of any person claiming to be injuriously affected, may, after a hearing conducted after reasonable notice, make such order and prescribe such terms and conditions with respect to the matter as are just and reasonable.
(a) At any time after notice and opportunity to be heard, and for reasonable cause, the commission may suspend, revoke, alter, or amend any certificate issued under this article if it appears that the holder of the certificate has willfully violated or refused to observe any of the lawful and reasonable orders, rules, or regulations prescribed by the commission or any other law of this state regulating these pipeline or distribution systems, or if in the opinion of the commission the holder of the certificate is not furnishing adequate service, or if the continuance of the certificate in its original form is incompatible with the public interest.
(a.1) Any certificate issued under this article shall be revoked or amended by the commission upon application to the commission by a person to provide natural gas service to a specified end-use customer, property owner, or developer who has requested natural gas service if the holder of the certificate has failed to begin construction or operation of any pipeline, or distribution system, or any extension thereof, in substantially all of the territory covered by such certificate. Once a person has filed such an application, the portion of the certificate of the territory for which the applicant is seeking to provide natural gas service to a specified end-use customer, property owner, or developer shall be deemed revoked or amended. The commission shall determine whether the applicant shall be entitled to a certificate for the territory that has been excluded from the certificate by revocation or amendment, whether such territory should be re-issued to the person who held the certificate at the time of the application, or whether such territory shall be deemed uncertificated. The commission shall make such determination within 90 days of the application and shall consider, in addition to the factors set forth in subsection (a) of Code Section 46-4-25, whether the applicant can offer service in a timely manner, and such other factors the commission deems in the public interest. The commission in determining whether to reissue a certificate to the person who held the certificate at the time of the application shall consider the length of time the certificate was held without service being provided. The newly certificated area shall be designed by the commission to serve the customers, property owners, or developers in question while ensuring a boundary with safety and public welfare as the focus.
(b) If and when the commission undertakes to revoke or modify any certificate on the ground that conditions are such as not to justify the number of certificates which have been granted within the territory involved, preference shall be given to certificates in order of the time of their issuance, so that those which have been issued later in time shall, other things being equal, be canceled rather than those issued earlier in time.
Any certificate of public convenience and necessity issued under this article may be transferred or hypothecated only upon application to and approval by the commission.
Whenever a certificate of public convenience and necessity has been issued to a gas distribution system and a controversy arises as to whether an extension of service should or should not be made within the territory included in the certificate, the commission shall have jurisdiction to determine whether or not such extension shall be made and, if so, upon what terms. In making this determination, the commission shall consider the economic feasibility of that particular extension and the supply of gas available therefor. This Code section shall not apply to extensions of gas distribution systems by municipalities and counties of this state.
The commission is authorized to adopt such rules and orders as it may deem necessary in the enforcement of this article. Without limiting its authority to adopt rules and orders in general, the commission may by such rules and orders determine not only the locations or territories to be served but also the volumes of gas to be sold by pipelines direct to consumers. The commission may also define what territories are contiguous to others.
Nothing in this article shall be construed to apply to liquefied petroleum gas sold in liquid form under pressure.
Notwithstanding any other statute or ordinance to the contrary, the requirements of this article for a certificate of public convenience and necessity shall apply to each and every individual and to each and every firm or corporation, whether public or private, excepting only municipal corporations and counties of this state.
In addition to the civil monetary penalty provided for in Code Section 46-4-35, the commission may bring a civil action to enjoin a violation of any provision of this article or of any rule, regulation, or order issued by the commission under this article. In order to obtain this equitable relief, the commission shall not be required to allege or prove that there is no adequate remedy at law.
(a) Any person who violates any provision of this article, or any rule, regulation, or order issued by the commission under this article, shall be subject to a civil penalty of not more than $1,000.00 for each day that such violation persists, provided that the maximum civil penalty shall not exceed $200,000.00 for any related series of violations.
(b) A civil penalty under subsection (a) of this Code section may be imposed by the commission only after notice and hearing. In determining the amount of the penalty, the commission shall consider the size of the business charged, the gravity of the violation, and the good faith of the person charged in attempting to achieve compliance after notice of a violation. The amount of such penalty may be collected by the commission in the manner provided in Code Section 9-11-69 for the enforcement of money judgments.
This article shall be known and may be cited as the “Underground Gas Storage Act.”
As used in this article, the term:
(1) “Gas” means natural gas or manufactured gas, or a combination of both.
(2) “Gas utility” means any individual, firm, corporation, organization, or other entity holding a certificate of public convenience and necessity issued by the commission authorizing the transportation, distribution, or sale of gas.
(3) “Underground reservoir” means any subsurface sand, strata, formation, aquifer, cavern, or void, whether natural or artificially created, which is suitable for the injection and storage of gas therein and for the withdrawal of gas therefrom.
The underground storage of gas, which permits the building of reserves for orderly withdrawal in periods of peak demand, will promote the economic development of the State of Georgia and provide for more economical distribution of gas to the domestic, commercial, and industrial consumers of this state, thereby serving the public interest. Therefore, the underground storage of gas by a gas utility is recognized and declared to be affected with a public interest; and all of the property used in such underground storage is recognized and declared to be devoted to public use.
(a) Any gas utility desiring to utilize or operate an underground reservoir shall first apply to the Public Service Commission for an order approving the proposed project. The application shall include:
(1) A legal description of the roads, grounds, waters, buildings, and other improvements of any kind under which such underground reservoir is proposed, together with a map thereof;
(2) A map showing the location of existing and proposed stations, wells, fixtures, machinery, and other facilities necessary for the construction, maintenance, and operation of such underground reservoir;
(3) A map prepared by a qualified engineer or geologist showing the location, extent, and depth of the proposed underground reservoir and of all wells drilled or proposed to be drilled to such reservoir; and
(4) Such other information as will provide a clear and concise presentation of the matters relevant to the application.
(b) Upon the filing of the application, the commission shall fix a date for a hearing thereon, and the applicant shall thereupon cause notice of such hearing and a copy of the application to be filed with the Department of Natural Resources, accompanied by an examination fee of $200.00. Notice of such hearing and a copy of the application shall be served upon the director of the Environmental Protection Division of the Department of Natural Resources and upon the state geologist of the Geologic Surveys Branch of the Environmental Protection Division. The applicant shall also cause notice of such hearing to be given by publishing notice thereof at least once each week for three successive weeks in some newspaper of general circulation in the county or counties wherein the gas is proposed to be stored, the first such publication to be made at least 21 days prior to the date of the hearing.
(a) Upon receiving the notice of the hearing and the copy of the application, the state geologist shall immediately initiate an investigation of the site of the proposed storage project for the purpose of determining the facts involved in the findings which the Public Service Commission is required to consider in preparing an order under Code Section 46-4-55 and for the purpose of such other matters as the state geologist or the Public Service Commission may deem relevant in evaluating the feasibility and safety features of the proposed underground storage project. The gas utility shall make available to the state geologist for his consideration and evaluation all geological and reservoir engineering studies and other information in the utility's possession concerning the proposed underground storage project. The state geologist shall complete his investigation and shall file a written report of same with the Public Service Commission prior to the date of the hearing. The state geologist and any members of his staff having knowledge of the investigation may be called as witnesses at the hearing.
(b) Upon receiving the notice of the hearing and the copy of the application, the director of the Environmental Protection Division shall immediately initiate an investigation of the proposed storage project for the purpose of determining whether such project will injure, pollute, or contaminate any usable fresh-water resources. The director shall complete his investigation and shall file a written report of same with the Public Service Commission prior to the date of the hearing. The director and any member of his staff having knowledge of the investigation may be called as witnesses at the hearing.
(c) At any time after the filing of the application under Code Section 46-4-53, but prior to the time of entering an order approving or disapproving same, the commission may conduct an investigation of the site of the proposed underground storage project for the purpose of determining any matters relevant to the consideration of such application or may cause such investigation to be made by an independent qualified engineer or geologist, or both, selected by the commission and paid by the gas utility.
(a) At the hearing on an application made pursuant to Code Section 46-4-53, the commission shall receive, hear, and make a record of such relevant evidence on the issues as may be offered by any person directly interested and shall enter an order either approving or disapproving the proposed underground storage project.
(b) Any order approving a proposed underground storage project shall contain and be based on findings that:
(1) The proposed underground storage of gas is in the public interest and welfare;
(2) The underground reservoir is reasonably practicable and suitable for the underground storage of gas, and the applicant has complied with all applicable conservation laws of the State of Georgia;
(3) The underground reservoir is nonproductive of economically recoverable valuable minerals or materials or of oil or gas in commercial quantities under either primary or secondary recovery methods and nonproductive of fresh water in commercial quantities with feasible and reasonable pumping lift;
(4) The underground storage project will not injure, pollute, or contaminate any usable fresh-water resources;
(5) The underground storage project will not injure, interfere with, or endanger any mineral resources or the development or extraction thereof; and
(6) The gas utility carries public liability insurance, or has deposited collateral in amounts satisfactory to the commission, or has furnished a financial statement showing assets in an amount satisfactory to the commission, so as to demonstrate the ability of the gas utility to secure payment of any liability resulting from any reasonably anticipated occurrence which may arise out of or be caused by the operation or use of any underground reservoir or facilities incidental thereto.
(c) The issuance of an order of approval by the commission shall be a condition precedent to the utilization or operation of an underground gas storage project. The commission may attach to the order such terms, conditions, and restrictions as it deems appropriate in the public interest.
Any party appearing at the hearing who is directly affected by an order of the commission approving or disapproving a proposed underground storage project considered at such hearing shall have the right to judicial review of the order by filing a petition with the Superior Court of Fulton County within 30 days after the entry of the order by the commission. In the event no such petition is filed within such time, the order of the commission shall be final and conclusive. In such action the burden of proof shall be upon the party complaining of such order, and such order shall be deemed prima facie valid. Any person directly interested in the subject matter may, in the discretion of the court, be permitted to intervene in such action. Any party to such action may offer in evidence all or any part of the record of the hearing before the commission and any other relevant evidence. The practice, pleading, and proceedings in such action shall be equitable in nature. The court shall have jurisdiction to enter a decree affirming or setting aside such order or remanding the cause to the commission with directions to modify such order so that it shall conform to this article. Such action shall have precedence over other matters before the court. Appeals may be taken by any party to such action in the same manner and to the same extent as in other civil actions.
(a) Any gas utility shall have the right of eminent domain, to be exercised in the manner provided in Title 22, to acquire for its use any underground reservoir for the storage of gas, as well as such other property or interests in property as may be required to explore adequately for, examine, prepare, maintain, utilize, and operate such underground reservoir for the storage of gas, including easements and rights of way for access to and egress from such underground storage reservoir.
(b) Without limiting the generality of subsection (a) of this Code section, a gas utility may condemn the following rights in property for use in connection with the underground storage of gas:
(1) The right to conduct such operations, including the drilling of test holes or wells, as may be necessary or convenient to determine the suitability of a geological stratum or formation for the underground storage of gas;
(2) The right to lay, operate, and maintain pipes and pipelines necessary or convenient for the transportation of gas to and from the underground reservoir;
(3) The right to prepare, establish, maintain, utilize, and operate the underground reservoir for the storage of gas in and the injection of gas into the reservoir and the withdrawal of gas from the reservoir; and
(4) The right to install, operate, and maintain any stations, wells, fixtures, machinery, and other facilities necessary or convenient in connection with any of the operations described in this subsection.
(c) The right of eminent domain granted by this Code section shall apply to property or property interests held by private owners, by the State of Georgia or by any political subdivision of the state, by any municipal corporation, or by any other public or quasi-public body.
(d) Any property or interest therein acquired by any gas utility pursuant to this Code section shall be used exclusively for the purposes for which it was acquired.
(e) The right of eminent domain granted by this Code section is cumulative of any other right of eminent domain now possessed by any gas utility or public utility to condemn property for use in its operations. The power of eminent domain which was granted and conferred by Ga. L. 1929, p. 219, upon persons engaged in constructing or operating pipelines for the transportation or distribution of natural or artificial gas and upon persons engaged in furnishing natural or artificial gas for heating, lighting, or power purposes in this state, and the manner of exercising such power of eminent domain as provided in Chapter 1 of Title 22 and Article 1 of Chapter 2 of Title 22 is ratified, confirmed, and continued.
All gas which has previously been reduced to possession and which is subsequently injected into an underground storage reservoir shall at all times be deemed the property of the injector, its heirs, successors, or assigns; and in no event shall such gas be subject to any right of the owner of the surface of the land under which such underground reservoir lies, or of the owner of any mineral interest therein, or of any person other than such injector, its heirs, successors, or assigns, to release, produce, take, reduce to possession, or otherwise interfere with or exercise any control thereof; provided, however, that the right of condemnation granted by Code Section 46-4-57 shall be without prejudice to the right of the owner of the condemned land or the owner of any other right or interest therein to drill or bore through the underground reservoir in such a manner as will protect the underground reservoir against pollution and against the escape of gas and as will comply with the order of the commission and the rules and regulations of the Department of Natural Resources issued for the purpose of protecting underground storage; provided, further, that the right of condemnation granted by Code Section 46-4-57 shall be without prejudice to the rights of the owner of such land or the owner of any other right or interest therein as to all other uses thereof.
When a gas utility which has exercised the power of eminent domain pursuant to Code Section 46-4-57 permanently abandons the entire underground reservoir for the storage of gas, the condemned property shall revert to the then owners of the land, the mineral rights, royalties, and other interests relating to the property in proportion to their several ownership interests. Good faith exploration or development work relative to a proposed or approved underground gas storage project shall be conclusive evidence that such project has not been abandoned. No gas utility shall abandon an underground reservoir for the storage of gas without first receiving an order of the commission approving such abandonment.
(a) The Board of Natural Resources shall adopt rules and regulations prescribing minimum standards reasonably necessary for the protection of the health, welfare, and safety of the public. Such rules and regulations shall govern the construction, installation, utilization, and operation of underground reservoirs and the stations, wells, fixtures, machinery, and other facilities used in connection therewith, and shall govern the condition in which such reservoirs and facilities are to be kept. The commissioner of natural resources or any other interested party may commence a civil action for the enforcement of such rules and regulations against any offending gas utility or other party by filing a complaint in the superior court of any county where the whole or any part of a violation of such rules and regulations occurs.
(b) The Department of Natural Resources, shall from time to time inspect and examine the methods of construction, maintenance, utilization, and operation exercised in connection with all underground reservoirs and the stations, wells, fixtures, machinery, and other facilities used in connection therewith, and shall inspect and examine the condition of all such reservoirs and facilities. One such inspection and examination shall be made each calendar year (at a time selected by the commissioner) by an independent qualified engineer employed by the gas utility and approved by the commissioner. A written report of such inspection and examination shall be filed with the commissioner and the Public Service Commission within 30 days after the time selected for the inspection and examination. Whenever the commissioner determines that any such underground reservoir or facility used in connection therewith is unsafe and dangerous, he shall immediately issue a written order to the gas utility responsible therefor directing it to correct such unsafe and dangerous condition within the time specified in the order. If the gas utility fails to comply with such order within the time prescribed, the commissioner may commence an action in the superior court of the county where the whole or any part of such unsafe or dangerous condition exists to compel the correction of same. If the court finds that such order is reasonable and just, it shall enter an appropriate decree compelling obedience to and compliance with such order and may grant such other relief as may be just and proper.
The commission is authorized to adopt such rules, regulations, and orders as it deems necessary in the enforcement or administration of this article. The commission is further authorized to enforce this article and the rules, regulations, and orders adopted thereunder by instituting actions for injunction, mandamus, or other appropriate relief.
No provision of this article shall in any way be construed to impair or interfere with the authority of the Department of Natural Resources to prevent or abate injury, pollution, or contamination of any usable fresh-water resources.
The General Assembly finds that certain political subdivisions of this state now own and operate gas distribution systems to serve their citizens, inhabitants, and customers by providing them with gas for all purposes; and if such political subdivisions are to furnish, and if the members of the public in the areas they serve are to receive, adequate service, such political subdivisions must have adequate, dependable, and economical sources of gas supplies. The General Assembly declares that there exists in this state a need for an authority to function without profit in developing and promoting for the public good in this state adequate, dependable, and economical sources and supplies of gas for the purposes expressed in this Code section, and to assist in the financing of additions and other expenditures for the municipal gas systems of such political subdivisions.
As used in this article, the term:
(1) “Authority” means the Municipal Gas Authority of Georgia and any successor thereto. Any change in name or composition of the authority shall in no way affect the vested rights of any person under this article or impair the obligations of any contracts existing under this article.
(2) “Bond anticipation notes” or “notes” means obligations issued after validation of bonds and in anticipation of the issuance of the bonds as validated.
(3) “Bonds” or “revenue bonds” means any bonds issued by the authority under this article, including refunding bonds.
(4) “Cost of project” or “cost of construction” means all costs of construction; all costs of real and personal property required for the purposes of such project and facilities related thereto, including land and any leases, rights or undivided interest therein, easements, franchises, water rights, fees, permits, approvals, licenses, and certificates, and the securing of such permits, approvals, licenses, and certificates and the preparation of applications therefor, and including all machinery and equipment, including equipment for use in connection with such construction; financing charges; working capital; interest prior to and during construction and during such additional period as the authority may determine; operating expenses during such period as the authority may determine; costs of engineering, architectural, and legal services; costs of plans and specifications and all expenses necessary or incidental to determining the feasibility or practicability of the project; costs of insurance or of self-insuring any project; administrative expenses; amounts payable under any judgment against the authority; disposal costs; all costs associated with acquiring contract rights or other contractual arrangements for the short-term or long-term provision of gas supplies, including reserves, transmission, storage, peaking, or other services associated therewith, including prepayments for such; and such other expenses as may be necessary or incidental to the financing authorized by this article. All funds paid or advanced for any of the purposes mentioned in this paragraph by political subdivisions contracting with the authority prior to the issuance of any of the authority's bonds or notes may be refunded to such political subdivisions out of the proceeds of any bonds or notes so issued. The costs of any project may also include a fund or funds for the creation of a debt service reserve, a renewal and replacement reserve, and such other reserves as may be reasonably required by the authority for the operation of its projects and as may be authorized by any bond resolution or trust agreement or indenture pursuant to the provisions of which the issuance of any such bonds or bond anticipation notes may be authorized. Any obligation or expense incurred for any of the purposes mentioned in this paragraph shall be regarded as a part of the cost of the project and may be paid or reimbursed as such out of the proceeds of revenue bonds or notes issued under this article for such project.
(5) “Distribution” means the conveyance of gas to the ultimate consumer.
(6) “Election committee” means the Municipal Gas Authority of Georgia Membership Election Committee, as created in Code Section 46-4-83.
(7) “Exploration” means the processes, properties, activities, and facilities used for the discovery of deposits of gas, and the study and implementation of enhanced gas recovery methods.
(8) “Gas” means either natural or synthetic gas, including propane, manufactured, methane from coal beds, geothermal gas, or any mixture thereof, whether in gaseous or liquid form, or any byproduct resulting therefrom.
(9) “Production” means the physical activities, processes, properties, and facilities for development, manufacture, synthesis, production, coal gasification, extraction, gathering, or storage of gas or conversion of one form of gas to another.
(10) “Project,” “undertaking,” or “facility” means any plant, works, system, facility, and real and personal property of any nature whatsoever, together with all parts thereof and appurtenances thereto, and any contract rights, relating to the storage, acquisition, exploration, production, distribution, enrichment, transmission, purchase, sale, exchange, or interchange of gas and relating to the acquisition, extraction, conversion, transportation, storage, or reprocessing of fuel of any kind for any such purposes, or any interest in, or right to the use, services, enrichment, output, or capacity of any such plant, works, system, or facilities. “Project” or “undertaking” as used in this paragraph is intended to include contracts and contract rights as well as tangible property.
(11) “Storage” means any process, properties, activities, or facilities used to hold, store, or maintain gas.
(12) “System” means those properties, facilities, projects, contractual rights, or combination thereof of the authority which are designated by the authority as constituting a specific combination for the purposes of financing such or for the purposes of providing gas supplies or services to a specified group of political subdivisions or to a specified geographic area.
(13) “Transmission” means the transfer of gas from its acquisition site to, between, or among cities or municipal gas agencies or other persons with whom they may contract, but does not include distribution, except where incidental or necessary to transmission.
(a) There is created a public body corporate and politic to be known as the Municipal Gas Authority of Georgia, which shall be a public corporation of the State of Georgia and which shall have perpetual existence. The authority, however, shall not be a political subdivision of the state but shall be an instrumentality of the state, a mere creature of the state, having distinct corporate entity and being exempt from Article 2 of Chapter 17 of Title 50.
(b) The authority shall have its principal office either in Fulton County or in a county contiguous to Fulton County. The authority's residence for the purposes of this article shall be either Fulton County or such other county contiguous to Fulton County. If the authority designates a county other than Fulton County as its principal office, notice of such designation shall be given in writing to the Secretary of State and the address of such designated office shall be available for public inspection in the office of the Secretary of State.
(a) The authority shall consist of nine members. The first nine members shall be elected as provided in this Code section.
(b) On or before June 16, 1987, each of those political subdivisions which have, prior to such date, by proper resolution of their respective governing bodies, declared their intention to contract with the authority for the purchase of all or some substantial portion of its gas supply (other than short-term purchases) shall designate one person, who shall be a resident of the State of Georgia, as its representative on a body to be known as the “Municipal Gas Authority of Georgia Membership Election Committee,” provided that at least five political subdivisions have declared their intention to contract with the authority. All such resolutions of declaration of intention to contract with the authority shall be presented to the election committee at its first meeting, which shall be held in the office of the Georgia Municipal Association at 11:00 A.M. on June 23, 1987.
(c) At its first meeting, the election committee shall organize and shall elect a chairman and such other officers as may be desirable in the determination of the election committee. The election committee shall then determine the sufficiency of the resolutions presented to it and shall determine the number of votes (including fractions thereof) which each representative to the election committee shall be entitled to cast in accordance with Code Section 46-4-87. Nominations for membership on the authority shall then be received by the election committee prior to adjournment of its first meeting.
(d) The election committee shall then meet for the second time on June 30, 1987, at the same time and at a place designated by the election committee at its initial meeting to receive any other nominations to the authority that may be made. A vote shall then be taken; and the nine nominees receiving the largest number of votes cast by a quorum of the election committee, as such quorum is determined by subsection (c) of Code Section 46-4-87, shall be declared the first nine members of the authority. Insofar as may be consistent with the remaining provisions of this Code section, in the election of the first nine members, the three nominees receiving the highest number of votes shall be elected to terms of three years; the three nominees receiving the next highest number of votes shall be elected to terms of two years; and the three nominees receiving the next highest number of votes shall be elected to terms of one year. Any tie votes shall be resolved by lot in such manner as shall be prescribed by the election committee.
(e) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Code section to the contrary, in the event it should be mathematically necessary in the election of the members of the authority for two members to be residents of the same political subdivision, then one of the two members who are residents of the same political subdivision shall be elected for an initial term of one year. In the event there are four political subdivisions from which two residents must be elected, one of the residents of one of such political subdivisions shall be elected for an initial term of two years.
Each member of the authority shall be a resident of one of the political subdivisions represented on the election committee; provided, however, that an employee of the gas department or utility commission of a political subdivision represented on the election committee shall be qualified to be a member of the authority even though not a resident of one of the political subdivisions so represented for so long as he or she remains such an employee; but, insofar as is mathematically possible, no two members shall be residents or employees of the same political subdivision. Representatives to the election committee shall be eligible for membership on the authority. Members shall be eligible to succeed themselves.
Upon the expiration of the terms of the first members of the authority, members shall be elected for three-year terms, provided that in the year in which a member's term is to expire, the term shall not expire until the adjournment of the annual meeting for that year and until a successor is elected. The election committee shall meet at a date not more than 30 days prior to each annual meeting of the authority and shall elect members to fill the terms which will expire at the conclusion of such annual meeting.
(a) Each political subdivision contracting with the authority for all or a substantial portion of its gas supply (other than short-term purchases) following the election of the first nine members of the authority shall designate a representative to the election committee no more than 30 days following the execution of such contract by and between the authority and such political subdivision. The term of such additional representative shall begin with the next meeting of the election committee.
(b) Representatives to the election committee shall serve at the pleasure of the governing body of the political subdivision which appointed them.
(a) In elections held by the election committee to elect members to the authority, each political subdivision entitled to representation on the election committee shall have and shall be entitled to have its representative on the election committee cast: (1) one whole vote; (2) plus an additional vote or votes (including fractions thereof) to be determined by arriving at a percentage by dividing the number of MCF per day of contract demand purchased by the respective political subdivision during the immediately preceding calendar year by the total number of MCF per day of contract demand purchased by all such political subdivisions during the immediately preceding calendar year and applying such percentage to the total number of political subdivisions entitled to representation on the election committee; and (3) plus an additional vote or votes (including fractions thereof) to be determined by arriving at a percentage by dividing the annual quantity of MCF purchased by the respective political subdivision during the immediately preceding calendar year by the total of the annual quantities of MCF purchased by all such political subdivisions during the immediately preceding calendar year and applying such percentage to the total number of political subdivisions entitled to representation on the election committee.
(b) At such time as contracts or facilities of the authority are placed in commercial operation, as determined by the authority, and gas is being supplied by the authority to political subdivisions contracting with the authority, then and thereafter each such political subdivision entitled to representation on the election committee shall have and shall be entitled to have its representative on the election committee cast: (1) one whole vote; (2) plus an additional vote or votes (including fractions thereof) to be determined by arriving at a percentage by dividing the number of MCF per day of contract demand purchased from the authority by the respective political subdivision during the immediately preceding calendar year by the total number of MCF per day of contract demand purchased from the authority by all such political subdivisions during the immediately preceding calendar year and applying such percentage to the total number of political subdivisions entitled to representation on the election committee; and (3) plus an additional vote or votes (including fractions thereof) to be determined by arriving at a percentage by dividing the annual quantity of MCF purchased from the authority by the respective political subdivisions during the immediately preceding calendar year by the total of the annual quantities of MCF purchased from the authority by all such political subdivisions during the immediately preceding calendar year and applying such percentage to the total number of political subdivisions entitled to representation on the election committee.
(c) The presence at any meeting of the election committee of representatives entitled to cast two-thirds of the total votes to which the election committee shall be entitled shall constitute a quorum of the election committee. The authority is authorized to round fractional votes to the nearest 1/1000.
Any vacancy in the membership of the authority shall be filled by a new member who shall be elected by the remaining members of the authority and who shall serve until the next meeting of the election committee. At the first meeting of the election committee following the filling of such vacancy, the election committee shall elect a member to fill the remainder, if any, of the unexpired term for which such vacancy was filled. Upon such election by the election committee, the membership on the authority of the member previously elected by the remaining members of the authority to fill such vacancy shall terminate.
The authority shall elect from among its membership a chairman, a vice chairman, a secretary-treasurer, and an assistant secretary-treasurer. Such officers shall serve for such terms as shall be prescribed by resolution of the authority or until their successors are elected and qualified.
At all meetings of the authority, the presence in person of a majority of the members in office shall be necessary for the transaction of business, and the affirmative vote of a majority of the members then in office shall be necessary for any action of the authority. No vacancy in the membership of the authority shall impair the right of such majority to exercise all the rights and perform all the duties of the authority. If at any meeting there is less than a majority present, a majority of those present may adjourn the meeting to a fixed time and place, and notice of such time and place shall be given in accordance with subsection (c) of Code Section 46-4-91, provided that if the time element of subsection (c) of Code Section 46-4-91 cannot reasonably be complied with, such notice, if any, of such adjourned meeting shall be given as is reasonably practicable.
(a) The annual meeting of the authority shall be held on the anniversary date of the first meeting of the authority unless the date, time, and place of such annual meeting shall otherwise be fixed by resolution of the authority.
(b) Special meetings of the authority may be called by resolution of the authority, by the chairman or vice chairman, or upon the written request of at least three members of the authority.
(c) Written notice of all meetings shall be delivered to each political subdivision contracting with the authority and to each member of the authority not less than ten days prior to the date of such meeting in the case of regular meetings and not less than three days prior to the date of such meeting in the case of special meetings.
(d) Notice of a meeting of the authority need not be given to any member who signs a waiver of notice either before or after the meeting. Attendance of a member at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting and a waiver of any and all objections to the place or time of the meeting or to the manner in which it has been called or convened, except when a member states at the beginning of the meeting any such objection or objections to the transaction of business. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special meeting of the authority need be specified in the notice or the waiver of notice of such meetings.
(e) In addition to the annual meeting of the authority, regular meetings of the authority may be established by resolution of the authority; and no notice, other than notice of the adoption of such resolution conveyed to any member of the authority who was absent when it was adopted, shall be required for such meeting, except for the notice required by subsection (c) of this Code section.
The members of the authority shall not be entitled to compensation for their services, but may be reimbursed by the authority for their actual expenses properly incurred in the performance of their duties. The authority shall make rules and regulations for its own government and may retain, employ, and engage all necessary staff and personnel, including professional and technical supervisors, assistants, and experts and other agents and employees, whether temporary or permanent, as it may require. Any one or more of such persons so engaged may be designated as an additional assistant secretary-treasurer of the authority and may be given the duties of keeping the books, records, and minutes of the authority; of giving all notices required by Code Sections 46-4-90, 46-4-91, and 46-4-93; and, in the absence of or in lieu of the secretary-treasurer, of performing all other functions of the secretary-treasurer. Officers designated by the authority pursuant to this Code section shall serve at the pleasure of the authority.
The election committee shall have the power to remove from office any member of the authority for cause after written notice and public hearing.
The authority shall keep suitable books and records of all its obligations, contracts, transactions, and undertakings; of all income and receipts of every nature; and of all expenditures of every kind.
The purpose of the authority shall be: (1) to acquire or construct, or to acquire and construct, and to operate and maintain, or to cause to be constructed, operated, and maintained, systems, projects, and facilities for the storage, acquisition, exploration, production, distribution, transmission, purchase, sale, exchange, or interchange of gas; and (2) in addition thereto, to take all other necessary or desirable actions in order to provide or make available an adequate, dependable, and economical supply of gas and related services to those political subdivisions of this state identified in Code Section 46-4-100 which may desire the same and, incidentally and so as to take advantage of economies of scale, in the storage, acquisition, exploration, production, distribution, transmission, purchase, sale, exchange, or interchange of gas to other persons and entities.
(a) The authority shall have all powers necessary or convenient to carry out and effectuate the purpose and provisions of this article including, but without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the power:
(1) To sue and be sued in contract and in tort and to complain and defend in all courts;
(2) To adopt and to alter a corporate seal;
(3) To acquire in its own name, inside and outside this state, real property or rights and easements therein and franchises and personal property necessary or convenient for its corporate purposes, by purchase, on such terms and conditions and in such manner as it may deem proper, or by the exercise of the power of eminent domain in accordance with any and all existing laws of the State of Georgia applicable to the condemnation of property for public use, including the power to proceed as a condemning body under Article 2 of Chapter 2 of Title 22 or by gift, grant, lease, or otherwise; to insure the same against any and all risks as such insurance may, from time to time, be available; and to use such property, rent or lease the same to or from others, make contracts with respect to the use thereof, or sell, lease, or otherwise dispose of any such property in any manner it deems to the best advantage of the authority and the purposes thereof. The power to acquire, use, and dispose of property provided in this paragraph shall include the power to acquire, use, and dispose of any interest in such property, whether divided or undivided, which acquisition may result in the ownership of such property or any part thereof in common with any other party, whether public or private. Title to any such property of the authority, however, shall be held by the authority exclusively for the benefit of the public. The authority shall be under no obligation to accept and pay for any property condemned under this article except from the funds provided under the authority of this article and, in any proceedings to condemn, such orders may be made by the court having jurisdiction of the action as may be just to the authority and to the owners of the property to be condemned. If the authority shall deem it expedient to construct any project on lands which are subject to the control of the state or of any political subdivision or public corporation of the state, the appropriate state authorities, in the case of lands controlled by the state, or the governing authorities of such political subdivisions or such public corporations are authorized to convey such lands to the authority for such consideration, not exceeding reasonable value, as may be agreed upon by the authority, as grantee, and by the appropriate state authorities or by the governing body of such political subdivision or by such public corporation, as grantor, taking into consideration the public benefit to be derived from such conveyance;
(4) To appoint and select officers, agents, and employees, including engineering, architectural, and construction experts, fiscal agents, and attorneys, and to fix their compensation;
(5) To acquire, by purchase or otherwise, in whole or in part, inside or outside this state, as provided in paragraph (3) of this Code section, and to place into operation and operate or cause to be placed into operation and operated, either as owner of all or of any part in common with others or as agent, facilities and projects for the storage, acquisition, exploration, production, distribution, transmission, purchase, sale, exchange, or interchange of gas; to acquire and to provide, by sale or otherwise, an adequate, dependable, and economical gas supply to political subdivisions of this state contracting with the authority pursuant to the authority of Code Section 46-4-100; and, through such political subdivisions, to supply such gas to the members of the public in the areas served by them; and, as agent for such political subdivisions, to secure gas contracts and arrangements with other persons. The authority shall also have the power, which may be exercised either as principal or as agent, to manufacture, store, and transmit gas for light, heat, power, and energy; to manufacture, buy, sell, import, export, lease, or otherwise acquire and generally deal in gas apparatuses of all kinds and machinery and devices and materials and fossil fuels for the manufacture, storage, and transmission of gas for light, heat, power, and energy; to purchase gas at retail or wholesale from any other person; to purchase or construct part of the capacity of projects or facilities sponsored and owned by or in common with others, making any such purchase at wholesale or retail inside or outside this state; to contract for the purchase of gas from, or the sale of gas to, the United States government and gas utility systems either privately or publicly owned, inside or outside this state; to execute long-term or short-term gas purchase or sale contracts on terms which may include agreements with respect to resale rates and the disposition of revenues; to interchange, exchange, store, and purchase gas from any person; to erect, buy, lease, or otherwise acquire, operate, and maintain gas lighting and heating projects; to transmit gas both for itself and on behalf of others; to erect, buy, sell, lease, or otherwise acquire, maintain, and operate or cause to be maintained and operated plants, underground subways, conduits, and pipelines above, upon, and under the streets, alleys, lands, and territories of political subdivisions, public or private corporations, or individuals; and to continue to sell gas to political subdivisions of this state which are authorized to contract with the authority pursuant to Code Section 46-4-100 and to other persons and entities inside or outside this state and, as agent for any or all of the same, to make gas otherwise available to them through arrangements with other persons, all in the exercise of the powers of the authority and to effectuate the purposes of this article;
(6) To designate one or more systems in effectuating any of its purposes;
(7) To contract with the state and its agencies, instrumentalities, and departments; with those political subdivisions of the state which are authorized to contract with the authority pursuant to Code Section 46-4-100; and with private persons and corporations inside or outside this state. This power includes the making of contracts for the construction of projects, which contracts for construction may be made either as sole owner of the project or as owner, in common with other public or private persons, of any divided or undivided interest therein; and is further intended to include, without limitation, the making of contracts for the purchase, sale, exchange, interchange, pooling, transmission, distribution, or storage of gas and fuel of any kind for any such purposes, inside and outside the State of Georgia, in such amounts as it shall determine to be necessary and appropriate to make the most effective use of its powers and to meet its responsibilities, on such terms and for such period of time, not exceeding 50 years, as the authority shall determine; and is further intended to include, without limitation, the making of contracts for furnishing gas supply development services and management services to political subdivisions contracting with the authority pursuant to Code Section 46-4-100.
(8) To exercise any one or more of the powers, rights, and privileges conferred by this article either alone or jointly or in common with one or more other parties or utilities, whether public or private. In any such exercise of such powers, rights, and privileges jointly or in common with others with respect to the construction, operation, and maintenance of gas projects or facilities, the authority may own an undivided interest in such facilities with any other parties, whether public or private. The authority may enter into agreements with respect to any such gas exploration, storage, manufacturing, distribution, or transmission facility with the other parties participating therein, and any such agreement may contain such terms, conditions, and provisions consistent with this article as the parties thereto shall deem to be in their best interests. Any such agreement may include, but need not be limited to, provisions for the construction, operation, and maintenance of such gas exploration, storage, manufacturing, or transmission facility by any one or more of the parties to such agreement, which party or parties shall be designated in or pursuant to such agreement as agent or agents on behalf of itself and one or more of the other parties thereto, or by such other means as may be determined by the parties thereto. Such an agreement may also include provisions for methods of determining and allocating among or between the parties the costs of construction, operation, maintenance, renewals, replacements, improvements, and disposals with respect to such facility. In carrying out its functions and activities as such agent with respect to the construction, operation, and maintenance of such facility, such agent shall be governed by the laws and regulations applicable to such agent as a separate legal entity, and not by any laws or regulations which may be applicable to any of the other participating parties. Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, pursuant to the terms of any such agreement, the authority may delegate its powers and duties with respect to the construction, operation, and maintenance of such facility to the party acting as agent; and all actions taken by such agent in accordance with the provisions of such agreement may be made binding upon the authority without further action or approval by the authority;
(9) To accept, receive, and administer gifts, grants, appropriations, and donations of moneys, materials, and property of any kind, including loans and grants from the United States government or the State of Georgia or any agency, department, authority, or instrumentality of either, upon such terms and conditions as the United States government, the State of Georgia, or such agency, department, authority, or instrumentality shall impose; to administer trusts; and to sell, lease, transfer, convey, appropriate, and pledge any and all of its property and assets;
(10) To invest any accumulation of its funds and any sinking fund or reserves in any manner that the authority considers prudent, including entering into hedging, options, and future transactions, notwithstanding any other law of this state relating to investment of public funds, and to purchase its own bonds and notes;
(11) To employ such investment and money-management techniques as the authority shall determine to be prudent and not inconsistent with this article or the other laws of the state;
(12) To do any and all things necessary to reduce the cost of gas furnished to political subdivisions contracting with the authority including, without limitation, entering into interest rate swaps and other arrangements for restructuring the authority's capitalization;
(13) To provide management, technical, financial, informational, promotional, and educational services to and for the benefit of the political subdivisions;
(14) To do any and all things necessary or proper for the accomplishment of the objectives of this article and to exercise any power usually possessed by private corporations performing similar functions which is not in conflict with the Constitution and laws of this state, including:
(A) Employment of professional and administrative staff and personnel and retaining of legal, engineering, and other professional services;
(B) The purchase of all kinds of insurance, including, without limitation, insurance against tort liability and against risks of damage to property;
(C) The borrowing of money for any of the corporate purposes of the authority, provided that obligations of the authority other than revenue bonds for which provision is made in this article shall be payable from funds of the authority other than any special fund allocated to the payment of revenue bonds, and shall not be a charge against such special fund;
(D) The power to indemnify and hold harmless any parties contracting with the authority or its agents from damage to persons or property; and
(E) The power to act as self-insurer with respect to any loss or liability; and
(15) To issue its revenue bonds as provided in this article in evidence of its indebtedness incurred with respect to the powers described in this article, such bonds to be payable from the revenues, receipts, and earnings of the projects or systems of the authority and other available funds thereof; to execute trust agreements or indentures; to sell, convey, pledge, and assign any and all of its funds, assets, property, and income as security for the payment of such revenue bonds; and to provide for the payment of the same and for the rights of the owners thereof.
(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this article, the authority shall not have the power or authority to engage in the distribution or sale of gas or the transmission of gas to an ultimate consumer thereof, irrespective of whether such consumer is a public or private person or other entity, and irrespective of whether the authority acts alone, in conjunction with, on behalf of, or as an agent for another or others in any such transaction.
The authority shall not operate or construct any project for profit, except insofar as any such profit will inure to the benefit of the public. The authority shall fix the rates, fees, and charges consistent with this declaration of policy such as will produce revenues only in amounts sufficient, together with all other funds of the authority, to pay the principal or purchase price of and premium, if any, and interest on bonds and all other indebtedness and contractual obligations of the authority; to provide for maintenance and operation of the authority and of its projects; to provide for payment of any judgment against the authority; and to maintain such reserves as shall have been created in amounts sufficient in the judgment of the authority for the security of the bonds and other obligations; and for the improvement, replacement, or expansion of the facilities or services of the authority or to provide fuel for its projects.
(a) It is found, determined, and declared that the creation of the authority and the carrying out of its corporate purposes are in all respects for the benefit of the people of this state and that the authority is an institution of purely public charity performing an essential governmental function.
(b)(1) The property of the authority is declared, and shall in all respects be considered, to be public property. Title to the authority's property shall be held by the authority only for the benefit of the public; and the use of such property pursuant to this article shall be and is declared to be for essential public and governmental purposes, that is, for the promotion of public general welfare in the matter of providing an adequate, dependable, and economical gas supply in an effort to better the general condition of society in this state, which promotion is declared to be a public beneficence for the good of humanity and for the general improvement and happiness of society.
(2)(A) It is recognized, however, that removal from local tax digests of the value of all property owned by the authority might impose an unfair burden on many taxpayers whose property is taxable. In the interest of weighing these benefits and concerns and arriving at an equitable policy regarding treatment of authority property, the General Assembly finds and declares that equity requires that the authority should rightfully make payments in lieu of taxes so that the authority may fulfill its good and public purposes without incidental harm to the state's local governments.
(B) The authority shall make payments in lieu of taxes on its tangible property as provided in this Code section. It shall file a return within the same time and in the same form and manner as public utilities. The taxing authorities shall assess the tangible property of the authority which is made subject by this Code section to payments in lieu of taxes in accordance with the law and procedures applicable to public utilities and shall apply to such assessments in each year in which any such payments are due the appropriate millage levies of the state and of the political subdivisions in which such property is located in order to arrive at the amounts of the respective payments in lieu of taxes. The authority shall be notified of the amounts of the payments in lieu of taxes due and shall pay such amounts to the state and its respective political subdivisions within the time in which payments of taxes by public utilities are allowed or required.
(c) Except as specifically provided for in this Code section for payments in lieu of taxes, all property of the authority, all income, obligations, and interest on the bonds and notes of the authority, and all transfers of such property, bonds, or notes shall be and are declared to be exempt from taxation by the state or any of its political subdivisions.
(a) The authority may contract with any political subdivision of this state which is authorized by Code Section 46-4-100 to make such contracts for the payment of such rates, tolls, fees, and charges as may be prescribed by the authority for the use by such subdivisions or the residents thereof of the services, projects, and facilities of the authority, including the purchase of gas supply planning and development services. Any such political subdivision shall have the right and power, by resolution of its governing body, to make such a contract; and the amounts contracted to be paid by such political subdivision to the authority under such a contract shall constitute general obligations of such political subdivision for the payment of which the full faith and credit of such political subdivision may be pledged to provide the funds required to fulfill all obligations arising under any such contract.
(b) Any such political subdivision which enters into such a contract pursuant to this article shall, annually in each and every fiscal year during the term of such contract, include in a general revenue or appropriation measure, whether or not any other items are included, sums sufficient to satisfy the payments required to be made in each year by such contract until all payments required under such contract have been paid in full.
(c) If for any reason a provision or appropriation pursuant to subsection (b) of this Code section is not made, then the fiscal officers of such political subdivision are authorized and directed to set up as an appropriation on their accounts in each fiscal year the amounts required to pay the obligations called for under any such contract. The amount of an appropriation made under this subsection in each fiscal year shall be due and payable and shall be expended for the purpose of paying and meeting the obligations provided under the terms and conditions of such contract; and such appropriation shall have the same legal status as if the contracting political subdivision had included the amount of the appropriation in its general revenue or appropriation measure. Such fiscal officers shall make such payment to the authority if for any reason such appropriation is not otherwise made.
(d) Any contract entered into pursuant to this Code section may provide for the purchase of gas from one or more projects or from a system and may provide for all of the gas requirements of the political subdivision's municipal gas system or for a portion of such requirements or may provide for the purchase by the political subdivision of a specified portion of the output or volume of a particular project.
(e) Any such contract may provide that the political subdivision is obligated to make payments, whether or not a project is completed, operable, or operating; whether or not the output, volume, capacity, or service of a project is suspended, interrupted, interfered with, reduced, or curtailed; whether or not the gas or services contracted for are furnished, made available, or delivered; and regardless of the performance or nonperformance of the authority or another political subdivision under the contract or any other instrument.
(f) Any such contract may provide that if another political subdivision or other person defaults in the payment of its obligations, then the political subdivision that is party to such contract is required to pay for, is entitled to, and may use or otherwise dispose of its proportionate share of the output that was to be purchased by the defaulting political subdivision or other person.
(g) Loans made to a political subdivision pursuant to Code Section 46-4-101 shall be for use in the municipal gas system of such political subdivision, and such loan shall be made and repaid, with interest, on such terms as the authority and political subdivision shall agree.
(h) Any such contract may obligate the political subdivision to pay such amounts as the authority may determine as necessary or desirable to establish reserves for rate stabilization purposes.
The political subdivisions with which the authority shall be authorized to contract to provide a gas supply pursuant to this article shall be those political subdivisions of this state which own and operate a gas distribution system.
(a) When the authority desires to issue revenue bonds as permitted by this article, the authority shall, prior to the adoption of a resolution authorizing the issuance of such bonds, enter into one or more contracts with no less than five political subdivisions which are authorized to contract with the authority in accordance with Code Section 46-4-100. All such contracts shall be in accordance with Code Section 46-4-99.
(b) The acquisition, construction, reconstruction, improvement, equipping, alteration, repair, or extension of any project, and the issuance, in anticipation of the collection of the revenues from such project, of bonds to provide funds to pay the cost thereof, may be authorized under this article by resolution of the authority. Unless otherwise provided therein, such resolution shall take effect immediately and need not be laid over or published or posted. The authority, in determining such cost, may include all costs and estimated costs of the issuance of the bonds; all engineering, inspection, fiscal, and legal expenses; the interest which it is estimated will accrue during the construction period and during such additional period as the authority may determine on money borrowed, or which it is estimated will be borrowed pursuant to this article; and all costs included in the definition of “cost of project” as defined in Code Section 46-4-81. Such bonds may also be issued to pay off, refund, or refinance any outstanding bonds or other obligations of any nature owed by the authority, whether or not such bonds or other obligations shall then be subject to redemption; and the authority may provide for such arrangements as it may determine for the payment and security of the bonds being issued or for the payment and security of the bonds or other obligations to be paid off, refunded, or refinanced. Such bonds may also be issued for the purpose of loaning the proceeds thereof to political subdivisions for use in their municipal gas systems and to finance any other corporate purposes of the authority.
(c) Revenue bonds may be issued under this article in one or more series; may bear such date or dates; may mature at such time or times, not exceeding 50 years from their respective dates; may bear interest at such rate or rates, that may be fixed or may vary in accordance with a specified formula or method of determination, payable at such time or times; may be payable in such medium of payment at such place or places; may be in such denomination or denominations; may be in such form, either coupon or fully registered without coupons; may be issued in any specific amounts; may carry such registration, conversion, and exchangeability privileges; may be declared or become due before the maturity date thereof; may provide such call or redemption privileges; may have such rank or priority; and may contain such other terms, covenants, assignments, and conditions as the bond resolution authorizing the issuance of such bonds or any indenture or trust agreement may provide. The authority may sell such bonds in such manner, at such price or prices, and upon such terms and conditions as shall be determined by the authority. The authority may arrange for insurance contracts, surety bonds, letters of credit, lines of credit, commitments to purchase, or other liquidity or credit support mechanisms and may remarket bonds to provide security to assure timely payment of bonds. The authority may by resolution delegate to such officers, employees, or agents as the authority's members may select the power to authorize the issuance and sale of bonds and fix, within limits prescribed in the resolution, the time and manner of their sale, maturities, date or rates of interest, and other terms and conditions the officer, employee, or agent considers appropriate.
(d) The bonds shall be signed by the chairman or other authorized officers of the authority; the corporate seal of the authority shall be impressed, imprinted, or otherwise reproduced on the bonds; and the bonds shall be attested by the signature of the secretary-treasurer or assistant secretary-treasurer of the authority. The coupons, if any, shall be signed in such manner as may be directed by the authority. The signatures of the officers of the authority and the seal of the authority upon any bond, note, or other debt security issued by the authority may be by facsimile if the instrument is authenticated or countersigned by a trustee or other authenticating agent other than the authority itself or an officer or employee of the authority. All bonds or notes issued under authority of this article bearing signatures or facsimiles of the signatures of officers of the authority in office on the date of the signing thereof shall be valid and binding, notwithstanding that before the delivery thereof and payment therefor such officers whose signatures appear thereon shall have ceased to be officers of the authority. Pending the preparation of the definitive bonds, interim receipts, in such form and with such provisions as the authority may determine, may be issued to the purchasers of bonds to be issued under this article.
(e) Any bond resolution authorizing the issuance of bonds and any indenture or trust agreement entered into under this article to finance in whole or in part the acquisition, construction, reconstruction, improvement, equipment, alteration, repair, or extension of any project may contain covenants as to:
(1) The rates, fees, tolls, or charges to be charged for the services, facilities, and commodities of the project or system;
(2) The use and disposition of the revenue to be derived from the project or system;
(3) The creation and maintenance of reserves or sinking funds and the regulation, use, and disposition thereof, including debt service reserve; renewal and replacement or other capital improvement reserve, including reserves for the provision of fuel; and such other reserves as may be reasonably required by the authority for the operation of its projects and as may be authorized by the bond resolution or trust agreement or indenture pursuant to which the issuance of such bonds may be authorized;
(4) The purposes to which the proceeds of the sale of said bonds may be applied, and the use and disposition of such proceeds;
(5) Events of default and the rights and liabilities arising thereupon, the terms and conditions upon which bonds issued under this article shall become or may be declared due before maturity, and the terms and conditions upon which such declaration and its consequences may be waived;
(6) The issuance of other additional bonds or instruments payable from or a charge against the revenue of such project or system;
(7) The insurance to be carried thereon and the use and disposition of insurance proceeds;
(8) Books of account and inspection and audit thereof;
(9) Limitations or restrictions on the power to lease or otherwise dispose of the project while any of the bonds or interest thereon remains outstanding and unpaid; and
(10) The operation and maintenance of the project or system, and of the authority.
(f) The provisions of this article and of any bond resolution, indenture, or trust agreement entered into pursuant to this article shall be a contract with every holder of the bonds; and the duties of the authority under this article and under any such bond resolution, indenture, or trust agreement shall be enforceable by any bondholder by mandamus or other appropriate action or proceeding at law or in equity.
(g) The authority shall give notice to the district attorney of the Atlanta Judicial Circuit of its intention to issue its revenue bonds, setting forth the fact of service of such notice, the principal amount of bonds to be issued, the purpose for which the same are to be issued, whether the bonds are to be issued in separate series or installments from time to time, the interest rate or rates which such bonds are to bear, the amount of principal to be paid in each year during the life of the bonds or the method or formula by which such amounts shall be determined, the date by which all bonds are to be paid in full, and the security to be pledged to the payment of the bond; provided, however, that such notice, in the discretion of the authority, in lieu of specifying the rate or rates of interest which the bonds are to bear, may state that the bonds when issued will bear interest at a rate not exceeding a maximum per annum rate of interest specified in the notice or the maximum rate permitted, at any time, by law, or, in the event the bonds, or any series or installment thereof, are to bear different rates of interest for different maturity dates, may state that none of such rates will exceed the maximum rate specified in the notice; provided, further, that nothing in this subsection shall be construed as prohibiting or restricting the right of the authority to sell the bonds at a discount, even if in so doing the effective interest cost resulting therefrom would exceed the maximum per annum interest rate specified in the notice to the district attorney. Such notice shall be signed by the chairman, vice chairman, or secretary-treasurer.
(h) Within 20 days after the date of service of the required notice, the district attorney shall prepare and file in the office of the clerk of the Superior Court of Fulton County a complaint directed to the Superior Court of Fulton County in the name of the state and against the authority, setting forth the fact of service of such notice, the amount of the bonds to be issued, for what purpose they are to be issued, whether the bonds are to be issued in separate series or installments from time to time, the interest rate or rates they are to bear or the maximum rate or rates of interest, the amount of principal and interest to be paid annually or the method or formula by which the amount of such payments shall be determined, and the date by which all bonds are to be paid in full. In addition, the district attorney shall obtain from the judge of the court an order requiring the authority by its proper officers to appear at such time and place as the judge may direct, either during a session of court or in chambers, within 20 days after the filing of the complaint, and show cause, if any, why the bonds should not be confirmed and validated. Such complaint and order shall be served upon the authority in the manner provided by law; and to such complaint the authority shall make sworn answer at or before the date set in the order for the hearing.
(i) Prior to the hearing of the cause, the clerk of the Superior Court of Fulton County shall publish in the official organ of Fulton County once during each of the two weeks immediately preceding the week in which the hearing is to be held a notice to the public that, on the day specified in the order providing for the hearing of the cause, the same will be heard.
(j) Within the time prescribed in the order or at such other time as he may fix, the judge of the superior court shall proceed to hear and determine all questions of law and of fact in the cause, including the question of whether the contractual obligations which are made a condition precedent to the issuance of such bonds by subsection (a) of this Code section have been properly incurred; and the judge shall render judgment on the cause. Any citizen of this state may become a party to the proceedings at or before the time set for the hearing. Any party who is dissatisfied with the judgment of the court confirming and validating the issuance of the bonds and the security therefor or refusing to confirm and validate the issuance of the bonds and the security therefor may appeal from the judgment under the procedure provided by Article 2 of Chapter 6 of Title 5. No appeal may be taken by any person who was not a party at the time the judgment appealed from was rendered.
(k) In the event no appeal is filed within 30 days after the date of the judgment of validation, or, if an appeal is filed, in the event the judgment is affirmed on appeal, the judgment of the superior court so confirming and validating the issuance of the bonds and the security therefor shall be forever conclusive upon the validity of the bonds and the security therefor.
(l) Bonds issued under this article shall bear a certificate of validation signed with the facsimile or manually executed signature of the clerk of the Superior Court of Fulton County stating the date on which the bonds were validated as provided in this Code section; and such entry shall be original evidence of the fact of judgment and shall be received as original evidence in any court in this state.
(m) The authority shall reimburse the district attorney for his actual costs of the case, if any. For every $5,000.00 in principal amount of bonds or portion thereof, there shall be payable to the clerk of the Superior Court of Fulton County the following fees for validation and confirmation:
| First $500,000.00․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․ | ․․․․․․․․․$1.00 | | --- | --- | | $501,000.00--$2,500,000.00․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․ | ․․․․․․․․․․․.25 | | All over $2,500,000.00․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․ | ․․․․․․․․․․․.10 |
(n) Any other law to the contrary notwithstanding, this article shall govern all civil claims, proceedings, and actions respecting debt of the authority evidenced by revenue bonds.
(o) Nothing in this article shall prohibit the authority from issuing bonds, the interest on which is includable in gross income of the owners thereof for federal income tax purposes.
(a) When payments which are made by political subdivisions pursuant to contracts entered into under subsection (a) of Code Section 46-4-99 are pledged as security for the payment of bonds sought to be validated, the petition for validation shall make party defendant the authority and shall also make parties defendant to such action every political subdivision which has contracted with the authority for the use of the facilities, commodities, and services of the project, if any, for which bonds shall be sought to be validated and issued. In addition, where the bonds are to be issued to finance a project, every other party, whether public or private, contracting with the authority in any manner with relation to the operation of such project, and particularly with relation to any common ownership of such project or to the supplying of gas to the authority or the taking or purchasing of gas from the project, shall be made parties defendant.
(b) All such parties defendant shall be served and shall be required to show cause, if any exists, why such contracts and the terms and conditions thereof should not be inquired into by the court and the validity of the terms thereof determined and the matters and conditions imposed on the parties to such contracts and all such undertakings thereof adjudicated to be valid and binding on the parties thereto.
(c) Notice of such proceedings shall be included in the notice of validation hearing required by subsection (i) of Code Section 46-4-101 to be issued and published by the clerk of the Superior Court of Fulton County. In addition to such notice required to be published in Fulton County, such notice shall also be published in a newspaper or newspapers of general circulation in the State of Georgia, once a week during each of the two weeks immediately preceding the week of the hearing.
(d) Any citizen resident of this state may, at or before the time set for the validation hearing, intervene in the validation proceedings conducted in the Superior Court of Fulton County pursuant to Code Section 46-4-101 and may assert any ground or objection to the validity and binding effect of such contract on his own behalf and on behalf of any political subdivision and of all citizens, residents, and property owners of the state.
(e) No appeal may be taken by any person who was not a party at the time the judgment appealed from was rendered.
(f) An adjudication as to the validity of any such contract which adjudication is unexcepted to within 30 days after the date of the judgment of validation or, if an appeal is filed, which adjudication is confirmed on appeal shall be forever conclusive and binding upon such political subdivisions and the resident citizens and property owners of this state.
In all cases where the authority has adopted a resolution for the issuance of revenue bonds, and where notice has been duly served upon the district attorney for the purpose of securing a judicial validation of such bonds and the security therefor, and where, in such case, there has been a failure on the part of such district attorney or other officer to proceed within the time prescribed by this article, it shall be competent for the authority to represent such facts in writing to the court and to represent further that such failure has been without fault on the part of the authority. In such case, the Superior Court of Fulton County shall have power and authority to inquire into the facts; and, upon being satisfied that such failure has not arisen from any fault or neglect on the part of the authority, it shall be the duty of the court to pass an order directing such district attorney to proceed within ten days to file a complaint as authorized by this article. Thereafter, the proceedings shall be held in the same manner as would have been followed had such petition been duly and promptly filed in the first instance.
The bonds authorized by this article shall be securities in which:
(1) All public officers and bodies of this state;
(2) All political subdivisions of this state;
(3) All insurance companies and associations, and other persons carrying on an insurance business;
(4) All banks, bankers, trust companies, savings banks, and savings associations, including savings and loan associations, building and loan associations, investment companies, and other persons carrying on a banking business;
(5) All administrators, guardians, executors, trustees, and other fiduciaries; and
(6) All other persons whatsoever who are authorized to invest in bonds or other obligations of the state
may properly and legally invest funds, including capital in their control or belonging to them. Such bonds shall also be securities which may be deposited with and shall be received by all public officers and bodies of this state and its political subdivisions for any purpose for which deposit of the bonds or other obligations of this state is authorized.
(a) All or any part of the gross or net revenues and earnings derived from any particular project or system and any and all revenues and earnings received by the authority, regardless of whether such revenues and earnings were produced by a particular project for which bonds have been issued, may be pledged by the authority to the payment of the principal of and interest on revenue bonds of the authority as may be provided in any resolution authorizing the issuance of such bonds or in any trust instrument pertaining to such bonds.
(b) Such funds so pledged, from whatever source received, may include funds received from one or more or all sources and may be set aside at regular intervals into sinking funds for which provision may be made in any such resolution or trust instrument, which sinking funds may be pledged to and charged with the payment of:
(1) The interest upon such revenue bonds as such interest shall become due;
(2) The principal of the bonds as the same shall mature;
(3) The necessary charges of any trustee, paying agent, or registrar for such bonds; and
(4) Any premium upon bonds retired upon call or purchase.
(c) The use and disposition of any sinking fund may be subject to regulations for which provision may be made in the resolution authorizing the issuance of the bonds or in the trust instrument or indenture securing the payment of the same.
(a) In the discretion of the authority, any issue of revenue bonds may be secured by a trust agreement or indenture made by the authority with a corporate trustee, which may be any trust company or bank having the powers of a trust company inside or outside this state. Such trust agreement or indenture may pledge or assign any or all revenue, receipts, and earnings to be received by the authority and any proceeds which may be derived from the disposition of any real or personal property of the authority or proceeds of insurance carried thereon.
(b) The resolution providing for the issuance of revenue bonds and such trust agreement or indenture may contain provisions for protecting and enforcing the rights and remedies of the bond owners, including the right of appointment of a receiver upon default in the payment of any principal or interest obligation and the right of any receiver or trustee to enforce collection of any rates, fees, tolls, charges, or revenues for the use of the services or facilities of the project or system necessary to pay all costs of operation and all reserves provided for, the principal of and interest on all bonds in the issue, all costs of collection, and all other costs reasonably necessary to accomplish the collection of such sums in the event of any default of the authority.
(c) Such resolution, trust agreement, or indenture may include covenants setting forth the duties of the authority regarding the acquisition of property for and the construction of the project and regarding the custody, safeguarding, and application of all funds of the authority, including any proceeds derived from the disposition of any real or personal property of the authority or proceeds of insurance carried thereon. In addition, such resolution, trust agreement, or indenture may include covenants providing for the operation, maintenance, repair, and insurance of the project and may contain provisions concerning the conditions, if any, upon which additional bonds may be issued.
(d) Such resolution, trust agreement, or indenture may set forth the rights and remedies of the bond owners and of the trustee; may restrict the individual right of action of any bond owner in such manner as is customary in securing bonds and debentures of corporations; and may contain such other provisions as the authority may deem reasonable and proper for the security of the bond owners.
(e) All expenses incurred in carrying out any trust agreement or indenture under this Code section may be treated as a part of the cost of maintenance, operation, and repair of the project affected by such trust agreement or indenture.
(a) Proceeds of the bonds issued under authority of this article shall be used solely for the purpose of financing corporate purposes of the authority, including the payment of the cost of projects and the loaning of proceeds to political subdivisions, and shall be disbursed upon requisition or order of such person and under such restrictions as the resolution authorizing the issuance of such bonds or the trust agreement or indenture may provide.
(b) If the proceeds of such bonds, including all series or installments of such issue, by error of calculation or otherwise, are less than the cost of projects or the cost of other purposes financed thereby, then, unless otherwise provided in the resolution authorizing the issuance of the bonds or in the trust agreement or indenture, additional bonds may in like manner be issued, subject to the requirements of subsection (a) of Code Section 46-4-101 to provide the amount of such deficit. Unless otherwise provided in the resolution authorizing the issuance of the bonds or in the trust agreement or indenture, such additional bonds shall be deemed to be of the same issue and shall be entitled to payment from the same fund, without preference or priority, as the bonds first issued for the same purpose.
(c) If the proceeds of the bonds of any issue exceed the amount required for the purpose for which such bonds are issued, the surplus shall be paid into the fund provided for the payment of principal and interest of such bonds.
(d) In the discretion of the authority, revenue bonds of a single issue or series or installment of such issue may be issued for the purpose of paying the cost of any one or more projects.
(a) If any bond becomes mutilated or is lost, stolen, or destroyed, the authority may execute and deliver, and the trustee may authenticate, a new bond of like date of issue, maturity date, principal amount, and interest rate per annum as the bond so mutilated, lost, stolen, or destroyed; which new bond shall have the same provisions in all respects as those on the bond mutilated, lost, stolen, or destroyed, provided that:
(1) In the case of any mutilated bond, such bond is first surrendered to the authority or to the trustee;
(2) In the case of any lost, stolen, or destroyed bond, there is first furnished evidence of such loss, theft, or destruction satisfactory to the authority and the trustee, together with indemnity satisfactory to the authority and the trustee;
(3) All other reasonable requirements of the authority and the trustee are complied with; and
(4) Expenses in connection with such transaction are paid.
(b) Any bonds surrendered for exchange shall be canceled.
(c) The authority shall be authorized to print the new bond with the validation certificate bearing the facsimile signature of the clerk of the superior court then in office, and such certificate shall have the same force and effect as in the first instance. All responsibility with respect to the issuance of any such new bonds shall be with the authority and not with such clerk; and such clerk shall have no liability in the event an overissuance occurs.
Interest shall cease to accrue on any bond on the date that such bond becomes due for payment if said payment is made or duly provided for, but liability for such bond and for the accrued interest thereon shall continue until such bond is 20 years overdue for payment. At that time, unless demand for payment has been made, such obligation shall be extinguished and shall be deemed no longer outstanding.
Unless otherwise directed by the authority, every evidence of indebtedness and interest coupon paid or otherwise retired shall forthwith be marked “canceled” and shall be delivered by the paying agent making payment thereof to the authority, whereupon the evidence of indebtedness or the interest coupon shall be destroyed and a certificate of destruction shall be filed in the records of the authority.
The fiscal officer of the authority or his agent shall maintain records containing a full and correct description of each evidence of indebtedness issued, identifying it and showing its date, issue, amount, interest rate, payment dates, payments made, registration, cancellation, destruction, and every other relevant transaction.
The authority may appoint one or more paying agents for each issue or series or installment of bonds. Every such paying agent shall be an incorporated bank or trust company authorized by the laws of the United States or of the state in which it is located to do a banking or trust business. The authority may make such provisions respecting paying agents as it deems necessary or useful and may enter into a contract with any paying agents containing such terms, including its compensation, and such conditions in regard to the paying agents as the authority deems necessary or useful.
(a) The authority shall have the power and is authorized, whenever revenue bonds of the authority have been validated as provided in Code Section 46-4-101, to issue from time to time its negotiable notes in anticipation of the issuance of such bonds as validated and to renew from time to time any such notes by the issuance of new notes, regardless of whether the notes to be renewed have matured. The authority may issue notes only to provide funds which would otherwise be provided by the issuance of the bonds as validated. The notes may be authorized, sold, executed, and delivered in the same manner as bonds.
(b) Any resolution authorizing notes of the authority or any issue thereof may contain any provisions which the authority is authorized to include in any resolution authorizing bonds of the authority or any issue thereof; and the authority may include in any notes any terms, covenants, or conditions which it is authorized to include in any bonds.
(c) All notes shall be general obligations of the authority, payable out of any of its funds or revenues, subject only to any contractual rights of the holders of any of its notes or other obligations then outstanding, provided that there may be specially pledged to the payment of such notes the proceeds to be derived from the issuance of the validated bonds in anticipation of the issuance of which the notes have been issued.
(d) Validation of such bonds shall be a condition precedent to the issuance of such notes, but it shall not be required that such notes be judicially validated.
(e) Bond anticipation notes shall not be issued in an amount exceeding the par value of the bonds in anticipation of which they are to be issued.
Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, every evidence of indebtedness issued under this article shall have all the rights and incidences of negotiable instruments, subject to provisions for registration.
(a) Neither the members of the authority nor any person executing bonds or notes on behalf of the authority shall be personally liable thereon by reason of the issuance thereof.
(b) Neither the revenue bonds or notes issued under this article nor the instruments evidencing the obligations which constitute the security therefor shall constitute a debt of, a loan by, or a pledge of the faith and credit of the State of Georgia or of any political subdivision thereof. Rather, such bonds and notes shall be payable from the revenues of the authority as provided in the resolutions, trust agreements, or indentures authorizing or securing the issuance and payment of such bonds or notes. The issuance of such bonds or notes shall not obligate the state or any political subdivision thereof to levy or pledge any form of taxation whatever for the payment thereof. No owner of any such bond or note, and no receiver or trustee in connection therewith, shall have the right to enforce the payment of the bond or note against any property of the state or of any political subdivision thereof; nor shall any such bond or note constitute a charge, lien, or encumbrance, whether legal or equitable, upon any such property.
(c) All such bonds and notes shall contain on their face a recital setting forth the complete immunity of the state and any political subdivisions from liability thereon, which recital shall contain substantially the foregoing provisions of this Code section.
While any of the bonds or notes issued by the authority remain outstanding, the powers, duties, or existence of the authority or of its officers, employees, or agents shall not be diminished, impaired, or affected in any manner which will affect adversely the interest and rights of the owners of such bonds or notes; and no other authority, instrumentality, or body will be created or empowered to compete with the authority so as to affect adversely the interests and rights of the owners of such bonds or notes; nor will the state itself so compete with the authority. This article shall be for the benefit of the state, the authority, and every owner of the authority's bonds and notes and, upon and after the issuance of bonds or notes under this article, shall constitute an irrevocable contract by the state with the owners of such bonds and notes.
(a) If the authority defaults on the payment of the principal or interest on any of the revenue bonds after the same become due, whether at maturity or upon call for redemption, and such default continues for a period of 30 days, or if the authority or its officers, agents, or employees fail or refuse to comply with the essential provisions of this article or default in any material respect on any agreement made with the holders of the revenue bonds, any holders of revenue bonds or a trustee therefor shall have the right to apply in an appropriate judicial proceeding to the Superior Court of Fulton County for the appointment of a receiver of the undertaking, regardless of whether all revenue bonds have been declared due and payable, and regardless of whether such holder or trustee therefor is seeking or has sought to enforce any other right or exercise any remedy in connection with such revenue bonds. Upon such application, the court, if it deems such action necessary for the protection of the bondholders, may appoint a receiver for the undertaking, provided that such appointment shall be mandatory if the application is made by the holders of 25 percent in principal amount of such revenue bonds then outstanding, or by any trustee for holders of such revenue bonds in such principal amount.
(b) A receiver appointed pursuant to subsection (a) of this Code section shall forthwith, directly or by his agents and attorneys, enter into and upon and take possession of the project or of such portion thereof or interest therein as is owned by the authority. If the court so directs, the receiver may wholly exclude from the project the authority, its officers, agents, and employees, and all persons claiming under them. Upon taking possession of the project, the receiver shall have, hold, use, operate, manage, and control the same and each and every part thereof and, in the name of the authority or otherwise, as the receiver may deem best, shall exercise all of the rights and powers of the authority with respect to the undertaking as the authority itself might do. The receiver shall maintain, restore, insure, and keep insured the project or such portion or interest therein as is owned by the authority; from time to time shall make all such necessary or proper repairs as the receiver may deem expedient; shall establish and maintain rates and collect such fees, tolls, and other charges in connection with the project as the receiver may deem necessary or proper and reasonable; and shall collect and receive all revenues, shall deposit the same in a separate account, and shall apply such revenues so collected and received in such manner as the court shall direct, provided that the duties of the receiver as described in this subsection shall be performed in a manner consistent with any and all existing contractual arrangements to which the authority may be a party; and the powers of the receiver shall be no greater than the powers of the authority.
(c) Whenever all amounts due upon the revenue bonds and interest thereon have been cured and made good; and whenever a similar cure and making good has been effected in regard to any other notes, bonds, or other obligations, and interest thereon, which constitute a charge, lien, or encumbrance on the revenues of the project under any of the terms of any covenants or agreements with holders of revenue bonds; then, if it appears to the court that no default is imminent, the court shall direct the receiver to surrender possession of the project to the authority, provided that the same right of the holders of the revenue bonds to secure the appointment of a receiver as is provided in subsection (a) of this Code section shall exist upon any subsequent default.
(d) A receiver shall, in the performance of the powers conferred upon him by this Code section, act under the direction and supervision of the court making such appointment, shall at all times be subject to the orders and decrees of such court, and may be removed thereby. Nothing contained in this Code section shall limit or restrict the jurisdiction of such court to enter such other and further orders and decrees as the court may deem necessary or appropriate for the exercise by the receiver of any functions specifically set forth in this Code section.
(a) For the purpose of earning sufficient revenue to make possible the financing with revenue bonds of the construction of the projects of the authority or the accomplishment of its corporate purposes, the authority is authorized to fix and revise rates and collect fees, tolls, and charges on each project which it causes to be acquired or constructed or on the systems. Such rates, fees, tolls, and charges to be paid for the use of the facilities or services of such projects or systems shall be so fixed and adjusted from time to time as to provide a fund which, together with other revenue, if any, of such projects or of the authority, will be sufficient:
(1) To pay:
(A) The costs of operating, maintaining, repairing, and disposing of the projects, including reserves for insurance and extraordinary repairs, reserves required by the resolution, or other reasonable reserves established by the authority trust agreement, or indenture pertaining to such bonds and the issuance thereof, unless such costs shall be otherwise provided for;
(B) The costs of operating and conducting the business of the authority, including salaries; fees for professional services, including legal, engineering, and others; and all expenses properly relating to the conduct of the affairs of the authority;
(C) The costs of gas, whether produced by the authority or acquired from others; and
(D) All other costs associated with the operation and maintenance of the authority and its projects and facilities;
(2) To pay the principal of and interest on such revenue bonds as the same become due, including all premiums, if any, the proceeds of which shall have been or will be used to pay the cost of such projects, which cost shall include all elements of cost authorized by this article, including acquisition of property, whether real or personal, and any interest in property; clearing and preparing land for the purposes of this article; architectural, engineering, financial, and legal services; construction of projects authorized by this article; administrative expenses; funds for initiating the operation of the project; and interest prior to and during construction and during such period of time thereafter as may be determined by the authority;
(3) To comply with any sinking fund requirements contained in the resolution, trust agreement, or indenture pertaining to the issuance of and security for such bonds;
(4) To perform fully all provisions of such resolution, trust agreement, or indenture relating to the issuance of or security for such bonds to the payment of which such revenue is pledged;
(5) To accumulate any excess income which may be required by the purchasers of such bonds or may be dictated by the requirements of such resolution, trust agreement, or indenture or by the requirements of achieving ready marketability of and low interest rates on such bonds; and
(6) To pay expenses in connection with such bond issue or such projects, including, but not limited to, trustees and fiscal fees.
(b) The rates, fees, tolls, and charges authorized by subsection (a) of this Code section shall be payable at such intervals as may be agreed upon and set forth in the contract providing therefor. Any such contract may provide for the commencement of payments, not necessarily based directly on rates, to the authority prior to the completion of the undertaking by the authority of any such project and may require payments for the establishment of reserves for rate stabilization purposes; may provide for the making of payments during such times as such projects may be partially or wholly not in use, whether or not any such project has been completed, is then operable, or is operating; and may provide that such payments shall not be subject to any reduction, by offset or otherwise, and shall not be conditioned upon the performance or nonperformance by any party of any agreement.
(c) Such contract may obligate the political subdivision to indemnify and save harmless the authority from any and all damage to persons and property occurring on or by reason of the project, and may also obligate the political subdivision to undertake, at the expense of the political subdivision, the defense of any action brought against the authority by reason of injury or damages to persons or property occurring on or by reason of the project.
(d) In the event of any failure or refusal on the part of the political subdivision to perform punctually any covenant or obligation contained in any such contract, the authority may enforce performance by any legal or equitable process, including specific performance.
(e) Any payments due or to become due to the authority pursuant to any such contract may be assigned by the authority to a trustee or paying agent as may be required by the terms of the resolution, trust agreement, or indenture relating to the issuance of and security for such bonds.
(f) The use and disposition of the authority's revenue shall be subject to the provisions of the resolution authorizing the issuance of such bonds or of the trust agreement or indenture, if any, securing the same.
All funds received pursuant to authority of this article, whether as proceeds from the sale of revenue bonds or as revenues, fees, tolls, charges, or other earnings or as gifts, grants, or other contributions, shall be deemed to be trust funds to be held and applied solely as provided in this article. The bond owners entitled to receive the benefits of such funds shall have a lien on all such funds until applied as provided in any such resolution, trust agreement, or indenture of the authority.
The authority, together with all funds established in connection with its debt, shall be audited no less frequently than annually by an independent certified public accountant to be selected by the authority. Copies of such audit shall be available upon request to interested parties, including, but without limitation, the holders of the authority's bonds and all parties contracting with the authority.
(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this Code section, any action to protect or enforce any rights under this article brought in the courts of this state shall be brought in the superior court of the county in which the principal office of the authority is located.
(b) Any action pertaining to validation of the bonds issued under this article and pertaining to validation of the contracts constituting security for bonds shall be brought in the Superior Court of Fulton County. That court shall have exclusive original jurisdiction of any such action.
(a) The rates, services, and practices relating to the exploration, manufacture, development, storage, production, transmission, and sale by the authority of gas as authorized by this article shall not be subject to the provisions of the Georgia Public Service Commission law nor to regulation.
(b) The provisions of this article do not, and are not intended to, increase or diminish the authority and jurisdiction of the Public Service Commission with respect to the distribution, sale, or transmission of gas by any county, municipal corporation, or other political subdivision of this state.
Meetings of the authority shall be subject to Chapter 14 of Title 50. All records of the authority shall be subject to Article 4 of Chapter 18 of Title 50.
The provisions of this article shall be regarded as supplementary and additional to and cumulative of powers conferred by other laws and shall not be regarded as being in derogation of any powers conferred by any other law.
This article, being for the welfare of the state and its inhabitants, shall be liberally construed to effect the purposes hereof.
This article shall be known and may be cited as the “Natural Gas Competition and Deregulation Act.”
(a) The General Assembly finds:
(1) It is in the public interest to establish a new regulatory model for the natural gas industry in Georgia to reflect the transition to a reliance on market based competition as the best mechanism for the selection and provision of natural gas services at the most efficient pricing;
(2) In order to ensure the implementation of this new reliance on market based competition, any regulatory impediments, whether statutory or administrative, to competition for natural gas services must be removed in those areas of the natural gas industry where competition actually exists;
(3) All consumers deserve to receive natural gas service on reasonable terms and at reasonable prices; and
(4) That protecting natural gas consumers in this new reliance on market based competition is the most important factor to consider in any decisions to be made in accordance with this article.
(b) It is the intent of this article to:
(1) Promote competition in the natural gas industry;
(2) Protect the consumer during and after the transition to a competitive natural gas market;
(3) Maintain and encourage safe and reliable natural gas service;
(4) Deregulate those components of the natural gas industry subject to actual competition;
(5) Continue to regulate those natural gas services subject to monopoly power;
(6) Promote an orderly and expeditious transition of the natural gas industry toward fully developed competition;
(7) Provide for rate-making methods which the General Assembly finds appropriate for the provision of natural gas services, including without limitation the use of straight fixed variable rate design, the recovery of certain stranded costs, and the use of alternative forms of rate regulation;
(8) Allow gas companies the opportunity to compete effectively in a competitive marketplace;
(9) Provide a bill of rights for consumers as follows:
(A) All consumers must have access to reliable, safe, and affordable gas service, including high quality customer service;
(B) All consumers must have the right to receive accurate, easily understood information about gas marketers, services, plans, terms and conditions, and rights and remedies. The information must be unbiased, accurate, and understandable in a written form, which allows for comparison of prices and terms of service;
(C) All consumers must receive the benefits of new services, technological advances, improved efficiency, and competitive prices;
(D) Standards for protecting consumers in matters such as deposit and credit requirements, service denials and terminations, and deferred payment provisions must be applied fairly to all consumers;
(E) All consumers must be protected from unfair, deceptive, fraudulent, and anticompetitive practices, including, but not limited to, practices such as cramming, slamming, and providing deceptive information regarding billing terms and conditions of service;
(F) All consumers shall receive accurate and timely bills from their marketers;
(G) All consumers are entitled to protection of their privacy and must be protected from improper use of their customer records or payment histories without their express consent;
(H) All consumers must be protected from price increases resulting from inequitable price shifting; and
(I) All consumers have the right to a fair and efficient process for resolving differences with marketers, including a system of internal review and an independent system of external review; and
(10) Provide that, in the event of any conflict between paragraph (9) of this subsection and any other paragraph of this subsection, the provisions of paragraph (9) shall override such other paragraph or paragraphs.
As used in this article, the term:
(1) “Adequate market conditions” means the existence of market conditions in relation to distribution service within a particular delivery group that have been determined pursuant to subsection (b) of Code Section 46-4-156 to warrant customer assignment.
(2) “Affiliate” means another person which controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with such person.
(3) “Ancillary service” means a service that is ancillary to the receipt or delivery of natural gas, including without limitation storage, balancing, peaking, and customer services.
(4) “Commodity sales service” means the sale of natural gas exclusive of any distribution or ancillary service.
(4.1) “Consumer” means a retail customer of commodity sales service or of firm distribution service who uses such service or services primarily for personal, family, or household purposes.
(5) “Control” includes without limitation the possession, directly or indirectly and whether acting alone or in conjunction with others, of the authority to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a person. A voting interest of 10 percent or more creates a rebuttable presumption of control. A voting interest of 25 percent or more is deemed to constitute control. The term control includes the terms controlling, controlled by, and under control with.
(5.1) “Cramming” means billing for goods or services not requested or authorized by a consumer.
(6) “Customer assignment” means the process described in subsection (e) of Code Section 46-4-156 whereby retail customers within a particular distribution group who are not under contract for distribution service from a marketer are randomly assigned to certificated marketers.
(7) “Customer service” means a function related to serving a retail customer including without limitation billing, meter reading, turn-on service, and turn-off service. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, any person may perform one or more customer services without first becoming certificated in accordance with Code Section 46-4-153; provided, however, that such service may only be performed in compliance with all state and federal laws pertaining to the safety of natural gas pipelines and distribution systems and any other applicable safety standards.
(8) “Delivery group” means a set of individual delivery points on one or more interstate pipeline suppliers to a gas company that may be aggregated and utilized for the distribution of gas to a particular set of retail customers.
(9) “Distribution service” means the delivery of natural gas by and through the intrastate instrumentalities and facilities of a gas company or of a marketer certificated pursuant to Code Section 46-4-153, regardless of the party having title to the natural gas.
(10) “Electing distribution company” means a gas company which elects to become subject to the provisions of this article and satisfies the requirements of Code Section 46-4-154.
(10.1) “Electric membership corporation” or “EMC” means any person defined in paragraph (3) or (5) of Code Section 46-3-171.
(10.2) “Electric utility” means any electric power company subject to the rate regulation of the commission in accordance with Code Sections 46-2-20 and 46-2-21.
(10.3) “Electricity activities” means all activities associated with the generation, transportation, marketing, and distribution of electricity.
(10.4) “EMC gas affiliate” means a separately organized person, the majority interest of which is owned or held by or, with respect to a cooperative, managed by one or more cooperatives or electric membership corporations and which applies to the commission for a certificate of authority pursuant to Code Section 46-4-153.
(11) “Firm” means a type of distribution service which ordinarily is not subject to interruption or curtailment.
(11.1) “Gas activities” means all activities associated with the transportation, marketing, and distribution of natural gas conducted by a person certificated pursuant to Code Section 46-4-153. Such term shall not mean the production, transportation, marketing, or distribution of liquefied petroleum gas.
(12) “Interruptible” means a type of distribution service which is subject to interruption or curtailment.
(12.1) “Low-income residential consumer” means any person who meets the definition of a person who is qualified for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, as promulgated by the Department of Human Services, pursuant to Code Section 46-1-5.
(12.2) “Majority interest” means the ownership of greater than 50 percent of:
(A) The partnership interests in a general or limited partnership;
(B) The membership interests of a limited liability company; or
(C) The stock in a for profit corporation which entitles the shareholder to vote and share in common or preferred dividends.
(13) “Marketer” means any person certificated by the commission to provide commodity sales service or distribution services pursuant to Code Section 46-4-153 and ancillary services incident thereto.
(14) “Person” means any corporation, whether public or private; company; individual; firm; partnership; or association, including a cooperative or an electric membership corporation.
(14.1) “Regulated gas service” means gas service provided by a regulated provider of natural gas.
(14.2) “Regulated provider of natural gas” means the entity selected by the commission to provide to consumers natural gas commodity service and ancillary services incident thereto in accordance with Code Section 46-4-166.
(15) “Retail customer” or “retail purchaser” means a person who purchases commodity sales service or distribution service and such purchase is not for the purpose of resale.
(15.1) “Slamming” means changing or causing a change of a consumer's service from one marketer or provider to another marketer or provider without request or authorization from the consumer.
(16) “Straight fixed variable” means a rate form in which the fixed costs of providing distribution service are recovered through one or more fixed components and the variable costs are recovered through one or more variable components.
(17) “Winter heating season” means the calendar days from October 1 of one year through March 31, inclusive, of the following year.
(a)(1) No person other than a gas company or a regulated provider shall sell or offer to sell in intrastate commerce to any retail customer who receives primarily firm service within this state any commodity sales service or distribution service without first obtaining a certificate of authority from the commission covering the territory where such retail customer is located. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, any person selected by an electing distribution company, a certificated marketer, or a regulated provider may perform billing and meter reading services on behalf of such entity without first becoming certificated in accordance with the provisions of this Code section, provided that a certificated marketer or a regulated provider also submits the meter reading data so obtained to the electing distribution company in a timely manner.
(2) The commission shall have the authority to issue multiple certificates of authority with respect to a particular territory upon a showing that the applicant:
(A) Possesses satisfactory financial and technical capability to render the certificated service;
(B) Has a sufficient gas supply to meet the requirements of such service; and
(C) Will offer such service pursuant to rules and contract terms which the commission finds economically viable for the territory which the marketer proposes to serve.
(3) A showing of public convenience and necessity is not a condition for the issuance of a competing certificate of authority.
(4) A certificate of authority shall authorize the marketer to use intrastate capacity available to it from a gas company to provide interruptible distribution service when not required by the marketer to provide firm distribution service.
(b) A person who seeks a certificate of authority shall make an application to the commission which contains the information required by this Code section.
(c)(1) No later than December 31, 1997, the commission shall promulgate regulations describing the information to be included in an application for certification under this Code section and the criteria it will use in determining an applicant's financial and technical capability. Such criteria shall seek to ensure the reliability and high quality of gas service provided to consumers, while imposing no unnecessary barriers to entry, including without limitation administrative barriers to entry.
(2) No such application shall be filed with respect to territory covered by the certificate of public convenience and necessity of a gas company until such gas company has filed a notice of election pursuant to the provisions of subsection (a) of Code Section 46-4-154.
(3) Until the expiration of 15 days following the effective date of rates approved by the commission pursuant to Code Section 46-4-154 for an electing distribution company, the commission shall not approve or disapprove any complete application for a certificate of authority covering territory certificated to such electing distribution company which application is filed prior to such expiration date, and all applications for certificates of authority filed prior to such expiration date shall be considered by the commission simultaneously.
(4) Within 60 days following such expiration date, the commission shall conduct a public hearing or hearings on all complete applications filed prior to such expiration date. Within 90 days following such expiration date, the commission shall issue its orders approving or disapproving each of such applications for a certificate of authority.
(5) The commission shall conduct a public hearing on any application for a certificate of authority filed subsequent to such expiration date within 60 days following the filing of such application; and within 90 days following such filing, the commission shall issue its order approving or disapproving such application.
(d) Any certificate of authority issued by the commission is subject to revocation, suspension, or adjustment where the commission finds upon complaint and hearing that a marketer has failed repeatedly or has failed willfully to meet obligations to its retail customers and consumers which are imposed by this article, regulations issued pursuant to this article, or the marketer's certificate of authority; has engaged in unfair competition; or has abused its market position.
(e) The commission may deny an application upon a showing that the applicant or anyone acting in concert with the applicant has a history of violations of laws, rules, or regulations designed to protect the public. The commission may revoke any certificate issued pursuant to this Code section where it finds that the marketer or anyone acting in concert with the marketer has such a history, that any information on the application was falsified or forged, that the marketer has acted unlawfully to the detriment of the public while certificated, or for any other good and valid reason where activities of the marketer are serving or could serve to mislead, deceive, or work a fraud upon members of the public. The commission shall be authorized to adopt rules and regulations to implement this subsection. In any case where it is asserted in good faith that the marketer is, has been, or may be about to become involved in activities described in this subsection, any deadline imposed under this Code section regarding the granting of certification shall be null and void until such time as such assertions can be addressed.
(f) All gas marketers are required to continue to possess financial and technical capability to render service and offer service pursuant to contractual terms and conditions the commission from time to time finds economically viable for delivery groups served. This is a continuing obligation and may be reviewed by the commission at any time.
(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this article or Article 4 of Chapter 3 of this title, the commission shall have authority to issue certificates of authority to an EMC gas affiliate but shall not have authority to issue certificates of authority to an electric membership corporation. The commission's order granting a certificate of authority to an EMC gas affiliate shall include terms and conditions to govern the relationship between the electric membership corporation and its EMC gas affiliate. The terms and conditions shall be designed to prevent cross-subsidization between the provision of electricity and the provision of natural gas services, to encourage and promote fair competition in the overall retail natural gas market, and to protect the privacy of both electric and natural gas consumers.
(b) The order by the commission pursuant to this Code section shall include the requirements set forth in this subsection, as well as such other rules as the commission shall determine are necessary to protect electric and natural gas consumers and promote competition:
(1) To ensure that cross-subsidizations do not occur between the electricity services of an electric membership corporation and the gas activities of its gas affiliate, the terms and conditions ordered by the commission shall provide that each electric membership corporation having a gas affiliate shall:
(A) Fully allocate all electricity activities costs and gas activities costs, including costs for any shared services, between the electric membership corporation's electricity activities and the gas activities of its gas affiliate, in accordance with the applicable uniform system of accounts and generally accepted accounting principles, as applicable;
(B) Develop and maintain a cost allocation manual, approved by the commission, describing the electric membership corporation's methods of cost allocation and such other information and policies reasonably required by the commission to ensure compliance with this article and the terms and conditions ordered by the commission. Such manual shall:
(i) Establish rules for the pricing of transactions between an electric membership corporation and its gas affiliate, including the transfer of assets between the two;
(ii) Provide that any loans from the electric membership corporation to its gas affiliate shall be at market rates, shall not reflect rates which are generally available through the use of any tax exempt financing, and may not be tied to any loans from the federal or state government;
(iii) Require the electric membership corporation and its gas affiliate to maintain separate books of accounts and records which shall, subject to the commission's rules for treatment of trade secrets, be subject to production and inspection by the commission for the sole purpose of confirming compliance with this article, the cost allocation manual, and the terms and conditions of the gas affiliate's certificate; and
(iv) Require the annual filing of a statement with the commission certifying the compliance by the electric membership corporation and its gas affiliate with the approved cost allocation manual; and
(C) Not charge any costs of the gas affiliate to the electricity customers of the electric membership corporation; and
(2) To protect customer privacy and prevent the misuse of customer information, the terms and conditions ordered by the commission shall provide that no electric membership corporation shall release any proprietary customer information to its gas affiliate without obtaining prior verifiable authorization from the customer, as determined in accordance with rules established by the commission.
(c) The commission may require that any customer service that an electric membership corporation provides to its gas affiliate be offered to all marketers at the same rate and on the same terms and conditions as provided to the gas affiliate. Any such services provided to the gas affiliate or marketers must be on a strictly confidential basis, such that the electric membership corporation does not share information regarding one marketer with any other marketer, including an EMC gas affiliate.
(d) The terms and conditions shall accommodate the organizational structures of electric membership corporations.
(e) To assure separate but coordinating governance of an electric membership corporation and its gas affiliate, the terms and conditions shall prohibit more than one-half of the persons serving as members of the board of directors of a gas affiliate from at the same time serving on the board of directors of an electric membership corporation.
(f) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Code section, the commission shall make accommodation for the specific legal requirements imposed by state or federal laws applicable to electric membership corporations and other cooperatives.
(a) A gas company may elect to become subject to the provisions of this article by filing a notice of election with the commission and by filing an application to establish just and reasonable rates, including separate rates for unbundled services. Pursuant to such application, the commission shall:
(1) Maintain rates for interruptible distribution service at the levels set forth in the rate schedules approved by the commission and in effect on the day the gas company files a notice of election as provided for in this Code section;
(2) After notice and hearing, establish rates for firm distribution service using a reasonable method of rate design, which may, at the commission's discretion, include a straight fixed variable method of rate design; provided, however, that a consumer shall not be required to pay a fee for distribution service during any billing period when the consumer's meter is turned off; and provided, further, that the method of rate design selected by the commission shall provide for recovery of the revenue requirements of the electing distribution company;
(3) Establish separate rates and charges, which may be based on market value, for each type of ancillary service which is classified separately;
(4) Provide for the recovery in rates of those costs which the commission determines are prudently incurred and used and useful in providing utility service; and
(5) Provide for recovery of costs found by the commission to be stranded and necessary to provide a reasonable return, provided that only prudently incurred stranded costs that cannot be mitigated may be recovered.
(b) In any proceeding before the commission to establish rates as provided in subsection (a) of this Code section, the commission shall prescribe rates for the services and cost recovery purposes specified in paragraphs (2), (3), (4), and (5) of subsection (a) of this Code section at levels which are designed to recover the costs of service of the electing distribution company as established by the commission in such proceeding. In such proceeding, the commission shall also prescribe a mechanism by which 95 percent of the revenues to the electing distribution company from rates for interruptible distribution service shall be credited to the universal service fund established for that electing distribution company pursuant to Code Section 46-4-161. Each electing distribution company is authorized to retain for the benefit of its shareholders or owners 5 percent of the revenues the electing distribution company received from rates for interruptible service. Each electing distribution company which retains 5 percent of such revenues shall make a report to the commission annually describing the benefits resulting to firm retail customers from interruptible distribution service revenues.
(c) In addition to any other applicable filing requirements, any such application by a gas company shall include the following:
(1) An identification of each component of natural gas service, including but not limited to commodity sales service, distribution service, and ancillary services, which are to be unbundled and offered under separate rates, together with the total costs to provide each such service by the electing distribution company including a return on investment;
(2) Provisions for offering each unbundled service on an equal access, nondiscriminatory basis;
(3) A description of the method by which the electing distribution company proposes to allocate its intrastate capacity for firm distribution service to a marketer based upon the peak requirements of the firm retail customers served by the marketer;
(4) A description of the method by which the electing distribution company proposes to allocate its rights to interstate pipeline and underground storage to a marketer based upon the peak requirements of the firm retail customers served by the marketer; and
(5) A plan for establishing and operating an electronic bulletin board by which the electing distribution company will provide marketers with equal and timely access to information relevant to the availability of firm distribution service.
(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, the commission shall hold a hearing regarding an application filed pursuant to this Code section and may suspend the operation of the proposed schedules and defer the use of the proposed rates, charges, classifications, or services for a period of not longer than six months.
(e) The commission shall establish a surcharge on all customers receiving interruptible service over the electing distribution company's distribution system sufficient to ensure that such customers will pay an equitable share of the cost of the distribution system over which such customers receive service. The commission is authorized to direct the electing distribution company or the marketers to collect such surcharge directly from the customers. Such surcharge shall be paid promptly upon receipt into the universal service fund. This surcharge shall not be applied to any hospital that has a medicare and Medicaid payor mix of at least 30 percent and has uncompensated writeoffs for the provision of charity, indigent, and free health care services of not less than 5 percent of such hospital's annual operating expenses based on the annual hospital surveys by the Department of Community Health. This surcharge shall not be applied to any institution or property enumerated in Code Section 50-16-3, or administered or regulated under authority granted by Code Section 42-2-5 or 49-4A-6 or by Chapter 9 of Title 50.
(a) Except as otherwise provided by this article, an electing distribution company which offers firm distribution service remains subject to the jurisdiction of the commission under this title. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the commission shall have general supervision of such company pursuant to Code Section 46-2-20, and the rates of an electing distribution company for firm distribution service and the ancillary services which are subject to the rate jurisdiction of the commission shall be established in accordance with the provisions of this article and Code Section 46-2-23.1.
(b) An electing distribution company shall offer liquefied natural gas peaking service to marketers at rates and on terms approved by the commission, subject however to the following:
(1) If a marketer which is not affiliated with an electing distribution company obtains a peaking service in a delivery group from a person other than the electing distribution company, the rate for liquefied natural gas peaking service by the electing distribution company in such delivery group shall not be subject to approval by the commission but shall be capped at 120 percent of the rate for such service previously established by the commission; and
(2) If the commission determines pursuant to a filing by the electing distribution company or otherwise, and based upon the factors listed in subsection (c) of this Code section, that reasonably available alternatives for such peaking services exist in the delivery group, the rate for such services in a delivery group shall not be subject to regulation by the commission and the plant and equipment of the electing distribution company which is used and useful for receiving gas for liquefaction, liquefying gas, storing liquefied natural gas, and re-gasifying liquefied natural gas, including the land upon which such plant and equipment is located, shall be removed from the rate base for rate-making purposes of the electing distribution company in an amount which is the lower of the fair market value or the depreciated book value of such facilities. In addition, the rates for firm distribution service of the electing distribution company shall be adjusted to eliminate any applicable recovery of the operation and maintenance expenses associated with such facilities and gas in storage in such facilities, as well as the return on investment attributable to the amount removed from the rate base. For purposes of such review and determination, the fact that such services have been obtained by a marketer which is not affiliated with the electing distribution company shall create a presumption that there are reasonably available alternatives for such peaking services in the delivery group.
(c) An electing distribution company shall offer each type of customer service to marketers at rates and on terms approved by the commission in accordance with this article and Code Section 46-2-23.1 until such time as the commission determines that marketers have reasonably available alternatives to purchasing such service from the electing distribution company. The commission shall make a separate determination for each type of service. In making such determinations, the commission shall consider the following factors:
(1) The number and size of alternative providers of the service;
(2) The extent to which the service is available from alternative providers in the relevant market;
(3) The ability of alternative providers to make functionally equivalent or substitute services readily available at competitive prices, terms, and conditions; and
(4) Other indicators of market power which may include market share, growth in market share, ease of entry, and the affiliation of providers of a service.
(d) For each delivery group for which the commission has not determined pursuant to Code Section 46-4-156 that adequate market conditions exist, and thus has not initiated customer assignment, an electing distribution company shall:
(1) Offer interruptible distribution service and balancing services at rates and on terms approved by the commission in accordance with the provisions of this article and Code Section 46-2-23.1 to retail customers and marketers, subject to the rules, regulations, and general terms and conditions of the electing distribution company as approved by the commission;
(2) Offer firm distribution service at rates and on terms approved by the commission in accordance with the provisions of this article and Code Section 46-2-23.1 to retail customers and marketers, subject to the rules, regulations, and general terms and conditions of the electing distribution company as approved by the commission; and
(3) Offer in conjunction with such firm distribution service a commodity sales service; provided, however, that the rates for such commodity sales service shall be established pursuant to the provisions of Code Section 46-2-26.5, relating to the filing and adoption of a gas supply plan; and provided, further, that the rates for such commodity sales service shall not be subject to the provisions of Code Section 46-2-26.5 nor subject to the approval of the commission if at least five marketers, excluding any marketer which is an affiliate of the electing distribution company, have been granted certificates of authority to serve in the delivery group.
(e)(1) As used in this subsection, the term “interstate capacity assets” means interstate transportation and out-of-state gas storage capacity.
(2) If, pursuant to the provisions of this article, the rates for commodity sales service of an electing distribution company within a delivery group or groups become no longer subject to the approval of the commission nor to the provisions of Code Section 46-2-26.5, the electing distribution company nevertheless shall continue to be responsible for acquiring and contracting for the interstate capacity assets necessary for gas to be made available on its system, whether directly or by assignment to marketers, for firm distribution service to retail customers within such delivery group or groups unless determined otherwise by the commission in accordance with this subsection.
(3) At least every third year following the date when the rates for commodity sales service within a delivery group or groups become no longer subject to commission approval nor to the provisions of Code Section 46-2-26.5, the electing distribution company shall file, on or before August 1 of such year, a capacity supply plan which designates the array of available interstate capacity assets selected by the electing distribution company for the purpose of making gas available on its system for firm distribution service to retail customers in such delivery group or groups.
(4) Not less than ten days after any such filing by an electing distribution company, the commission shall conduct a public hearing on the filing. The electing distribution company's testimony shall be under oath and shall, with any corrections thereto, constitute the electing distribution company's affirmative case. At any hearing conducted pursuant to this subsection, the burden of proof to show that the proposed capacity supply plan is appropriate shall be upon the electing distribution company.
(5) Following such a hearing, the commission shall issue an order approving the capacity supply plan filed by the electing distribution company or adopting a capacity supply plan for the electing distribution company that the commission deems appropriate. Should the commission fail or refuse to issue an order by the ninetieth day after the electing distribution company's filing which either approves the capacity supply plan filed by the electing distribution company or adopts a different capacity supply plan for the electing distribution company, the capacity supply plan proposed by the electing distribution company shall thereupon be deemed approved by operation of law.
(6) Any capacity supply plan approved or adopted by the commission shall:
(A) Specify the range of the requirements to be supplied by interstate capacity assets;
(B) Describe the array of interstate capacity assets selected by the electing distribution company to meet such requirements;
(C) Describe the criteria of the electing distribution company for entering into contracts under such array of interstate capacity assets from time to time to meet such requirements; provided, however, that a capacity supply plan approved or adopted by the commission shall not prescribe the individual contracts to be executed by the electing distribution company in order to implement such plan; and
(D) Specify the portion of the interstate capacity assets which must be retained and utilized by the electing distribution company in order to manage and operate its system.
(7) When interstate capacity assets that are contained in a capacity supply plan approved or adopted by the commission are allocated by the electing distribution company to a marketer pursuant to the provisions of this article, all of the costs of the interstate capacity assets thus allocated shall be borne by such marketer.
(8) The provisions of law relating to parties, intervention, and discovery in proceedings before the commission shall apply with respect to proceedings under this subsection.
(9) All commission orders issued pursuant to this subsection shall contain the commission's findings of fact and conclusions of law upon which the commission's action is based. Any such order shall be deemed a final order subject to judicial review under Chapter 13 of Title 50, the “Georgia Administrative Procedure Act.”
(10) Prior to the approval or adoption of a capacity supply plan pursuant to this subsection, the interstate capacity assets of the electing distribution company in the most current gas supply plan of such company approved or adopted by the commission pursuant to the provisions of Code Section 46-2-26.5 shall be treated as a capacity supply plan that is approved or adopted by the commission for purposes of this subsection.
(11) After a capacity supply plan has become effective pursuant to provisions of this subsection as a result of a proceeding before the commission, the commission shall retain jurisdiction of the proceeding for the purposes set forth in this subsection. Upon application of the affected electing distribution company or upon its own initiative, the commission may, after affording due notice and opportunity for hearing to the affected electing distribution company and the intervenors in the proceeding, amend the capacity supply plan of the affected electing distribution company. Any such amendment shall not adversely affect rights under any contract entered into pursuant to such plan without the consent of the parties to such contracts. If an amendment proceeding is initiated by the affected electing distribution company and the commission fails or refuses to issue an order by the ninetieth day after the electing distribution company's filing, the amended capacity supply plan proposed by the electing distribution company shall thereupon be deemed approved by operation of law.
(12) After an electing distribution company has no obligation to provide commodity sales service to retail customers pursuant to the provisions of Code Section 46-4-156 and upon the petition of any interested person and after notice and opportunity for hearing afforded to the electing distribution company, all parties to the most current proceeding establishing a capacity supply plan for such electing distribution company, all marketers who have been issued a certificate of authority pursuant to Code Section 46-4-153, and all owners or operators of interstate gas pipelines that are a part of said capacity supply plan, the commission may issue an order eliminating the responsibility of the electing distribution company for acquiring and contracting for interstate capacity assets necessary for gas to be made available on its system as well as the obligation of such electing distribution company to file any further capacity supply plans with the commission pursuant to the provisions of this subsection, if the commission determines that:
(A) Marketers can and will secure adequate and reliable interstate capacity assets necessary to make gas available on the system of the electing distribution company for service to firm retail customers;
(B) Adequate, reliable, and economical interstate capacity assets will not be diverted from use for service to retail customers in Georgia;
(C) There is a competitive, highly flexible, and reasonably accessible market for interstate capacity assets for service to retail customers in Georgia;
(D) Elimination of such responsibility on the part of the electing distribution company would not adversely affect competition for natural gas service to retail customers in Georgia; and
(E) Elimination of such responsibility on the part of the electing distribution company is otherwise in the public interest.
If the commission eliminates the responsibility of an electing distribution company for acquiring and contracting for interstate capacity assets and filing further capacity supply plans in accordance with this subsection, the commission shall annually review the assignment of interstate capacity assets.
(13) Notwithstanding any other provisions in this Code section to the contrary, no later than July 1, 2003, the commission shall, after notice afforded to the electing distribution company, all marketers who have been issued a certificate of authority in accordance with Code Section 46-4-153, and all owners or operators of interstate gas pipelines that are a part of said capacity supply plan, hold a hearing regarding a plan for assignment of interstate assets. After such hearing, the commission may adopt a plan for assignment of interstate capacity assets held by the electing distribution company, except for those interstate capacity assets reasonably required for balancing. If adopted, the plan shall provide for interstate capacity assets to be assigned to certificated marketers who desire assignment and who are qualified technically and financially to manage interstate capacity assets. Marketers who accept assignment of interstate capacity assets shall be required by the commission to use such assets primarily to serve retail customers in Georgia and shall be permitted to use such assets outside Georgia so long as the reliability of the system is not compromised. Thereafter, the commission shall annually review the assignment of interstate capacity assets.
(14) Any order eliminating the responsibility of the electing distribution company for acquiring and contracting for interstate capacity assets pursuant to paragraph (12) of this subsection and any plan for assignment of interstate capacity assets pursuant to paragraph (13) of this subsection shall, at a minimum, ensure that:
(A) Shifts in market share are reflected in an orderly reassignment of interstate capacity assets;
(B) Marketers hold sufficient interstate capacity assets to meet the needs of retail customers;
(C) Before any such assignment is authorized, the assignee demonstrates to the commission that such assignment will result in financial benefits to firm retail customers;
(D) Before any marketer discontinues service in the Georgia market, it assigns its contractual rights for interstate capacity assets used to serve Georgia retail customers in a manner designated by the commission;
(E) In the event that the commission imposes temporary directives in accordance with Code Section 46-4-157, interstate capacity assets assigned to marketers are subject to reassignment by the commission to protect the interests of retail customers; and
(F) Any other requirement that the commission finds to be in the public interest is imposed upon assignees as a condition of the assignment of interstate capacity assets.
(15) After notice and an opportunity for hearing, the commission may authorize, subject to reasonable terms and conditions, an electing distribution company or its designee to utilize or monetize excess interstate capacity assets available to the electing distribution company.
(a) No later than December 31, 1997, the commission shall promulgate regulations which prescribe a methodology for the random assignment to each marketer certificated within a delivery group of each firm retail customer who has not contracted for distribution service from a marketer. This methodology shall further provide that the percentage of such firm retail customers assigned to a given marketer shall be based upon the percentage at the time of such assignment of all firm retail customers within the delivery group served by such marketer.
(b) Any person may file a petition requesting that the commission determine, or the commission on its own motion may determine, that adequate market conditions exist for a particular delivery group. If, after a proceeding on such petition or motion, the commission makes such a determination, the procedures that precede customer assignment shall begin. The commission shall enter a decision as to whether adequate market conditions exist within the earlier of 120 days after the close of the record in the proceeding on such petition or motion or 180 days from the filing of such petition or the making of such motion under this subsection. The commission shall determine that adequate market conditions exist within a specific delivery group based upon consideration of the following factors:
(1) The number and size of alternative providers of the distribution service;
(2) The extent to which the distribution service is available from alternative providers in the delivery group;
(3) Subject to subsection (d) of this Code section and provided that all initial assignments of rights to intrastate capacity for firm distribution service, interstate pipeline, and underground storage by an electing distribution company to marketers, as necessary for marketers to initiate service to all firm retail customers with which they have contracted or to which they have been assigned as provided for in this Code section, whether by allocation pursuant to a tariff approved under paragraph (3) or (4) of subsection (c) of Code Section 46-4-154 or by contract, are effective pursuant to the terms of such tariff or contract and, provided, further, that all initial assignments of rights under firm wellhead gas supply contracts by an electing distribution company to marketers, as necessary for marketers to initiate service to all firm retail customers with which they have contracted or to which they have been assigned as provided for in this Code section, by allocation pursuant to a tariff approved under Code Section 46-4-154 are effective pursuant to the terms of such tariff, an electing distribution company has no obligation to provide commodity sales service to retail customers.
(4) Other indicators of market power which may include market share, growth in market share, ease of entry, and the affiliation of providers of a distribution service.
(c) If the commission issues an order pursuant to subsection (b) of this Code section determining that adequate market conditions exist, it shall prescribe in such order the contents of notices to be furnished pursuant to the provisions of subsection (e) of this Code section. Subject to the provisions of subsection (d) of this Code section, on the one hundred twentieth day following the issuance of an order for a particular delivery group:
(1) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (4) of this subsection, the rates and terms of service of an electing distribution company for interruptible distribution service and balancing service shall not be subject to approval by the commission, provided that all firm retail customers have contracted with or have been assigned to marketers as provided for in this Code section;
(2) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (4) of this subsection, rates and terms of service for commodity sales service provided by an electing distribution company to retail purchasers of firm distribution service shall not be subject to approval by the commission, provided that all firm retail customers have contracted with or have been assigned to marketers as provided for in this Code section;
(3) Subject to subsection (d) of this Code section and provided that all initial assignments of rights to intrastate capacity for firm distribution service, interstate pipeline, and underground storage by an electing distribution company to marketers, as necessary for marketers to initiate service to all firm retail customers with which they have contracted or to which they have been assigned as provided for in this Code section, whether by allocation pursuant to a tariff approved under paragraph (3) or (4) of subsection (d) of Code Section 46-4-154 or by contract, are effective pursuant to the terms of such tariff or contract and, provided, further, that all initial assignments of rights under firm wellhead gas supply contracts by an electing distribution company to marketers, as necessary for marketers to initiate service to all firm retail customers with which they have contracted or to which they have been assigned as provided for in this Code section, by allocation pursuant to a tariff approved under Code Section 46-4-154 are effective pursuant to the terms of such tariff, an electing distribution company has no obligation to provide commodity sales service to retail customers; and
(4) The commission is authorized to provide by order, after notice and hearing, for the allocation of the cost of lost and unaccounted for gas among interruptible and firm retail customers.
(d) If the one hundred twentieth day following the issuance of such order falls during a winter heating season, the provisions of subsection (c) of this Code section and customer assignment shall become effective on the day following the end of the winter heating season.
(e) Within 45 days following the issuance of an order pursuant to subsection (b) of this Code section, and again within 80 days following such an order, an electing distribution company shall send a notice regarding the commission's order to each of its retail customers receiving firm distribution service or commodity sales service within such delivery group. Such notices shall inform the retail customer in plain language that:
(1) The electing distribution company will not provide firm distribution service or commodity sales service to such customer, as of the date determined under subsection (c) or (d) of this Code section;
(2) Such customer may contract with a marketer certificated under Code Section 46-4-153 to furnish such services; and
(3) If the customer does not contract with a marketer within 100 days from the date of such order, the commission will assign, on a random basis, a marketer to furnish such services to said customer.
(f)(1) At any time that the electing distribution company determines that any deadline or the expiration of any time period prescribed by this article may result in an adverse impact upon the overall effective implementation of this article, upon the emergence of effective competition, or upon the public interest, it may petition the commission to extend such deadline or period for a time certain.
(2) If, in response to such a petition or on its own motion, the commission finds that strict enforcement of any deadline or time period prescribed by this article may result in an adverse impact upon the overall effective implementation of this article, upon the emergence of effective competition, or upon the public interest, it may extend such deadline or period for any period of time up to or equal to the time extension requested in the petition or proposed in the motion.
(g) Notwithstanding any other provision of this article, a consumer shall be authorized to change marketers at least once a year without incurring any service charge relating to such change to an alternative marketer. No marketer shall charge any consumer a service charge relating to a change to an alternative marketer if such consumer has not changed marketers within the previous 12 months. Except as otherwise provided in a legally binding contract between the marketer and the consumer, no marketer shall require a notice period from a consumer if a consumer elects to change service to an alternative marketer. The commission shall investigate methods to expedite the electing distribution company's processes for switching consumers to the consumers' preferred marketer and may enter appropriate orders to expedite switching consumers.
(h) A marketer may require a deposit, not to exceed $ 150.00, from a consumer prior to providing gas distribution service to such consumer. A marketer is not authorized to require an increase in the deposit of a consumer if such consumer has paid all bills from the marketer in a timely manner for a period of three months. A marketer shall refund to any consumer who is not currently delinquent on payments to the marketer any deposit amount exceeding $ 150.00 within 30 days following April 25, 2002. In any case where a marketer has required a deposit from a consumer and such consumer has paid all bills from the marketer in a timely manner for a period of six months, the marketer shall be required to refund the deposit to the consumer within 60 days. In any event, a deposit shall be refunded to a consumer within 60 days of the date that such consumer changes marketers or discontinues service, provided that such consumer has satisfied all of his or her outstanding financial obligations to the marketer.
(a) If, in an expedited hearing pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 13 of Title 50, the “Georgia Administrative Procedure Act”:
(1) The commission determines for a specific delivery group, as to which the commission has issued an order pursuant to subsection (b) of Code Section 46-4-156, that the prices for natural gas paid by firm retail customers in such delivery group are not constrained by market forces and are significantly higher than such prices would be if they were constrained by market forces; or
(2) The commission determines for a specific delivery group, as to which the commission has not issued an order pursuant to subsection (b) of Code Section 46-4-156, that the prices charged by an electing distribution company to consumers for commodity sales services, which prices have not been approved by the commission pursuant to Code Section 46-2-26.5, are generally not constrained by market forces and are significantly higher than such prices would be if they were constrained by market forces,
then the commission, on an emergency basis, may by order temporarily impose such directives on gas companies subject to its jurisdiction as are required to protect the interests of firm retail customers in such delivery group including but not limited to price regulations and the imposition upon the electing distribution company of the obligation to serve retail customers in such delivery group under the same or similar conditions to those under which such customers were served prior to customer assignment in such delivery group. In no event shall such emergency directives extend beyond the first day of July immediately following the next full annual session of the General Assembly after the imposition of such directives. In its order the commission shall provide for recovery of all costs reasonably incurred by the electing distribution company in complying with the directives. Any such directives shall be drawn as narrowly as possible to accomplish the purpose of protecting the public on an interim basis. No such directive shall impose any condition upon the electing distribution company which unreasonably burdens the company. Such directives shall be immediately reviewable in the Superior Court of Fulton County in the same manner and subject to the same procedures as the review of any other contested case under the provisions of Code Section 50-13-19.
(b) If, in an expedited hearing pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 13 of Title 50, the “Georgia Administrative Procedure Act,” the commission makes any of the determinations described in subsection (c) or (d) of this Code section, the commission may, on a temporary basis, by order impose on marketers such directives as are required to protect the interest of firm retail customers in a specific delivery group, including but not limited to price regulations. In no event shall such emergency directives extend beyond the first day of July in the year immediately following imposition of such directives. Any such directives shall be drawn as narrowly as possible to accomplish the purpose of protecting the public on an interim basis. Such directives shall be immediately reviewable in the Superior Court of Fulton County in the same manner and subject to the same procedures as the review of any other contested case under the provisions of Code Section 50-13-19.
(c) Upon determination by the commission that market conditions are no longer competitive, the commission may impose directives as described in subsection (b) of this Code section. For purposes of this subsection, there shall be a rebuttable presumption that market conditions are not competitive if more than 90 percent of firm retail customers in a specific delivery group are served by three or fewer marketers; provided, however, that marketers who are affiliates shall be deemed to be one marketer for purposes of this subsection.
(d) Upon determination by the commission, based upon a standard previously adopted by rule of the commission, that prices paid by firm retail customers for natural gas in a specific delivery group are not constrained by market forces and are significantly higher than such prices would be if they were constrained by market forces, the commission may impose directives as described in subsection (b) of this Code section.
(a) An electing distribution company which provides firm distribution service under this article must:
(1) Offer an allocation of such distribution service to marketers separately from any commodity sales service or other service;
(2) Provide such allocation of such distribution service to marketers without undue discrimination or preference, including undue discrimination or preference in the quality of service provided, the duration of service, the categories, prices, or volumes of natural gas to be distributed, customer classification, or other undue discrimination or preference of any kind;
(3) Provide all marketers with equal and timely access to information relevant to the availability of such service, including without limitation the availability of capacity at delivery points, through the use of an electronic bulletin board; and
(4) Cooperate with each certificated marketer and each regulated provider of natural gas to achieve the intentions of this article set out in subsection (b) of Code Section 46-4-151.
(b) An electing distribution company may impose reasonable operational conditions on any firm distribution service provided to marketers under this article. Such conditions must be filed by the electing firm distribution company as part of its firm distribution tariff.
(c) An electing distribution company which allocates firm distribution service to marketers under this article is not required to provide any requested firm distribution service for which capacity is not available or that would require the construction or acquisition of any new facilities.
(a)(1) Not later than September 1, 2002, the commission shall promulgate rules and regulations to establish service quality standards for each electing distribution company, including, but not limited to, minimum performance standards for posting data on the electronic bulletin board; meter reading; meter turn-ons and turn-offs; forecasting; call center response times; lost and unaccounted for natural gas; acquiring and managing interstate capacity assets, including retained storage; and any other service quality standards deemed necessary by the commission.
(2) Not later than September 1, 2002, the commission shall promulgate rules and regulations to establish service quality standards for each certificated marketer and regulated provider, which may include minimum performance standards for call center response times, billing, meter reading, and any other service quality standards deemed necessary by the commission. Each service quality standard adopted by the commission applicable to an electing distribution company shall also apply to each certificated marketer and each regulated provider to the extent that a certificated marketer or a regulated provider provides the same customer services.
(b) Each electing distribution company, certificated marketer, and regulated provider shall file reports with the commission showing its performance with regard to service quality standards established in accordance with this Code section. Such reports shall be filed at least quarterly, or on a more frequent basis if ordered by the commission.
(c) Failure to comply with service quality standards established in accordance with this Code section shall subject an electing distribution company, certificated marketer, or regulated provider to fines as determined by the commission.
(d) At least annually the commission shall conduct a proceeding to review compliance with the service quality standards by the electing distribution company, certificated marketer, and regulated provider.
(e) If the commission determines that an electing distribution company has failed to satisfactorily meet the performance standards for system forecasting, including setting the daily supply requirement and the marketer firm obligation, or has otherwise demonstrated an inability to perform such function properly, then the commission may enter an order relieving the electing distribution company of its system forecasting responsibilities and may establish a competitive request for proposal process to select an independent entity with the technical and financial ability to perform the role of system forecasting, including setting the daily supply requirement and the marketer firm obligation. The agreement for system forecasting shall include standards for evaluating the performance of the forecaster and for awarding incentives for superior performance and imposing disincentives for unsatisfactory performance. The commission shall establish an appropriate mechanism to recover the cost of performing such functions.
(f) If the commission determines that the public interest would be served thereby, the commission may enter an order establishing a competitive request for proposal process to select an independent auditor or auditors for the purpose of examining:
(1) The daily, monthly, and annual accounting of transactions among each electing distribution company, its affiliated companies, and certificated marketers; and
(2) Compliance with the provisions of subsections (b) and (c) of Code Section 46-4-159.
(g) Any independent auditor selected in accordance with subsection (f) of this Code section shall prepare a semiannual audit report to the commission. Unless a written objection clearly specifying one or more errors or inaccuracies in the audit report is filed within ten days after the audit report is filed with the commission, the audit report shall be accepted by the commission. If an objection is filed, the commission shall conduct an expedited hearing within ten days after the objection is filed to determine whether to accept the audit report. A final decision shall be issued five days after such a hearing. An audit report, along with its status as accepted or not accepted by the commission, shall be admissible in any litigation relating to transactions described or evaluated in the audit report.
(h) Sale of gas held in storage for a certificated marketer to third parties by an electing distribution company shall be prohibited; provided, however, that use of gas held in storage for a certificated marketer by the electing distribution company to ensure system balancing and reliability shall not be prohibited.
The commission shall by September 1, 2002, adopt rules governing a marketer's terms of service for natural gas consumers. Such rules shall provide, without limitation, that:
(1) Each retail natural gas marketer shall establish policies and procedures for handling billing disputes and requests for payment arrangements, which must be approved by the commission;
(2) A marketer's advertised prices shall reflect the prices or the pricing methodology in disclosure statements and billed prices and shall be presented in the standard pricing unit of the electing distribution company;
(3) The consumer shall have a right to contact the commission if he or she is not satisfied with the response of the marketer;
(4) Marketers shall provide all consumers with a three-day right of rescission following the receipt of the disclosure statement, which shall be provided to consumers at times specified in rules and regulations of the commission. Consumers may cancel an agreement in writing or electronically by contacting the marketer;
(5) Whenever a marketer offers a fixed term agreement and the expiration date of such agreement is approaching, or whenever a marketer proposes to change its terms of service under any type of agreement, the marketer shall provide written notification to the natural gas consumer, clearly explaining the consumer's options at that point, including, but not limited to, the option to seek another marketer;
(6) A marketer shall not charge cancellation fees to a low-income residential consumer seeking service for the first time from the regulated provider;
(7) Gas service to a consumer shall be disconnected only for failure to pay for service from the consumer's current marketer. A marketer may not request disconnection of service for nonpayment of a bill which was not sent to the consumer in a timely manner. Every marketer shall be required to offer at least one reasonable payment arrangement in writing to a consumer prior to requesting that such consumer be disconnected for failure to pay. Disconnection of service to a consumer is authorized no earlier than 15 days after a notice that service will be disconnected;
(8) Marketers shall be prohibited from sending estimated bills to natural gas consumers; provided, however, that when information from actual meter readings is not made available by the electing distribution company or any other party authorized to perform meter reading, marketers may send an estimated bill for not more than two consecutive months; and
(9) No marketer shall be authorized to prevent a consumer from obtaining distribution and commodity sales service from another marketer or provider.
The commission shall, by September 1, 2002, adopt rules and regulations requiring marketers which provide firm distribution service under this article to provide adequate and accurate consumer information to enable consumers to make informed choices regarding the purchase of natural gas services. Such rules shall provide, without limitation, that:
(1) A disclosure statement shall be provided to consumers in an understandable format that enables such consumers to compare prices and services on a uniform basis. Rules adopted by the commission shall provide when disclosure statements shall be provided to consumers. Such disclosure statements shall include, but shall not be limited to, the following:
(A) For fixed rate charges for natural gas service, a clear disclosure of the components of the fixed rate, the actual prices charged by the marketer, presented in a single standard pricing unit which includes any charges imposed by the marketer or its agent, so that the consumer can compare rates among marketers. This disclosure shall not include state and local sales taxes. The standard pricing disclosure unit must include all recurring monthly charges;
(B) For variable rate charges for natural gas service, a clear and understandable explanation of the factors that will cause the price to vary and how often the price can change, the current price, and the ceiling price, if any, so that the consumer can compare rates among marketers. The current price and ceiling price, if applicable, shall be presented in a single standard pricing unit which includes any charges imposed by the marketer or its agent. This disclosure shall not include state and local sales taxes. The standard pricing disclosure unit must include all recurring monthly charges;
(C) A statement that the standard unit price does not include state and local taxes or charges imposed by the electing distribution company;
(D) The length of the agreement, including the starting date and expiration date, if applicable;
(E) The billing interval, the method by which monthly charges imposed by the electing distribution company will be billed to the consumer in the event the consumer commences or terminates service with the marketer during the billing interval, and any late payment, cancellation, or reconnection fees;
(F) The marketer's budget billing, payment, credit, deposit, cancellation, collection, and reconnection policies and procedures;
(G) How to contact the marketer for information or complaints;
(H) A statement of the natural gas consumer's right to contact the commission if he or she is not satisfied with the response of the marketer, including the local and toll-free telephone numbers of these agencies;
(I) The division name and telephone number for information regarding heating assistance administered by the Department of Human Services;
(J) The following statement:
“A consumer shall have a three-day right of rescission following the receipt of this disclosure at the time of initiating service or when informed of a change in terms or conditions. You, the consumer, may cancel in writing or electronically by contacting the marketer.”;
(K) The following statement:
“If you have a fixed term agreement with us and it is approaching the expiration date, or whenever we propose to change our terms of service in any type of agreement, you will receive written notification from us prior to the date of expiration of or change to the agreement. We will explain your options to you in this advance notification.”;
(L) A statement setting forth the requirements of paragraphs (6) through (9) of Code Section 46-4-158.2; and
(M) A statement that deposits shall not exceed $150.00; and
(2) Natural gas consumers' bills shall be accurate and understandable and shall contain sufficient information for a consumer to compute and compare the total cost of competitive retail natural gas services. Such bills shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
(A) The consumer's name, billing address, service address, and natural gas company account number;
(B) The dates of service covered by the bill, an itemization of each type of competitive natural gas service covered by the bill, any related billing components, the charge for each type of natural gas service, and any other information the consumer would need to recalculate the bill for accuracy;
(C) The applicable billing determinants, including beginning meter reading, ending meter reading, multipliers, and any other consumption adjustments;
(D) The amount billed for the current period, any unpaid amounts due from previous periods, any payments or credits applied to the consumer's account during the current period, any late payment charges or gross and net charges, if applicable, and the total amount due and payable;
(E) The due date for payment to keep the account current;
(F) The current balance of the account, if the natural gas consumer is billed according to a budget plan;
(G) Options and instructions on how the natural gas consumer can make a payment;
(H) A toll-free or local telephone number and address for consumer billing questions or complaints for any retail natural gas company whose charges appear on the bill;
(I) The applicable electing distribution company's 24 hour local or toll-free telephone number for reporting service emergencies; and
(J) An explanation of any codes and abbreviations used.
The commission shall by September 1, 2002, adopt rules establishing minimum standards for a marketer's terms and conditions of service for various classes of firm retail customers that are nonresidential and small businesses. In defining such classes, the commission may consider relevant factors, including but not limited to consumption history, estimated usage, and the size of the customer.
The commission shall continually review marketers' compliance with rules promulgated in accordance with Code Sections 46-4-158.2, 46-4-158.3, and 46-4-158.4.
(a) As used in this Code section and notwithstanding any other provision of this article, the term:
(1) “Control” includes without limitation the possession, directly or indirectly and whether acting alone or in conjunction with others, of the authority to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a person. A voting interest of 10 percent or more creates a rebuttable presumption of control. The term control includes the terms controlling, controlled by, and under control with.
(2) “Electing distribution company” includes any agent of or consultant to the electing distribution company.
(3) “Marketer” means any person who engages in selling gas:
(A) To retail customers connected to the facilities of an electing distribution company; or
(B) To other marketers for resale to such customers; provided, however, that the term marketer shall not mean a person who only makes sales beyond the electing distribution company's system to other marketers for resale when the transportation capacity for the distribution of the gas to the electing distribution company's system is obtained from a person or entity which is not an affiliate of the electing distribution company.
(b) An electing distribution company must conduct its business to conform to the following standards, which are intended to prevent any advantage or disadvantage accruing to a marketer, including a marketer which is an affiliate of the electing distribution company, in relation to other marketers and their customers and which standards shall be applied to accomplish this intent:
(1) An electing distribution company must apply the terms and conditions of its tariff and other tariff provisions related to the distribution of gas in the same manner to all marketers and to all customers without respect to their supplier;
(2) An electing distribution company must process all similar requests for service in the same manner to all marketers in a reasonably similar time period;
(3) An electing distribution company may not, through tariff or otherwise, give any marketer or its customers preference over any other marketer or similarly situated customers in matters relating to the movement or delivery of gas on its distribution facilities or the administration of contracts, including scheduling, nomination, balancing, metering, storage, standby service, curtailment policy, and billing and invoice questions and disputes;
(4) An electing distribution company shall apply the same tariff provisions relating to discounts, rebates, fee waivers, or penalty waivers to all similarly situated customers without respect to their marketer. Any discretionary right under a tariff provision shall be applied by the electing distribution company impartially to all similarly situated customers without respect to their marketer. Where not subject to tariff provisions, an electing distribution company must contemporaneously offer the same discounts, rebates, fee waivers, or penalty waivers to all similarly situated customers without respect to their marketer and effectuate such contemporaneous offers by making an appropriate posting on the general alert screen of its electronic bulletin board;
(5) An electing distribution company must not give preference to any marketer in the scheduling or allocation of capacity at a city gate station;
(6) An electing distribution company must not directly or indirectly give any marketer any form of preference over any other marketer in matters relating to allocation, assignment, release, or other transfer of the electing distribution company's capacity rights on interstate pipeline systems or in the sale of gas;
(7) Neither the electing distribution company nor any marketer which is an affiliate of the company nor any other marketer may represent that any advantage accrues to customers or others in the use of electing distribution company services as a result of that customer or others dealing with the marketer. Also, joint promotions between the electing distribution company and any marketer, such as inclusion of fliers for the marketer in utility bills, are prohibited unless such promotions are offered to all other marketers under the same terms and conditions;
(8) The electing distribution company must not preferentially provide sales leads to any marketer and must refrain from giving any appearance that the electing distribution company speaks on behalf of a marketer that is an affiliate of the company. If a customer requests information about marketers, to the extent the electing distribution company responds to the request, the electing distribution company should provide a list of all marketers on its system but shall not express any preferential recommendation for a marketer that is an affiliate of the company or for any other marketer;
(9) Joint solicitation calls on end users by personnel of the electing distribution company and any marketer are forbidden; however, joint meetings will be scheduled at a mutually agreeable time and location if specifically requested in writing by the customer;
(10) An electing distribution company must contemporaneously disclose information provided to any marketer related to the marketing or sale of natural gas to customers or identified potential customers or related to the delivery of natural gas to or on its system to all marketers on the system. The electing distribution company's disclosure of such information must be effectuated by posting the information on the general alert screen of its electronic bulletin board. However, an electing distribution company may, when requested in writing to do so by a customer of a marketer, disclose confidential information relating to the customer only to said marketer. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this paragraph, an electing distribution company may respond to general inquiries from marketers, customers, identified potential customers, or other third parties regarding general information including the company's terms and conditions, tariff provisions, location and description of facilities, or other similar information as required in the normal course of business by responding only to the requesting party;
(11) An electing distribution company may not knowingly disclose to any marketer any confidential information obtained in connection with providing distribution or related services to any other marketer or customer, a potential marketer or customer, any agent of such customer or potential marketer, or a marketer;
(12) Employees of the electing distribution company having direct responsibility for the day-to-day operations of the electing distribution company's operations, including without limitation employees involved in:
(A) Receiving distribution service requests or sales requests from retail customers;
(B) Scheduling gas deliveries on the electing distribution company's system;
(C) Making gas scheduling or allocation decisions;
(D) Purchasing gas or capacity; or
(E) Selling gas to retail customers
shall not be shared with, shall be physically separated from, and must function independently of a marketer which is an affiliate of the company;
(13) An electing distribution company must file with the commission procedures that will enable marketers and the commission to determine how the electing distribution company is complying with the standards set forth in this Code section; and
(14) An electing distribution company must maintain its books of account and records separately from those of a marketer which is an affiliate of the company.
(c) An electing distribution company must respond in writing within ten days to any informal complaint which is submitted in writing to the company and which relates to compliance with the standards set forth in this Code section.
(a) With respect to a marketer certificated pursuant to Code Section 46-4-153, the commission shall have authority to:
(1) Adopt reasonable rules and regulations governing the certification of a marketer;
(2) Grant, modify, impose conditions upon, or revoke a certificate;
(3) Adopt reasonable rules governing service quality. In promulgating consumer protection rules under this article, the commission shall, to the extent practicable, provide for rules with a self-executing mechanism to resolve such complaints in a timely manner. Such consumer protection rules shall encourage marketers to resolve complaints without recourse to the commission and shall expedite the handling of those complaints that do require action by the commission by providing for a minimum payment of $100.00 to the consumer, plus penalties and fines as determined by the commission, for violations of such rules;
(4) Resolve complaints against a marketer regarding that marketer's service;
(5) Adopt reasonable rules and regulations relating to billing practices of marketers and information required on customers' bills. The commission shall require at a minimum that bills specify the gas consumption amount, price per therm, distribution charges, and any service charges. The commission shall prescribe performance standards for marketer billing relating to accuracy and timeliness of customer bills;
(6) Adopt reasonable rules and regulations relating to minimum resources which marketers are required to have in this state for customer service purposes. The rules and regulations shall require a marketer to have and maintain the ability to process cash payments from customers in this state. The rules and regulations shall provide procedures relating to the handling and disposition of customer complaints; and
(7) Adopt reasonable rules and regulations requiring marketers to provide notification to retail customers of or include with customer bills information relating to where customers may obtain pricing information relative to gas marketers.
(b) Prior to the determination by the commission pursuant to Code Section 46-4-156 that adequate market conditions exist within a delivery group, each marketer must separately state on its bills to retail customers within the delivery group the charges for firm distribution service and for commodity sales.
(c) Except as otherwise provided by this article, the price at which a marketer sells gas shall not be regulated by the commission.
(d) The commission shall have access to the books and records of marketers as may be necessary to ensure compliance with the provisions of this article and with the commission's rules and regulations promulgated under this article.
(e) Except as otherwise provided in this article, certification of a person as a marketer by the commission pursuant to Code Section 46-4-153 does not subject the person to the jurisdiction of the commission under this title, including without limitation the provisions of Article 2 of Chapter 2 of this title.
(f) The provisions of Article 3 of Chapter 2 of this title shall apply to an investigation or hearing regarding a marketer. The provisions of Articles 4 and 5 of Chapter 2 of this title shall apply to a marketer.
(g) The commission, subject to receiving state funds for such purpose, is required to have published at least quarterly in newspapers throughout the state a summary of the price per therm and any other amounts charged to retail customers by each marketer operating in this state and any additional information which the commission deems appropriate to assist customers in making decisions regarding choice of a marketer. In addition, the commission shall make such information available to Georgia Public Telecommunications (GPTV) under the jurisdiction of the Georgia Public Telecommunications Commission which will provide such information to the general public at a designated time at least once a month.
(h) A marketer shall render a bill to retail customers for services within 30 days of the date following the monthly meter reading. A marketer's bill shall utilize the results of the actual meter reading subject to paragraph (8) of Code Section 46-4-158.2. The price for natural gas billed to a natural gas consumer shall not exceed the marketer's published price effective at the beginning of the consumer's billing cycle. A marketer shall allow the natural gas consumer a reasonable period of time to pay the bill from the date the consumer receives the bill, prior to the application of any late fees or penalties. Marketers shall not impose unreasonable late fees or penalties and in no event shall any such fees or penalties exceed $10.00 or 1.5 percent of the past due balance, whichever is greater.
(i) Any marketer which willfully violates any provision of this Code section or any duly promulgated rules or regulations issued under this Code section, including but not limited to rules relating to false billing, or which fails, neglects, or refuses to comply with any order of the commission after notice thereof shall be liable for any penalties authorized under Code Section 46-2-91.
(j) As used in this subsection, the phrase “terms and conditions” does not include price. At least 30 days prior to the effective date of any changes in the terms and conditions for service authorized by the marketer's certificate of authority, a marketer shall file such changes with the commission. Such changes to the terms and conditions of service shall go into effect on the effective date proposed by the marketer; provided, however, that the commission shall be authorized to suspend the effective date of the proposed changes for up to 90 days if it appears to the commission that the proposed terms and conditions are unconscionable or are unfair, deceptive, misleading, or confusing to consumers. If the commission does not issue a final decision on the proposed terms and conditions of service within the 90 day suspension period, the proposed changes shall be deemed approved.
(k) Any consumer determined by the commission to be the victim of slamming shall be able to switch back to his or her desired marketer without any charge. No marketer responsible for slamming a consumer shall be entitled to any remuneration for services provided to that customer, and any refund owed to such a consumer by the marketer who switched the consumer without his or her consent shall be paid within 30 days of the date the commission determined the consumer was a victim of slamming. No marketer responsible for slamming a consumer who is determined to be a victim of slamming shall report to a credit reporting agency any moneys owed by such a consumer to such marketer; any marketer who violates the prohibition set out in this sentence shall be required by the commission to pay such a consumer $1,000.00 for each such prohibited report.
In any case where there is a dispute between a marketer and a retail customer concerning the amount of a gas bill, the marketer shall be required to confer by telephone or some other verifiable means with the retail customer in an attempt to resolve such dispute. In case of any such dispute the marketer shall be prohibited from reporting the name of a retail customer to any consumer reporting agency as defined in Section 603(f) of the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act 1 until the marketer has conferred with the retail customer and has complied in all respects with all applicable provisions of this article and the rules and regulations of the commission or has obtained a judgment against the retail customer.
1 15 U.S.C.A. § 1681a(f).
(a) Whenever a marketer discovers or has called to its attention a billing error or other mistake reported to or acknowledged by the marketer, the marketer shall have 30 days to correct the billing error from the date said error is reported to or acknowledged by the marketer. If the marketer does not correct the billing error, the burden of proof shall be on the marketer to show why the bill is correct. During the period the billing error is being disputed, the marketer shall neither impose a late fee or penalty on the disputed amount nor initiate an action to disconnect the customer's service or collect on the past due balance, if the disputed amount constitutes the total amount of the past due balance. In the event the billing error results in an overpayment by a retail customer of said marketer, such marketer shall be required automatically and immediately to provide:
(1) A credit of the amount of the overpayment to the account of the customer; or
(2) A refund of the amount of the overpayment to the customer.
(b) A marketer shall be prohibited from requiring a retail customer to whom it owes a credit or refund to submit in writing a request for such credit or refund before the marketer complies with the provisions of subsection (a) of this Code section. All credits to the account of the customer or refunds to the customer shall be made within 60 days after the overpayment has been acknowledged or admitted to by the marketer.
In order to assist low-income residential consumers, the commission may establish a system by which each marketer's customers may make voluntary contributions to assist low-income residential consumers. Contributions received by a marketer shall be deposited in the universal service fund to be used to assist low-income residential consumers.
(a) Any retail customer who is damaged by a marketer's violation of any provision of Code Section 46-4-160, any duly promulgated rules or regulations issued under such Code section, or any commission order shall be entitled to maintain a civil action and shall be entitled to recover actual damages sustained by the retail customer, as well as incidental damages, consequential damages, reasonable attorney's fees, and court costs.
(b) Any violation of Code Section 46-4-160 or any duly promulgated rules or regulations issued under such Code section is declared to be a violation of Part 2 of Article 15 of Chapter 1 of Title 10, the “Fair Business Practices Act of 1975.” Any remedy available under such part shall be available to any retail customer and any action by the Attorney General that such part authorizes for a violation of such part shall be authorized for violation of Code Section 46-4-160 or any duly promulgated rules or regulations issued under such Code section. This subsection shall not be construed to provide that other violations of this article or rules promulgated under this article are not violations of such part.
(c) The provisions of this Code section shall apply to violations of subsections (g) and (h) of Code Section 46-4-156, Code Sections 46-4-158.2, 46-4-160.1, and 46-4-160.2, and substantial violations of Code Section 46-4-158.3.
(a) The commission shall create for each electing distribution company a universal service fund for the purpose of:
(1) Assuring that gas is available for sale by marketers to firm retail customers within the territory certificated to each such marketer;
(2) Enabling the electing distribution company to expand its facilities and service in the public interest. Such expansion of facilities may include a natural gas fueling infrastructure for motor vehicles at the discretion of the commission; and
(3) Assisting low-income residential consumers in times of emergency as determined by the commission, and consumers of the regulated provider of natural gas in accordance with Code Section 46-4-166.
(b) The fund shall be administered by the commission under rules to be promulgated by the commission in accordance with the provisions of this Code section. Prior to the beginning of each fiscal year of the electing distribution company, the commission shall determine the amount of the fund appropriate for such fiscal year, which amount shall not exceed $25 million for that fiscal year. In making such determination, the commission shall consider the following:
(1) The amount required to provide sufficient contributions in aid of construction to permit the electing distribution company to extend and expand its facilities from time to time as the commission deems to be in the public interest; and
(2) The amount required to assist low-income residential consumers in times of emergency as determined by the commission and consumers of the regulated provider of natural gas in accordance with Code Section 46-4-166.
(c) The fund shall be created and maintained from time to time from the following sources:
(1) Rate refunds to the electing distribution company from its interstate pipeline suppliers;
(2) Any earnings allocable to ratepayers under performance based rates of the electing distribution company authorized by this article;
(3) A surcharge to the rates for firm distribution service of the electing distribution company authorized for such purpose by the commission from time to time;
(4) Surcharges on customers receiving interruptible service over the electing distribution company's distribution system imposed by the commission in accordance with Code Section 46-4-154;
(5) Refunds of deposits required by marketers as a condition for service, if such refunds have not been delivered to or claimed by the consumer within two years;
(6) Funds deposited by marketers in accordance with Code Section 46-4-160.3;
(7) The proceeds from the sale or lease of facilities financed from the universal service fund; and
(8) Any other payments to the fund as provided by law or by order of the commission.
(d) Any amounts remaining in such fund at the end of a fiscal year in excess of $3 million shall be available for refund to retail customers in such manner as the commission shall deem equitable. The balance at fiscal year end, whether positive or negative, after such refund, if any, shall become the initial balance of the fund for the ensuing fiscal year.
(e) Moneys in the fund shall be deposited in a separate, interest-bearing escrow account maintained by the electing distribution company at any state or federally chartered bank, trust company, or savings and loan association located in this state. Upon application to the commission, the commission shall order the distribution of an appropriate portion of such moneys on a quarterly basis and in accordance with the provisions of this Code section. Interest earned on moneys in the fund shall accrue to the benefit of the fund.
(f) Distributions to the regulated provider shall be made in accordance with Code Section 46-4-166.
(g)(1) In determining whether to grant the application of an electing distribution company for a distribution from the fund in whole or in part, the commission shall consider:
(A) The capital budget of the electing distribution company for the relevant fiscal year;
(B) The estimated total overall applicable cost of the proposed extension, including construction costs, financing costs, working capital requirements, and engineering and contracting fees, as well as all other costs that are necessary and reasonable;
(C) The projected initial service date of the new facilities, the estimated revenues to the electing distribution company during the first five fiscal years following the initial service date, and the estimated rate of return to the electing distribution company produced by such revenues during each such fiscal year;
(D) The amount of the contribution in aid of construction required for the revenues from the proposed new facility to produce a just and reasonable return to the electing distribution company; and
(E) Whether the proposed new facility is in the public interest.
(2) In no event shall the distribution to an electing distribution company from the fund for facilities and service expansion during any fiscal year exceed 5 percent of the capital budget of such company for such fiscal year.
(3) Any investment in new facilities financed from the universal service fund shall be accounted for as a contribution in aid of construction.
(h) In no event shall an electing distribution company, who receives a distribution from the fund, sell or lease any facilities financed by the fund to an affiliate for less than the higher of the net book value or fair market value of such facility without approval by the commission.
Nothing in this article shall be construed to prohibit the commission from approving, upon application by a gas company, pilot programs which allow increased customer choice on such gas company's distribution system but which are not otherwise subject to the provisions of this article.
Any special or negotiated contract between a gas company and a retail customer approved by the commission shall not be invalidated or modified by the provisions of this article.
(a) Nothing in this article shall be deemed to apply or impose requirements not otherwise existing on gas distribution companies owned by any county, municipality, other political subdivision, or governmental authority of this state; nor are the provisions of this article intended to increase or decrease the authority and jurisdiction of the commission with respect to the distribution, sale, or transportation of gas by any county, municipality, other political subdivision, or governmental authority of this state. Nothing in this article shall be construed to limit or otherwise affect the existing powers of municipal corporations or other political subdivisions of this state relating to the granting of franchises or the levying or imposition of taxes, fees, or charges.
(b) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, including, without limitation, Article 4 of Chapter 3 of this title, an electric membership corporation may make and maintain investments in, lend funds to, and guarantee the debts and obligations of an EMC gas affiliate in total not to exceed 15 percent of such electric membership corporation's net utility plant, excluding electric generation and transmission assets as defined by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Uniform System of Accounts in effect at the time of such investment, loan, or guarantee, provided that any such investments or loans shall not reflect rates which are generally available through the use of any tax exempt financing and may not be tied to any loans from or guaranteed by the federal or state government; and an EMC gas affiliate of an electric membership corporation organized and operating pursuant to Article 4 of Chapter 3 of this title may apply for and be granted a certificate of authority to provide any service as authorized under this article. The creation, capitalization, or provision of management for:
(1) An EMC gas affiliate engaged in activities subject to the provisions of this article and the rules and regulations established by the commission; or
(2) Other persons providing customer services
shall be deemed to be among the purposes of an electric membership corporation as specified in paragraphs (2) and (3) of Code Section 46-3-200. Nothing in this article shall be deemed to increase or decrease the authority and jurisdiction of the commission with respect to such electric membership corporation except as to gas activities undertaken by the electric membership corporation or its EMC gas affiliate as authorized under this chapter.
(c) Nothing in this article shall be construed to allow or authorize an electing distribution company, a certificated marketer, or a regulated provider of natural gas to engage in the production, transportation, marketing, or distribution of liquefied petroleum gas; provided, however, that nothing in this article shall be construed to prohibit an electing distribution company from using liquefied petroleum gas to provide for system balancing and peaking services for its distribution system.
The commission shall report to the General Assembly annually through the year 2002 on the status of the transition to competitive markets for natural gas services in Georgia.
(a) By July 1, 2002, the commission shall select a regulated provider of natural gas to serve:
(1) Group 1, low-income residential consumers; and
(2) Group 2, firm natural gas consumers:
(A) Who have been unable to obtain or maintain natural gas commodity service; or
(B) Whose utility payment history was cited by the regulated provider as reason for transfer from Group 1 to Group 2.
(b) The selection shall be made through a competitive request for proposal process. Certificated marketers shall be eligible to submit proposals. Selection criteria for the regulated provider shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
(1) Financial viability, as defined in Code Section 46-4-153;
(2) Technical expertise, as defined in Code Section 46-4-153;
(3) The amount of the proposed deposit requirements, proposed price structure, proposed customer charge, and cost recovery;
(4) The terms and conditions proposed for transfers of consumers from Group 1 to Group 2 and from Group 2 to Group 1; and
(5) The terms and conditions proposed for termination of service for Group 1 consumers and Group 2 consumers.
(c) If no acceptable proposals are filed with the commission to become the regulated provider of natural gas, the commission shall designate the electing distribution company or any other gas or electric utility holding a certificate of public convenience and necessity from the commission if it consents to serve as the regulated provider of natural gas. A regulated provider who is not a certificated marketer shall not be authorized to provide natural gas commodity service to any consumer not included in subsection (a) of this Code section.
(d) The regulated provider selected by the commission shall establish two rates for consumers served by the regulated provider of natural gas, which rates shall be approved by the commission as a part of the selection process for the regulated provider:
(1) The rate for a low-income residential consumer shall be based upon actual commodity cost, a reasonable rate of return, and an equitable share of the cost of the transportation and distribution system over which such consumer receives distribution. Any low-income residential consumer may transfer to the regulated provider without being required to pay in full any debt to a marketer for previous service and without termination in service due to failure to pay such a debt. The regulated provider shall have access to the universal service fund to recover bad debt arising from service to low-income residential consumers in accordance with rules and regulations promulgated by the commission and designed to encourage efficient debt collection practices by the regulated provider. The electing distribution company shall waive any customer charge for each low-income residential consumer whose age exceeds 65 years. A low-income residential consumer served by the regulated provider at this rate shall be subject to transfer to Group 2 for failure to pay distribution or commodity charges under the terms and conditions specified in the proposal and accepted by the commission; and
(2) The rate for Group 2 consumers shall be set to incorporate risks associated with these customers. The regulated provider shall be authorized to terminate service to a Group 2 consumer for failure to pay for commodity or distribution service. The regulated provider shall not have access to the universal service fund to recover bad debt arising from service to such consumers. A Group 2 consumer shall be eligible to transfer to Group 1 if such a consumer is eligible by income for Group 1 and meets criteria specified in the proposal and accepted by the commission.
(e) The commission is authorized to promulgate rules and regulations to implement this Code section.
(f) The commission shall annually review the performance of the regulated provider. The commission shall utilize the process set forth in subsections (a) and (b) of this Code section to select a regulated provider of natural gas every two years. If the commission determines, in its discretion, that such an action is in the public interest, the commission may extend the service of a regulated provider for a third year, or may terminate the service of a regulated provider after one year.
This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the “Residential Conservation Service Act of 1981.”
The General Assembly finds that the rising cost and uncertain supply of energy resources require an active program of energy conservation assistance, especially for the residential sector, which often has limited access to expert advice on energy conservation. In response to this need and to the mandate of the National Energy Conservation Policy Act, 1P.L. 95-619, the former Office of Energy Resources, now the Division of Energy Resources of the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority, on behalf of the Office of Planning and Budget, has developed the state plan for the Residential Conservation Service, which requires certain utilities to offer home energy audits and related services to residential customers. Further, the General Assembly finds that in order to ensure the implementation of the state plan for the Residential Conservation Service and avoid the imposition of the federal plan, adequate authority for state enforcement of the state plan must be instituted. Therefore, in order to provide Georgia's regulated utilities and their customers with the most appropriate and flexible plan for carrying out the Residential Conservation Service, the General Assembly declares that the Office of Planning and Budget shall be authorized to promulgate regulations to establish the Residential Conservation Service and provide for its enforcement.
1 42 U.S.C.A. § 8201 et seq.
As used in this chapter, the term:
(1) “Covered utility” means a utility which is regulated in rate-making matters by the commission and which in any calendar year had retail sales of natural gas in excess of 10 billion cubic feet or of electricity in excess of 750 million kilowatt hours during the second preceding calendar year.
(2) “Director” means the director of the Office of Planning and Budget or his designee.
(3) “Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, association, state, municipality, or political subdivision of a state; any agency, department, or instrumentality of the United States; or any other entity, and includes any officer, agent, or employee of any of the above.
(4) “Program” means the Residential Conservation Service program, established under the National Energy Conservation Policy Act 1 (P.L. 95-619), as amended.
1 42 U.S.C.A. § 8201 et seq.
The director shall have and may exercise the following powers and duties:
(1) To adopt, modify, repeal, and promulgate, after consultation with all affected parties and due notice and public hearings held in accordance with and established pursuant to Chapter 13 of Title 50, the “Georgia Administrative Procedure Act,” rules and regulations for the establishment and implementation of the Residential Conservation Service program. The initial proposed regulations shall be based upon the state plan for the Residential Conservation Service as approved by the United States Department of Energy and shall include provisions for:
(A) Identification of covered utilities;
(B) Utility responsibilities, such as:
(i) Providing program information for customers;
(ii) Performance of on-site energy audits;
(iii) Arranging financing and installation;
(iv) Distribution of lists of contractors, suppliers, and lenders;
(v) Conducting inspections of installed measures;
(vi) Determining qualifications of auditors and inspectors; and
(vii) Establishing record keeping, financial accounting, and reporting requirements;
(C) Development and maintenance of master records of contractors, suppliers, and lenders;
(D) Consumer complaint mechanisms;
(E) Utility supply, installation, and financing of energy products;
(F) Coordination with affected agencies, especially the commission and the office of the Attorney General;
(G) Compliance and enforcement procedures; and
(H) Other program elements required by federal law;
(2) To administer and enforce this chapter and all rules and regulations and orders promulgated hereunder;
(3) To receive and administer any federal funding available for the purposes of this chapter; and
(4) To amend the regulations promulgated under this chapter to conform to any future changes in the federal law and regulations governing the program.
(a) The director shall have the authority to investigate the activities of the covered utilities in order to ascertain whether they are in compliance with this chapter and the rules and regulations and orders promulgated hereunder. Such investigations may include routine inspections and inspections arising as a result of information indicating that a violation may have occurred.
(b) The director shall have the authority to take any action authorized by this chapter which he deems necessary to enforce this chapter.
(a) Whenever the director has reason to believe that a violation of any provision of this chapter or any rule or regulation adopted pursuant to this chapter has occurred, he shall attempt to obtain a remedy with the violator or violators by conference, conciliation, or persuasion. When a remedy is obtained through conference, conciliation, or persuasion, such remedy may be set out in a written consent order and signed by both the director and the violator or violators. A written consent order shall be considered a final order.
(b) In the case of failure of such conference, conciliation, or persuasion to effect a remedy to such violation, the director may, after notice and hearing, issue a final order directed to such violator or violators, which order shall specify the provisions of the chapter or rule or regulation which have been violated and shall direct that necessary corrective action as prescribed in such order be taken within a reasonable time.
Whenever, in the judgment of the director, any covered utility has engaged in or is about to engage in any act or practice which constitutes or will constitute a violation of this chapter, the director may make application to the superior court wherein the covered utility maintains its principal place of business, or, if a nonresident of the state, to the superior court of the county where such covered utility is engaged in or is about to engage in such act or practice, for an order restraining and enjoining such act or practice; and upon a showing by the director that such covered utility has engaged in or is about to engage in any such act or practice, a temporary or permanent injunction, restraining order, or other order shall be granted without the necessity of showing the lack of an adequate remedy at law.
All hearings under this chapter shall be commenced and conducted in accordance with Chapter 13 of Title 50, the “Georgia Administrative Procedure Act.”
Any person who has exhausted all administrative remedies available before the director and who is aggrieved by a final order or action in a contested case is entitled to judicial review under this chapter. All proceedings for judicial review shall be conducted in accordance with Chapter 13 of Title 50, the “Georgia Administrative Procedure Act”; and any party to the proceeding may secure a review of the final judgment of the superior court by appeal in the manner and form provided by law for appeals from the superior courts to the appellate courts of this state.
It shall be the duty of the Attorney General or his representative to represent the director in all actions in connection with this chapter.
Nothing contained in this chapter shall authorize the director to establish or maintain the Residential Conservation Service program or otherwise administer this chapter except to the extent necessary to avoid the imposition of a federal program pursuant to the National Energy Conservation Policy Act 1 (P.L. 95-619).
1 42 U.S.C.A. § 8201 et seq.
No provision of this chapter or any rules or regulations or orders hereunder shall be construed to be a limitation:
(1) On the activities of any privately or publicly owned utility which is not a covered utility;
(2) On the activities of covered utilities, when such activities are not subject to this chapter;
(3) On the activities of contractors, suppliers, or lenders, when such activities are not subject to this chapter;
(4) On the activities of the Division of Energy Resources of the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority in the enforcement or administration of any program or provision of law; and
(5) On the power of any state or local agency in the enforcement or administration of any provision of law it is specifically permitted or required to enforce or administer, including, but not limited to, the Public Service Commission, the office of the Attorney General, and the Construction Industry Licensing Board.
It shall be unlawful for any covered utility to fail to comply with this chapter and the rules and regulations and orders promulgated hereunder.
(a) Any covered utility which intentionally or negligently violates any provision of this chapter or the rules and regulations promulgated hereunder or which fails or refuses to comply with any final order of the director issued as provided in this chapter shall be liable for a civil penalty not to exceed $1,000.00 for such violation and an additional civil penalty not to exceed $500.00 for each day such violation continues.
(b) The director, after notice and hearing, shall determine whether or not any covered utility has intentionally or negligently violated any provision of this chapter or has failed or refused to comply with any final order of the director and may, upon a proper finding, issue his order imposing such civil penalties as provided in this Code section. Any covered utility so penalized under this section is entitled to judicial review. All hearings and proceedings for judicial review under this Code section shall be in accordance with Chapter 13 of Title 50, the “Georgia Administrative Procedure Act,” as provided in this chapter. All penalties and interest recovered by the director, as provided in this Code section, together with the cost thereof, shall be paid into the state treasury to the credit of the general fund.
(c) Any contractor, supplier, or lender who is listed on the master record established by the Division of Energy Resources of the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority and who violates any provision of this chapter or the rules or regulations promulgated hereunder is subject to removal from the applicable master record in accordance with the rules and regulations established pursuant to the Residential Conservation Service program.
(a)(1) Any telephone company chartered by the laws of this or any other state shall have the right to construct, maintain, and operate its lines and facilities upon, under, along, and over the public roads and highways and rights of way of this state with the approval of the county or municipal authorities in charge of such roads, highways, and rights of way. The approval of such municipal authorities shall be limited to the process set forth in paragraph (3) of subsection (b) of this Code section, and the approval of the county shall be limited to the permitting process set forth in subsection (c) of this Code section. Upon making due compensation, as defined for municipal authorities in paragraphs (9) and (19) of subsection (b) of this Code section and as provided for counties in subsection (c) of this Code section, a telephone company shall have the right to construct, maintain, and operate its lines through or over any lands of this state; on, along, and upon the right of way and structures of any railroads; and, where necessary, under or over any private lands; and, to that end, a telephone company may have and exercise the right of eminent domain.
(2) Notwithstanding any other law, a municipal authority or county shall not:
(A) Require any telephone company to apply for or enter into an individual license, franchise, or other agreement with such municipal authority or county; or
(B) Impose any occupational license tax or fee as a condition of placing or maintaining lines and facilities in its public roads and highways or rights of way, except as specifically set forth in this Code section.
(3) A county or municipal authority shall not impose any occupational license, tax, fee, regulation, obligation, or requirement upon the provision of the services described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of Code Section 46-5-221, including any occupational license, tax, fee, regulation, obligation, or requirement specifically set forth in any part of this chapter other than Part 4.
(4) Whenever a telephone company exercises its powers under paragraph (1) of this subsection, the posts, arms, insulators, and other fixtures of its lines shall be erected, placed, and maintained so as not to obstruct or interfere with the ordinary use of such railroads or public roads and highways, or with the convenience of any landowners, more than may be unavoidable. Any lines constructed by a telephone company on the right of way of any railroad company shall be subject to relocation so as to conform to any uses and needs of such railroad company for railroad purposes. Such fixtures, posts, and wires shall be erected at such distances from the tracks of said railroads as will prevent any and all damage to said railroad companies by the falling of said fixtures, posts, or wires upon said railroad tracks; and such telephone companies shall be liable to said railroad companies for all damages resulting from a failure to comply with this Code section.
(5) No county or municipal authority shall impose upon a telephone company any build-out requirements on network construction or service deployment, and, to the extent that a telephone company has elected alternative regulation pursuant to Code Section 46-5-165, such company may satisfy its obligations pursuant to paragraph (2) of Code Section 46-5-169 by providing communications service, at the company's option, through any affiliated companies and through the use of any technology or service arrangement; provided, however, that such company shall remain subject to its obligations as set forth in paragraphs (4) and (5) of Code Section 46-5-169. The obligations required pursuant to paragraph (2) of Code Section 46-5-169 shall not apply to a telephone company that has elected alternative regulation pursuant to Code Section 46-5-165 and does not receive distributions from the Universal Access Fund as provided for in Code Section 46-5-167.
(b)(1) Except as set forth in paragraph (6) of this subsection, any telephone company that places or seeks to place lines and facilities in the public roads and highways or rights of way of a municipal authority shall provide to such municipal authority the following information:
(A) The name, address, and telephone number of a principal office and local agent of such telephone company;
(B) Proof of certification from the Georgia Public Service Commission of such telephone company to provide telecommunications services in this state;
(C) Proof of insurance or self-insurance of such telephone company adequate to defend and cover claims of third parties and of municipal authorities;
(D) A description of the telephone company's service area, which description shall be sufficiently detailed so as to allow a municipal authority to respond to subscriber inquiries. For the purposes of this paragraph, a telephone company may, in lieu of or as a supplement to a written description, provide a map on 8 1/2 by 11 inch paper that is clear and legible and that fairly depicts the service area within the boundaries of the municipal authority. If such service area is less than the boundaries of an entire municipal authority, the map shall describe the boundaries of the geographic area to be served in clear and concise terms;
(E) A description of the services to be provided;
(F) An affirmative declaration that the telephone company shall comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations, including municipal ordinances and regulations, regarding the placement and maintenance of facilities in the public rights of way that are reasonable, nondiscriminatory, and applicable to all users of the public rights of way, including the requirements of Chapter 9 of Title 25, the “Georgia Utility Facility Protection Act”; and
(G) A statement in bold type at the top of the application as follows: “Pursuant to paragraph (2) of subsection (b) of Code Section 46-5-1 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, the municipal authority shall notify the applicant of any deficiencies in this application within 15 business days of receipt of this application.”
(2) If an application is incomplete, the municipal authority shall notify the telephone company within 15 business days of the receipt of such application; such notice shall specifically identify all application deficiencies. If no such notification is given within 15 business days of the receipt of an application, such application shall be deemed complete.
(3) Within 60 calendar days of the receipt of a completed application, the municipal authority may adopt such application by adoption of a resolution or ordinance or by notification to the telephone company. The failure of a municipal authority to adopt an application within 60 calendar days of the receipt of a completed application shall constitute final adoption of such application.
(4) If it modifies its service area or provisioned services identified in the original application, the telephone company shall notify the municipal authority of changes to the service area or the services provided. Such notice shall be given at least 20 days prior to the effective date of such change. Such notification shall contain a geographic description of the new service area or areas and new services to be provided within the jurisdiction of the affected municipal authority, if any. The municipal authority shall provide to all telephone companies located in its rights of way written notice of annexations and changes in municipal corporate boundaries which, for the purposes of this Code section, shall become effective 30 days following receipt.
(5) An application adopted pursuant to this Code section may be terminated by a telephone company by submitting a notice of termination to the affected municipal authority. For purposes of this Code section, such notice shall identify the telephone company, the affected service area, and the effective date of such termination, which shall not be less than 60 calendar days from the date of filing the notice of termination.
(6) Any telephone company that has previously obtained permits for the placement of its facilities, has specified the name of such telephone company in such permit application, has previously placed its facilities in any public right of way, and has paid and continues to pay any applicable municipal authority's occupational license taxes, permit fees, franchise fees, except as set forth in paragraph (8) of this subsection, or, if applicable, county permit fees shall be deemed to have complied with this Code section without any further action on the part of such telephone company except as set forth in paragraphs (8), (9), (11), (17), and (19) of this subsection.
(7) Any telephone company that has placed lines and facilities in the public roads and highways or rights of way of a municipal authority without first obtaining permits or otherwise notifying the appropriate municipal authority of its presence in the public roads and highways or rights of way shall provide the information required by paragraph (1) of this subsection, if applicable, to such municipal authority on or before October 1, 2008. As of October 1, 2008, if any telephone company, other than those who meet the requirements of paragraph (6) of this subsection, has failed or fails to provide the information required by paragraph (1) of this subsection to the municipal authority in which its lines or facilities are located, such municipal authority shall provide written notice to such telephone company giving that company 15 calendar days from the date of receipt of such notice to comply with this subsection. In the event the 15 calendar day cure period expires without compliance, such municipal authority may petition the Georgia Public Service Commission which shall, after an opportunity for a hearing, order the appropriate relief.
(8)(A) In the event any telephone company has an existing, valid municipal franchise agreement as of January 1, 2008, the terms and conditions of such existing franchise agreement shall only remain effective and enforceable until the expiration of the existing agreement or December 31, 2012, whichever shall first occur.
(B) In the event any telephone company is paying an existing occupational license tax or fee, based on actual recurring local services revenues, as of January 1, 2008, such payment shall be considered the payment of due compensation without further action on the part of the municipal authority. In the event that the rate of such existing tax or fee exceeds 3 percent of actual recurring local service revenues, that rate shall remain effective until December 31, 2012; thereafter, the payment by such telephone company at the rate of 3 percent shall be considered the payment of due compensation without further action on the part of the municipal authority.
(9) As used in this Code section, “due compensation” for a municipal authority means an amount equal to no more than 3 percent of actual recurring local service revenues received by such company from its retail, end user customers located within the boundaries of such municipal authority. “Actual recurring local service revenues” means those revenues customarily included in the Uniform System of Accounts as prescribed by the Federal Communications Commission for Class “A” and “B” companies; provided, however, that only the local service portion of the following accounts shall be included:
(A) Basic local service revenue, as defined in 47 C.F.R. 32.5000;
(B) Basic area revenue, as defined in 47 C.F.R. 32.5001;
(C) Optional extended area revenue, as defined in 47 C.F.R. 32.5002;
(D) Public telephone revenue, which shall include message revenue, such as that which is coin paid, and other revenue derived from public and semi-public telephone services provided within the basic service area;
(E) Local private line revenue, as defined in 47 C.F.R. 32.5040; provided, however, that the portion of such accounts attributable to audio and video program transmission service where both terminals of the private line are within the corporate limits of the municipal authority shall not be included;
(F) Other basic area revenue, as defined in 47 C.F.R. 32.5060(a)-(b);
(G) Network access revenue, as defined in 47 C.F.R. 32.4999;
(H) Directory revenue, as defined in 47 C.F.R. 32.5230; provided, however, that the portion of such accounts attributable to revenue derived from listings in portion of directories not considered white pages shall not be included;
(I) Nonregulated operating revenue, as defined in 47 C.F.R. 32.5280; provided, however, that the portion of such accounts attributable to revenues derived from private lines shall not be included; and
(J) Uncollectible revenue, as defined in 47 C.F.R. 32.5300.
Any charge imposed by a municipal authority shall be assessed in a nondiscriminatory and competitively neutral manner.
(10) Any due compensation paid to municipal authorities pursuant to paragraph (9) or (19) of this subsection shall be in lieu of any other permit fee, encroachment fee, degradation fee, disruption fee, business license tax, occupational license tax, occupational license fee, or other fee otherwise permitted pursuant to the provisions of subparagraph (A) of paragraph (7) of Code Section 36-34-2 or Code Section 32-4-92 et seq., or any other provision of law regardless of nomenclature; provided, however, that nothing in this paragraph shall prohibit municipal authorities from imposing fees for wireless facilities, wireless support structures, collocations, or modifications that are not prohibited by Code Section 36-66B-7 or from imposing rates or fees that are permitted by Code Sections 36-66B-5 and 36-66C-5.
(11) A telephone company with facilities in the public rights of way of a municipal authority shall begin assessing on subscribers due compensation, as defined in paragraph (9) of this subsection, on the date that service commences unless such company is currently paying a municipal authority's occupational license tax. Due compensation as defined in paragraph (19) of this subsection shall begin to accrue starting on the date the telephone company completes installation of the facilities in the public rights of way of a municipal authority that are subject to paragraph (19) of this subsection. Due compensation under paragraphs (9) and (19) of this subsection shall be paid directly to each affected municipal authority within 30 calendar days after the last day of each calendar quarter. In the event that due compensation is not paid on or before 30 calendar days after the last day of each calendar quarter, the affected municipal authority shall provide written notice to such telephone company, giving such company 15 calendar days from the date such company receives such notice to cure any such nonpayment. In the event the due compensation remitted to the affected municipal authority is not postmarked on or before the expiration of the 15 day cure period, such company shall pay interest thereon at a rate of 1 percent per month to the affected municipal authority. If the 15 day cure period expires on a Saturday, a Sunday, or a state legal holiday, the due date shall be the next business day. A telephone company shall not be assessed any interest on late payments if due compensation was submitted in error to a neighboring municipal authority.
(12) Each municipal authority may, no more than once annually, audit the business records of a telephone company to the extent necessary to ensure payment in accordance with this Code section. As used in this Code section, “audit” means a comprehensive review of the records of a company which is reasonably related to the calculation and payment of due compensation. Once any audited period of a company has been the subject of a requested audit, such audited period of such company shall not again be the subject of any audit. In the event of a dispute concerning the amount of due compensation due to an affected municipal authority under this Code section, an action may be brought in a court of competent jurisdiction by an affected municipal authority seeking to recover an additional amount alleged to be due or by a company seeking a refund of an alleged overpayment; provided, however, that any such action shall be brought within three years following the end of the quarter to which the disputed amount relates, although such time period may be extended by written agreement between the company and such affected municipal authority. Each party shall bear the party's own costs incurred in connection with any dispute. The auditing municipal authority shall bear the cost of the audit; provided, however, that if an affected municipal authority files an action to recover alleged underpayments of due compensation and a court of competent jurisdiction determines the company has underpaid due compensation due for any 12 month period by 10 percent or more, such company shall be required to pay such municipal authority's reasonable costs associated with such audit along with any due compensation underpayments; provided, further, that late payments shall not apply. All undisputed amounts due to a municipal authority resulting from an audit shall be paid to the municipal authority within 45 days, or interest shall accrue.
(13) If, after a municipal authority provides written notice under paragraph (11), any telephone company fails to comply with the due compensation requirements of paragraph (9) or (19) of this subsection for four or more consecutive quarters, such telephone company shall be subject to a civil penalty; provided, however, that the penalty shall be imposed within three years following the end of the first quarter in which the telephone company failed to comply with such requirements and shall not exceed ten percent of the total due compensation owed and unpaid to the municipal authority since the inception of the three-year period. The municipal authority issuing the penalty may suspend the telephone company's ability to receive any new permits from the municipal authority until the telephone company has paid the amount assessed for the civil penalty and unpaid due compensation; provided, however, that the municipal authority shall not suspend such ability of any telephone company that has deposited the amount of the penalty and unpaid due compensation in escrow pending an adjudication of the merits of the dispute by a court of competent jurisdiction.
(14) The information provided pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subsection and any records or information furnished or disclosed by a telephone company to an affected municipal authority pursuant to paragraph (12) of this subsection shall be exempt from public inspection under Article 4 of Chapter 18 of Title 50. It shall be the duty of such telephone company to mark all such documents as exempt from Article 4 of Chapter 18 of Title 50, and the telephone company shall defend, indemnify, and hold harmless any municipal authority and any municipal officer or employee in any request for, or in any action seeking, access to such records.
(15) No acceptance of any payment shall be construed as a release or as an accord and satisfaction of any claim an affected municipal authority may have for further or additional sums payable as due compensation.
(16) Any amounts overpaid by a company as due compensation shall be deducted from future due compensation owed.
(17) A telephone company paying due compensation pursuant to this Code section may designate that portion of a subscriber's bill attributable to such charge as a separate line item of the bill and recover such amount from the subscriber.
(18) Nothing in this Code section shall affect the authority of a municipal authority to require telephone companies accessing the public roads and highways and rights of way of a municipal authority to obtain permits and otherwise comply with the reasonable regulations established pursuant to paragraph (10) of subsection (a) of Code Section 32-4-92.
(19) If a telephone company does not have retail, end user customers located within the boundaries of a municipal authority, then the following shall apply:
(A) Payment by such company at the same rates that such payments were being made as of January 1, 2013, to a municipal authority for the use of its rights of way shall be considered the payment of due compensation; provided, however, that effective January 1, 2023, for telephone companies that provide any broadband services to any location within the boundaries of a municipal authority, payment at the rate of 5¢ per linear foot annually shall be considered due compensation, and for telephone companies that do not provide any broadband services to any location within the boundaries of a municipal authority, payment at the rate of 19¢ per linear foot annually shall be considered the payment of due compensation. As used in this subparagraph, the term “broadband services” shall have the same meaning as provided in Code Section 50-40-1;
(B) In addition to the annual rate under subparagraph (A) of this paragraph, due compensation may also include a one-time permit application processing fee not to exceed the lesser of the municipal authority's actual and reasonable direct costs for administration of the telephone company's use of the right of way or $100.00; and
(C) Any telephone company that is paying due compensation under paragraph (9) of this subsection shall not be required to pay the fees set forth in this paragraph.
(20) Nothing in this Code section shall be construed to affect any franchise fee or due compensation payments which were in dispute on or before December 31, 2022.
(21) If a telephone company paying due compensation pursuant to paragraph (9) will begin paying due compensation pursuant to paragraph (19), or vice versa, such telephone company shall notify the municipal authority of this change in writing, no less than ten calendar days prior to the end of the first quarter in which the new due compensation payments are to be assessed or begin accruing.
(c) If a telephone company accesses the public roads and highways and rights of way of a county and such county requires such telephone company to pay due compensation, such due compensation shall be limited to an administrative cost recoupment fee which shall not exceed such county's direct, actual costs incurred in its permitting process, including issuing and processing permits, plan reviews, physical inspection and direct administrative costs; and such costs shall be demonstrable and shall be equitable among applicable users of such county's roads and highways or rights of way. Permit fees shall not include the costs of highway or rights of way acquisition or any general administrative, management, or maintenance costs of the roads and highways or rights of way and shall not be imposed for any activity that does not require the physical disturbance of such public roads and highways or rights of way or does not impair access to or full use of such public roads and highways or rights of way. Nothing in this Code section shall affect the authority of a county to require a telephone company to comply with reasonable regulations for construction of telephone lines and facilities in public highways or rights of way pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (6) of Code Section 32-4-42.
(a) It shall be unlawful for any person to avoid or attempt to avoid or to cause another to avoid the lawful charges, in whole or in part, for any telecommunication service as defined in subsection (a) of Code Section 46-5-3 or for the transmission of a message, signal, or other communication by telephone or over telecommunication facilities by the use of any fraudulent scheme, means, or method, or by the use of any unlawful telecommunication device as defined in subsection (a) of Code Section 46-5-3 or other mechanical, electric, or electronic device; provided, however, that this Code section and Code Sections 46-5-3 and 46-5-4 shall not apply to amateur radio repeater operation involving a dial interconnect.
(b)(1) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, any person who violates this Code section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor; provided, however, that upon conviction of a second or subsequent such offense under this Code section, the defendant commits a felony and shall be punished by a fine of not more than $5,000.00 or imprisoned for not less than one nor more than five years, or both.
(2) Any person who violates this Code section by avoiding or causing another to avoid lawful charges for any telecommunication service which lawful charges are in an amount in excess of $10,000.00 commits a felony and shall be punished by a fine of not more than $5,000.00 or imprisoned for not less than one nor more than five years, or both.
(3) The court may, in addition to any other sentence authorized by law, order a person convicted under this Code section to make restitution for the offense.
(4) Any person, corporation, or other entity aggrieved by a violation of this Code section may, in a civil action in any court of competent jurisdiction, obtain appropriate relief, including preliminary and other equitable or declaratory relief, compensatory and punitive damages, reasonable investigation expenses, cost of suit, and reasonable attorney's fees.
(5) Compensatory damages awarded by a court in a civil action under this Code section shall be computed as one of the following:
(A) At any time prior to the entering of a final judgment, the complaining party may elect to recover the actual damages suffered by the complaining party as a result of the violation of this Code section;
(B) In any case where a violator commits more than one violation of this Code section, the complaining party, at any time before final judgment is entered, may elect to recover, in lieu of actual damages, an award of statutory damages for all violations involved in the action in a sum not less than $250.00 nor more than $10,000.00 per violation. The amount of statutory damages shall be determined by the court as the court considers just;
(C) In any case where the court finds that any of the violations of this Code section were committed willfully and for the purposes of commercial advantage or financial gain, the court in its discretion may increase the award of damages, whether actual or statutory, by an amount of not more than $50,000.00; or
(D) Nothing in this paragraph shall prohibit the recovery of other types of damages otherwise authorized under paragraph (4) of this subsection.
(a) As used in this Code section, the term:
(1) “Telecommunication service” means any service provided for a charge or compensation to facilitate the origination, transmission, emission, or reception of signs, signals, data, writings, images, sounds, or intelligence of any nature by telephone or telephone service, including public pay telephones, or cable television service (CATV), including cellular or other wireless telephones, wire, radio, electromagnetic, photoelectronic, or photo-optical system.
(2) “Telecommunication service provider” means a person, corporation, or other entity which provides telecommunication service, including public pay telephones and including a cellular, paging, or other wireless communications company or other person, corporation, or entity which, for a fee, supplies the facility, cell site, mobile telephone switching office, or other equipment or telecommunication service.
(3) “Unlawful telecommunication device” means any telecommunications device that is capable, or has been illegally altered, modified, or programmed or reprogrammed alone or in conjunction with another access device or other equipment so as to be capable, of acquiring or facilitating the acquisition of any electronic serial number, mobile identification number, personal identification number, or any telecommunication service without the consent of the telecommunication service provider or without the consent of the legally authorized user of the telecommunication device. The term includes telecommunications devices altered to obtain service without the consent of the telecommunication service provider, tumbler phones, counterfeit or clone microchips, scanning receivers of wireless telecommunication service of a telecommunication service provider, and other instruments capable of disguising their identity or location or of gaining access to a communications system operated by a telecommunication service provider. Such term shall not apply to any device operated by a law enforcement agency or telecommunication service provider in the normal course of its activities.
(b) It shall be unlawful for any person knowingly to:
(1) Make or possess any unlawful telecommunication device designed, adapted, or used:
(A) For commission of a theft of telecommunication service in violation of Code Section 46-5-2 or to acquire or facilitate the acquisition of telecommunications service without the consent of the telecommunication service provider; or
(B) To conceal, or to assist another to conceal, from any supplier of telecommunication service or from any lawful authority the existence or place of origin or of destination of any telecommunication;
(2) Sell, give, transport, or otherwise transfer to another, or offer or advertise for sale, any unlawful telecommunication device, or plans or instructions for making or assembling the same, under circumstances evincing an intent to use or employ such unlawful telecommunication device; or to allow such unlawful telecommunication device to be used or employed for a purpose described in paragraph (1) of this subsection or knowing or having reason to believe that the same is intended to be so used or that the aforesaid plans or instructions are intended to be used for making or assembling such unlawful telecommunication device; or
(3) Publish plans or instructions for making or assembling or using any unlawful telecommunication device.
(c)(1) Any person who violates this Code section shall be guilty of a felony and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine of not more than $ 1,000.00 or by imprisonment in the penitentiary for not less than one nor more than five years, or both; provided, however, that upon conviction of a second or subsequent such offense under this Code section, the defendant shall be punished by a fine of not more than $ 5,000.00 or imprisoned for not less than three nor more than ten years, or both.
(2) The court may, in addition to any other sentence authorized by law, order a person convicted under this Code section to make restitution for the offense.
(3) Any person, corporation, or other entity aggrieved by a violation of this Code section may, in a civil action in any court of competent jurisdiction, obtain appropriate relief, including preliminary and other equitable or declaratory relief, compensatory and punitive damages, reasonable investigation expenses, cost of suit, and reasonable attorney's fees.
(4) Compensatory damages awarded by a court in a civil action under this Code section shall be computed as one of the following:
(A) At any time prior to the entering of a final judgment, the complaining party may elect to recover the actual damages suffered by the complaining party as a result of the violation of this Code section;
(B) In any case where a violator commits more than one violation of this Code section, the complaining party, at any time before final judgment is entered, may elect to recover, in lieu of actual damages, an award of statutory damages of not less than $ 250.00 nor more than $ 10,000.00 for each unlawful telecommunications device involved in the action. The amount of statutory damages shall be determined by the court as the court considers just;
(C) In any case where the court finds that any of the violations of this Code section were committed willfully and for the purposes of commercial advantage or financial gain, the court in its discretion may increase the award of statutory damages by an amount of not more than $ 50,000.00 for each unlawful telecommunication device involved in the action; or
(D) Nothing in this paragraph shall prohibit the recovery of other types of damages otherwise authorized under paragraph (3) of this subsection.
Any unlawful telecommunication device as defined in subsection (a) of Code Section 46-5-3 or other instrument, apparatus, equipment, or device, or any plan or instruction therefor, referred to in Code Section 46-5-3 may be seized by court order, or under a search warrant issued by a judge or a magistrate, or incident to a lawful arrest. Upon the conviction of any person for a violation of any provisions of Code Section 46-5-2 or 46-5-3, such instrument, apparatus, equipment, device, plan, or instruction shall be either destroyed as contraband by the sheriff of the county in which such person was convicted or turned over to the telephone company or telecommunication service provider in whose territory such instrument, apparatus, equipment, device, plan, or instruction was seized.
Local exchanges 495 and 567 shall be included in the current 404 area code on or before July 1, 1996, and removed from the 706 area code; provided, however, that if a geographic area of the 404 area code is designated as a different area code and such geographic area is contiguous to a part of the geographic area where local exchange 495 or 567 is operational, then nothing in this Code section shall prohibit local exchange 495 or 567 from being included in the newly designated area code.
The Public Service Commission shall have the exclusive power and authority to prescribe rules and regulations for the operation, maintenance, location, and deployment of public pay telephones within this state.
(a) Prior to January 1, 2005, each person, corporation, or other entity that provides telephone service in this state and each person, corporation, or other entity that publishes, disseminates, or otherwise provides telephone directory information or listings of telephone subscribers in this state shall file a plan with the commission setting forth in detail how such person, corporation, or other entity will protect the confidentiality of the address or location of family violence shelters, as defined in Code Section 19-13-20, in this state. Such plan shall describe the manner in which the person, corporation, or other entity will identify all such shelters and the manner in which the person, corporation, or other entity will keep the location and address of such shelters confidential.
(b) Such persons, corporations, and other entities shall update such plans at least every 24 months.
(c) Such original and updated plans shall be approved by the commission within a reasonable time upon a determination that the plans are reasonably effective in identifying the family violence shelters in the state and in maintaining the confidentiality of the location and address of such family violence shelters. If the commission determines that a plan is inadequate, it shall state the basis on which the plan was determined to be inadequate and shall allow the person, corporation, or other entity filing such plan a period of not more than 30 days to file a revised plan that is acceptable to the commission.
(d) Such plans shall not be open to examination by the public and shall be exempt from disclosure under the provisions of Article 4 of Chapter 18 of Title 50.
(e) Within three days of filing original plans or updates with the commission, each person, corporation, or other entity subject to this Code section shall submit a copy of all original plans, updated plans, and revised plans to the State Commission on Family Violence, which is authorized to provide comments concerning such plans to the commission in order to aid in review and approval of such plans.
(f) The filing or approval of such plans shall not in any manner be a defense to any action or prosecution.
(a) As used in this Code section, the term “service member” means an active duty member of the regular or reserve component of the United States armed forces, the United States Coast Guard, the Georgia National Guard, or the Georgia Air National Guard on ordered federal duty for a period of 90 days or longer.
(b) Any service member may terminate his or her wireless telecommunications service contract by providing the wireless telecommunications provider with a written notice of termination, effective on the date specified in the notice, which date shall be at least 30 days after receipt of the notice by the wireless telecommunications provider, if any of the following criteria are met:
(1) The service member is required, pursuant to a permanent change of station orders, to move outside the area served by the wireless telecommunications provider or to an area where the type of wireless telecommunications service being provided to the service member is not available from the wireless telecommunications provider;
(2) The service member is discharged or released from active duty or state active duty and will return from such duty to an area not served by the wireless telecommunications provider or where the type of telecommunications service contracted for is not available from the wireless telecommunications provider;
(3) The service member is released from active duty after having entered into a contract for wireless telecommunications service while on active duty status and the wireless telecommunications provider does not provide telecommunications service or the same type of wireless telecommunications service contracted for in the region of the service member's home of record prior to entering active duty;
(4) The service member receives military orders requiring him or her to move outside the continental United States; or
(5) The service member receives temporary duty orders, temporary change of station orders, or active duty or state active duty orders to an area not served by the wireless telecommunications provider or where the type of wireless telecommunications service contracted for is not available from the wireless telecommunications provider, provided such orders are for a period exceeding 60 days.
(c) The written notice to the wireless telecommunications provider must be accompanied by either a copy of the official military orders or a written verification signed by the service member's commanding officer.
(d) Upon termination of a contract under this Code section, the service member is liable for the amount due under the contract prorated to the effective date of the termination payable at such time as would have otherwise been required by the terms of the contract. The service member is not liable for any other fees due to the early termination of the contract as provided for in this Code section.
(e) The provisions of this Code section shall apply to any contract for wireless telecommunications service entered into on or after July 1, 2005, and to any renewals, modifications, or extensions of any such contract in effect on such date and may not be waived or modified by the agreement of the parties under any circumstances.
(a) When any municipal, county, state, or federal law enforcement officer acting within his apparent jurisdiction has reason to believe that certain telephone facilities or any part thereof are being used or have been used in violation of any federal law, the laws of the State of Georgia, or the ordinances of any municipality therein, that officer may make oath or affidavit stating his belief to the district attorney of the judicial circuit in which the telephone facilities are located. Thereupon, the district attorney shall petition the judge of the superior court of that circuit to issue a rule nisi which shall be promptly served upon the person in whose name the telephone facilities are listed, requiring the party, within a reasonable time to be fixed by the judge, which shall not be less than 48 hours from time of service of the petition on said party, to show cause before the judge why the telephone facilities should not be promptly removed. At the hearing on the rule nisi the burden of proof shall be upon the petitioner.
(b) Upon a finding by the court that the telephone facilities are being or have been used in violation of the laws described in subsection (a) of this Code section, the court shall issue an order requiring the telephone company which is rendering service over the facilities to disconnect and remove such facilities. Upon receipt of such order, which shall be served upon an officer of the telephone company by the sheriff of the county in which the telephone facilities are installed or by his duly authorized deputies, the telephone company shall proceed within a reasonable time to disconnect and remove such facilities and discontinue all telephone service rendered over the facilities until further order of the court.
(c) The law enforcement officer who applies to the district attorney for the removal of such facilities shall, in his official capacity, be a necessary party to any proceeding or action arising out of or under this Code section.
(d) No telephone company shall be liable for any damages, penalty, or forfeiture, whether civil or criminal, for any act performed in compliance with any order issued by the judge of the superior court under this Code section.
(a) It shall be a misdemeanor for any person, by means of telephone communication in this state, to:
(1) Make any comment, request, suggestion, or proposal which is obscene, lewd, lascivious, filthy, or indecent;
(2) Make a telephone call, whether or not conversation ensues, without disclosing his identity and with intent to annoy, abuse, threaten, or harass any person at the called number;
(3) Make or cause the telephone of another repeatedly or continuously to ring, with intent to harass any person at the called number; or
(4) Make repeated telephone calls, during which conversation ensues, solely to harass any person at the called number.
(b) Any person who knowingly permits any telephone under his control to be used for any purpose prohibited by this Code section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
(a) It shall be unlawful for any person, by means of a telephone communication for commercial purposes, to make directly or by means of an electronic recording device, any comment, request, suggestion, or proposal which is obscene, lewd, lascivious, filthy, or indecent. Any person who makes any such comment, request, suggestion, or proposal may be subject to prosecution under this Code section regardless of whether such person placed or initiated the telephone call.
(b) It shall be unlawful for any person to permit knowingly any telephone or telephone facility connected to a local exchange telephone under such person's control to be used for any purpose prohibited by this Code section.
(c) Any person who violates any provision of this Code section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. For purposes of this subsection, each day of a violation shall constitute a separate offense.
(d) A court may grant a preliminary injunction under this Code section after due notice to the party to be enjoined and upon a sufficient showing of the likelihood of ultimate success in a prosecution under this Code section and showing that such injunction would be in the public interest. Such injunction shall be dissolved by the court if a full trial on the merits is not scheduled within such period as may be specified by the court not to exceed 30 days.
(e) In the event that a person applies to a local exchange telephone company for use of the local exchange telephone company's facilities for the purpose of transmitting a recorded commercial message, the local exchange telephone company shall have the authority to review the message and deny the applicant's request for facilities if the message appears to violate the provisions of this Code section.
(a)(1) As used in this Code section, the term “ADAD equipment” means any device or system of devices which is used, whether alone or in conjunction with other equipment, for the purpose of automatically selecting or dialing telephone numbers and disseminating prerecorded messages to the numbers so selected or dialed.
(2) It shall be unlawful for any person to use, to employ or direct another person to use, or to contract for the use of ADAD equipment for the purpose of advertising or offering for sale, lease, rental, or as a gift any goods, services, or property, either real or personal, primarily for personal, family, or household use or for the purpose of conducting polls or soliciting information where:
(A) Consent is not received prior to the initiation of the calls as specified in paragraph (3) of this subsection;
(B) Such use is other than between the hours of 8:00 A.M. and 9:00 P.M.;
(C) The ADAD equipment will operate unattended or is not so designed and equipped with an automatic clock and calendar device that it will not operate unattended, even in the event of power failures;
(D) Such use involves either the random or sequential dialing of telephone numbers;
(E) The telephone number required to be stated in subparagraph (G) of this paragraph is not one which during normal business hours is promptly answered in person by a person who is an agent of the person on whose behalf the automatic calls are made and who is willing and able to provide information concerning the automatic calls;
(F) The automatic dialing and recorded message player does not automatically and immediately terminate its connection with any telephone call within ten seconds after the person called fails to give consent for the playing of a recorded message or hangs up his or her telephone;
(G) The recorded message fails to state clearly the name and telephone number of the person or organization initiating the call within the first 25 seconds of the call and at the conclusion of the call; or
(H) Such use involves calls to telephone numbers which at the request of the customer have been omitted from the telephone directory published by the local exchange company serving the customer or involves calls to hospitals, nursing homes, fire protection agencies, or law enforcement agencies;
(3)(A) A person may give consent to a call made with ADAD equipment when a line operator introduces the call and states an intent to play a recorded message. Any such consent shall apply only to one particular call and shall not constitute prior consent to receive further calls through the use of such ADAD equipment.
(B) Any person wishing to receive telephone calls through the use of ADAD equipment shall give his or her written consent to the person using, employing or directing another person to use, or contracting for the use of such ADAD equipment. Any forms used for such written consent by any person using, employing or directing another person to use, or contracting for the use of such ADAD equipment shall clearly and conspicuously state its purpose and effect and clearly and conspicuously give notice of how the consent may be withdrawn. A record of such written consent shall be maintained by the person to whom consent is given and shall be made available to the commission or its authorized representative, without further action, during normal business hours and following reasonable notice. Such consent shall, unless withdrawn, be valid for a period of two years from the date on which it is executed; and such record of written consent shall be maintained by the person to whom consent is given for at least the same period of time. Any consent to receive telephone calls through the use of ADAD equipment shall be void and withdrawn on the fifteenth day following the receipt of a letter withdrawing such consent. It shall be unlawful for any person to whom written consent is given to fail to maintain the record of such written consent for the time period required by this paragraph or to prevent or hinder the commission or its authorized representative from inspecting any such record of written consent.
(b) It shall not be unlawful for any person to use, to employ or direct another person to use, or to contract for the use of ADAD equipment in any manner covered by the provisions of subparagraphs (a)(2)(B) through (a)(2)(G) of this Code section when:
(1) Calls are made with ADAD equipment by a nonprofit organization, or by an individual using such calls other than for commercial profit-making purposes, and the calls do not involve the advertisement or offering for sale, lease, or rental of goods, services, or property;
(2) Calls made with ADAD equipment relate to payment for, service of, or warranty coverage of previously ordered or purchased goods or services; or
(3) Calls made with ADAD equipment relate to collection of lawful debts.
(c) It shall be unlawful for any person to connect any ADAD equipment to any telephone line in this state for the purpose of making telephone calls to persons in this state through the use of ADAD equipment unless a permit has been issued for such ADAD equipment by the commission. Any person desiring to use ADAD equipment in this state shall make application for a permit to the commission on forms prescribed by the commission and shall pay a fee as prescribed by the commission for such permit. Permits shall be renewed biennially as prescribed by the commission and upon payment of a renewal fee. The fees charged shall cover the administrative cost for the issuance of such permits. Permits shall be subject to suspension or revocation for any violation of this Code section.
(d) The provisions of this Code section shall supersede any prior rule, regulation, or order of the commission governing the use of ADAD equipment but shall not prohibit or supersede any future rule, regulation, or order of the commission governing the use of ADAD equipment except to the extent that any such rule, regulation, or order directly conflicts with this subsection. Except for criminal sanctions, the commission is charged with the responsibility of enforcing this Code section; and the commission shall require local exchange companies to file with the commission appropriate tariff revisions to implement this subsection. Any person who operates or utilizes ADAD equipment in violation of the provisions of this Code section shall be subject to disconnection of telephone service if the violation does not cease within ten days from the date of notification to such person by the local exchange company; and the tariff revisions filed by local exchange companies shall provide for the giving of such notification by local exchange companies and for such disconnection of service.
(e) Any person who violates any provision of this Code section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
(a) As used in this Code section, the term:
(1) “ADAD equipment” means any device or system of devices which is used, whether alone or in conjunction with other equipment, for the purpose of automatically selecting or dialing telephone numbers and disseminating prerecorded messages to the numbers so selected or dialed.
(2) “976 number” means any seven-digit telephone number the first three digits of which are 976 or any other combination of numbers and for which a per-call fee is charged for calling such telephone number.
(b)(1) It shall be unlawful for any person making use of a 976 number for the receipt of incoming calls to use, to employ or direct another person to use, or to contract for the use of ADAD equipment for the purpose of soliciting any person to call such 976 number.
(2) It shall be unlawful for any person making use of a 976 number for the receipt of incoming calls to use, to employ or direct another person to use, or to contract for the use of the United States mail for the purpose of soliciting any person to call such 976 number.
(c) No telephone exchange company shall provide access to a 976 number or numbers to any person who solicits calls to such number or numbers through the use of ADAD equipment or through the use of the United States mail. The telephone exchange companies shall, upon the order of the commission, withdraw access to a 976 number or numbers from any person if calls to such number or numbers are solicited by ADAD equipment or are solicited through the use of the United States mail.
(d) The provisions of this Code section shall supersede any rule, regulation, or order governing the use of 976 numbers if such is in conflict with this Code section. Except for criminal sanctions, the commission is charged with the responsibility of enforcing this Code section. Any person who violates any provision of this Code section shall be subject to disconnection of 976 number telephone service if the commission determines that any violation has occurred and upon the commission's, thereafter, issuing an order directing such disconnection.
(e) Any person who violates any provision of subsection (b) of this Code section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
(a) As used in this Code section, the term “telefacsimile” shall refer to any process by which electronic signals are transmitted by any telephone system for conversion into written text.
(b) It shall be unlawful for any person to initiate the transmission of, employ or direct another person to initiate the transmission of, or contract for the initiation of the transmission of an unsolicited facsimile message for the commercial purpose of advertising or offering the sale, lease, rental, or gift of any goods, services, or real or personal property.
(c)(1) Subsection (b) of this Code section shall not apply where the recipient has consented to the receipt of one or more telefacsimile messages or where there exists a prior contractual or business relationship between the recipient and the initiator or the initiator's principal.
(2) The exception provided for in paragraph (1) of this subsection shall not apply where the recipient has notified the initiator or the initiator's principal that the recipient does not wish to receive further telefacsimile messages from the initiator or the initiator's principal.
(d) Any person who violates this Code section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be punished by a fine not to exceed $1,000.00. Each transmission of a facsimile message in violation of this Code section shall constitute a separate offense.
(e) The commission is charged with the responsibility of civil enforcement of this Code section and the commission shall require local exchange companies to file with the commission appropriate tariff revisions to implement this subsection. Any person who violates the provisions of this Code section shall be subject to disconnection of telephone service if the violation does not cease within ten days from the date of notification to such person by the local exchange company; and the tariff revisions filed by local exchange companies shall provide for the giving of such notification by local exchange companies and for such disconnection of service.
(a) Each telecommunications utility and telecommunications company that provides operator service shall ensure that a caller may obtain access to a live operator through a method designed to be easily and clearly understandable and accessible to the caller. This Code section applies regardless of the method by which the telecommunications utility or telecommunications company provides the operator service. The requirements of this Code section shall not apply to telephones located in prisons or jail facilities or to wireless telecommunication services. For the purpose of this Code section, “operator services” means services that are provided when a caller dials “0”.
(b) The failure of a telecommunications utility or telecommunications company to provide access to a live operator as required in subsection (a) of this Code section shall not serve as the basis for a cause of action for personal injuries or damage to property.
(a) The General Assembly finds that:
(1) The use of the telephone to market goods and services is pervasive now due to the increased use of cost-effective telemarketing techniques;
(2) Over 30,000 businesses actively telemarket goods and services to business and residential customers;
(3) Every day, over 300,000 solicitors place calls to more than 18 million Americans, including citizens of this state;
(4) Telemarketing, however, can be an intrusive and relentless invasion of the privacy and peacefulness of individuals;
(5) Many citizens of this state are outraged over the proliferation of nuisance calls from telemarketers;
(6) Individuals' privacy rights and commercial freedom of speech can be balanced in a way that accommodates both the privacy of individuals and legitimate telemarketing practices; and
(7) It is in the public interest to establish a mechanism under which the individual citizens of this state can decide whether or not to receive telemarketing calls.
(b) As used in this Code section, the term:
(1) “Caller identification service” means a type of telephone service which permits telephone subscribers to see the telephone number of incoming telephone calls.
(2) “Residential, mobile, or wireless subscriber” means a person who has subscribed to telephone service from a local exchange company or mobile or wireless telephone service provider or other persons living or residing with such person.
<Text of subsec. (b)(3) effective until January 1, 2024>
(3) “Telephone solicitation” means any voice communication over a telephone line for the purpose of encouraging the purchase or rental of, or investment in, property, goods, or services, but does not include communications:
(A) To any residential, mobile, or wireless subscriber with that subscriber's prior express invitation or permission;
(B) By or on behalf of any person or entity with whom a residential, mobile, or wireless subscriber has a prior or current business or personal relationship; or
(C) By or on behalf of a charitable organization which has filed a registration statement pursuant to Code Section 43-17-5, is exempt from such registration under paragraphs (1) through (6) of subsection (a) of Code Section 43-17-9, or is exempt from such registration as a religious organization or agency referred to in paragraph (2) of Code Section 43-17-2.
Such communication may be from a live operator, through the use of ADAD equipment as defined in Code Section 46-5-23, or by other means.
<Text of subsec. (b)(3) effective January 1, 2024>
(3) “Telephone solicitation” means any voice communication over a telephone line for the purpose of encouraging the purchase or rental of, or investment in, personal property, real property, goods, or services, but does not include communications:
(A) To any residential, mobile, or wireless subscriber with that subscriber's prior express invitation or permission;
(B) By or on behalf of any person or entity with whom a residential, mobile, or wireless subscriber has a prior or current business or personal relationship; or
(C) By or on behalf of a charitable organization which has filed a registration statement pursuant to Code Section 43-17-5, is exempt from such registration under paragraphs (1) through (6) of subsection (a) of Code Section 43-17-9, or is exempt from such registration as a religious organization or agency referred to in paragraph (2) of Code Section 43-17-2; or
(D) By any person who is licensed or regulated pursuant to Chapter 40 or Chapter 41 of Title 43 or Chapter 19 of Title 15.
Such communication may be from a live operator, through the use of ADAD equipment as defined in Code Section 46-5-23, or by other means.
(c) No person or entity shall make or cause to be made any telephone solicitation to the telephone line of any residential, mobile, or wireless subscriber in this state who has given notice to the commission, in accordance with regulations promulgated under subsection (d) of this Code section, of such subscriber's objection to receiving telephone solicitations.
(d)(1) The commission shall establish and provide for the operation of a data base to compile a list of telephone numbers of residential, mobile, and wireless subscribers who object to receiving telephone solicitations. It shall be the duty of the commission to have such data base in operation no later than January 1, 1999.
(2) Such data base may be operated by the commission or by another entity selected by and awarded a contract by the commission.
(3) No later than January 1, 1999, the commission shall promulgate regulations which:
(A) Require each local exchange company to inform its residential, mobile, or wireless subscribers of the opportunity to provide notification to the commission or its contractor that such subscriber objects to receiving telephone solicitations;
(B) Specify the methods by which each residential, mobile, or wireless subscriber may give notice to the commission or its contractor of his or her objection to receiving such solicitations and methods for revocation of such notice;
(C) Specify the length of time for which a notice of objection shall be effective and the effect of a change of telephone number on such notice;
(D) Specify the methods by which such objections and revocations shall be collected and added to the data base;
(E) Specify the methods by which any person or entity desiring to make telephone solicitations will obtain access to the data base as required to avoid calling the telephone numbers of residential, mobile, or wireless subscribers included in the data base; and
(F) Specify such other matters relating to the data base that the commission deems desirable.
(4) If, pursuant to 47 U.S.C. Section 227(c)(3), the Federal Communications Commission establishes a single national data base of telephone numbers of subscribers who object to receiving telephone solicitations, the commission shall include the part of such single national data base that relates to Georgia in the data base established under this Code section.
(e) The commission may provide by rule or regulation for administrative fees to be imposed upon:
(1) A residential, mobile, or wireless subscriber for each notice of inclusion in the data base established under this Code section; provided, however, that the commission shall not set this fee in an amount greater than $5.00; and
(2) A person or entity desiring to make telephone solicitations for access to or for electronic copies of the data base established under this Code section.
(f)(1) Information contained in the data base established under this Code section shall be used only for the purpose of compliance with this Code section or in a proceeding or action under subsection (h) or (i) of this Code section. Such information shall not be subject to public inspection or disclosure under Article 4 of Chapter 18 of Title 50.
(2) No person shall knowingly compile or disseminate or compile and disseminate information obtained from the data base for any reason other than those legitimate purposes established by law. Any person found guilty of violating this subsection shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be punished by a fine not to exceed $1,000.00. Each instance of an unauthorized disclosure of information from the data base shall constitute a separate offense.
(g)(1) Any person or entity who makes a telephone solicitation to the telephone line of any residential, mobile, or wireless subscriber in this state shall, at the beginning of such call, state clearly the identity of the person or entity initiating the call.
(2) No person or entity who makes a telephone solicitation to the telephone line of a residential, mobile, or wireless subscriber in this state shall knowingly utilize any method to block or otherwise circumvent such subscriber's use of a caller identification service.
(h) The Attorney General shall have authority to initiate proceedings, pursuant to Code Section 10-1-397, relating to a knowing violation or threatened knowing violation of subsection (c) or (g) of this Code section. Such proceedings include without limitation proceedings to issue a cease and desist order, to issue an order imposing a civil penalty up to a maximum of $2,000.00 for each knowing violation, and to seek additional relief in any superior court of competent jurisdiction. Such actions shall be brought in the name of the state. The provisions of Code Sections 10-1-398, 10-1-398.1, and 10-1-405 shall apply to proceedings initiated by the Attorney General under this subsection. The Attorney General is authorized to issue investigative demands, issue subpoenas, administer oaths, and conduct hearings in the course of investigating a violation of subsection (c) or (g) of this Code section, in accordance with the provisions of Code Sections 10-1-403 and 10-1-404.
(i) Any person who has received more than one telephone solicitation within any 12 month period by or on behalf of the same person or entity in violation of subsection (c) or (g) of this Code section may either bring an action to enjoin such violation; bring an action to recover for actual monetary loss from such knowing violation or to receive up to $2,000.00 in damages for each such knowing violation, whichever is greater; or bring both such actions.
(j) It shall be a defense in any action or proceeding brought under subsection (h) or (i) of this Code section that the defendant has established and implemented, with due care, reasonable practices and procedures to effectively prevent telephone solicitations in violation of this Code section.
(k) No action or proceeding may be brought under subsection (h) or (i) of this Code section:
(1) More than two years after the person bringing the action knew or should have known of the occurrence of the alleged violation; or
(2) More than two years after the termination of any proceeding or action by the State of Georgia, whichever is later.
(l) A court of this state may exercise personal jurisdiction over any nonresident or his or her executor or administrator as to an action or proceeding authorized by this Code section in accordance with the provisions of Code Section 9-10-91.
(m) The remedies, duties, prohibitions, and penalties of this Code section are not exclusive and are in addition to all other causes of action, remedies, and penalties provided by law.
(n) No provider of telephone caller identification service shall be held liable for violations of this Code section committed by other persons or entities.
(a) As used in this Code section, the term:
(1) “Service supplier” means a person or entity who provides wireless service to a telephone subscriber.
(2) “Traditional telephone directory” means a telephone directory, in any format, containing a majority of the landline telephone numbers for the given geographic coverage area for that directory.
(3) “Wireless service” means “commercial mobile service” as defined under Section 332(D) of the Federal Telecommunications Act of 1996 (47 U.S.C. Section 157, et seq.), regulations of the Federal Communications Commission, and the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993 (P.L. 103-66) and includes real-time, two-way interconnected voice service which is provided over networks which utilize intelligent switching capability and offer seamless handoff to customers. The term does not include one-way signaling service, data transmission service, nonlocal radio access line service, or a private telecommunications service.
(4) “Wireless telephone data base” means any collection of telephone numbers that identifies the names and telephone numbers of multiple subscribers of one or more service suppliers.
(b) A service supplier or any direct or indirect affiliate or agent of a service supplier providing the name and dialing number of a subscriber for inclusion in any wireless telephone data base which is or will be made publicly available shall not include the dialing number of any wireless service subscriber without first obtaining the express consent of that subscriber. The subscriber's consent shall meet all of the following requirements:
(1) It shall be recorded in oral, electronic, or written form;
(2) It shall be:
(A) A separate document that is not attached to any other document or if it is within another document shall be in a separate section of the document that includes the disclosure;
(B) A separate screen or if it is within another screen shall be in a separate section of the screen that includes the disclosure; or
(C) A sound recording of a discrete verbal confirmation;
(3) It shall be unambiguous and conspicuously disclose that the subscriber is consenting to have the subscriber's dialing number sold or licensed as part of a publicly accessible wireless telephone data base; and
(4) The service supplier must disclose in an unambiguous and conspicuous manner to the wireless customer that upon consent: (A) the customer is agreeing to have his or her wireless number accessed by anyone who utilizes the wireless telephone data base; and (B) if the customer has a rate plan that charges the customer for usage, that calls received as a result, unsolicited or otherwise, will be applied against the subscriber's planned minutes.
(c) A subscriber who provides express consent pursuant to subsection (b) of this Code section may revoke that consent at any time. A service supplier shall comply with the subscriber's request to opt out within a reasonable period of time, not to exceed 60 days.
(d) A subscriber shall not be charged for making the choice to not be listed in a publicly accessible wireless telephone data base.
(e) This Code section does not apply to the provision of telephone numbers to the following parties for the purposes indicated; provided, however, that such parties shall use such telephone numbers solely for the purposes indicated and shall not transfer such telephone numbers to any third party:
(1) Any law enforcement agency, fire protection agency, public health agency, public environmental health agency, city or county emergency services planning agency, or private for-profit agency operating under contract with, and at the direction of, one or more of these agencies, for the exclusive purpose of responding to a 9-1-1 call or communicating an imminent threat to life or property. This information or these records shall not be open to examination for any purpose not directly connected with the administration of the services specified in this paragraph;
(2) A lawful process issued under state or federal law;
(3) A service supplier providing service between service areas for the provision to the subscriber of telephone service between service areas, or third parties for the limited purpose of providing collection and billing services for the service supplier;
(4) A service supplier to effectuate a subscriber's request to transfer the subscriber's assigned telephone number from the subscriber's existing service supplier to a new service supplier;
(5) The commission; or
(6) A traditional telephone directory publisher, for the purposes of publishing a directory in any format, so long as the information was published before July 1, 2005.
(f) Subsequent to July 1, 2005, a traditional telephone directory publisher must obtain the wireless subscriber's recorded oral, electronic, or written consent for the wireless subscriber's name and wireless dialing number to be published in a traditional telephone directory.
(g) No service supplier shall sell or otherwise provide a list of wireless numbers to any telemarketer except that such numbers may be provided to a telemarketer affiliated with the service supplier for the sole purpose of facilitating communication by or on behalf of the service supplier as permitted under subparagraph (b)(3)(B) of Code Section 46-5-27.
(h) Every deliberate violation of this Code section is grounds for a civil suit by the aggrieved subscriber against the service supplier responsible for the violation.
(i) No service supplier shall be subject to criminal or civil liability for the release of customer information as authorized by this Code section.
(a) The General Assembly finds and declares that it is in the public interest to provide telecommunications services to all citizens of this state who, because of physical impairments, particularly hearing and speech impairments, cannot otherwise communicate over the telephone. It is further in the public interest to take advantage of innovative technological uses of telecommunications services to allow for universal access to information by blind and otherwise print disabled citizens of this state.
(b) The commission shall establish, implement, administer, and promote a state-wide single provider dual party relay service operating seven days per week, 24 hours per day, and contract for the administration and operation of such relay service. The commission shall also establish, implement, administer, and promote a state-wide audible universal information access service operating seven days per week and 24 hours per day and shall contract for the administration and operation of such information access service. The commission shall further establish, implement, administer, and promote a telecommunications equipment distribution program and contract for the administration and operation of such program.
(c) The commission shall require all local exchange telephone companies in this state, except those operated by telephone membership corporations, to impose a monthly maintenance surcharge on all residential and business local exchange access facilities. For the purpose of this subsection, “exchange access facility” means the access from a particular telephone subscriber's premise to the telephone system of a local exchange telephone company. “Exchange access facility” includes local exchange company provided access lines, private branch exchange trunks, and centrex network access registers, all as defined by tariffs of telephone companies as approved by the commission. The amount of the surcharge shall be determined by the commission based upon the amount of funding necessary to accomplish the purposes of this Code section and provide the services on an ongoing basis; however, in no case shall the amount exceed 20¢ per month. A maximum of 5¢ of this monthly surcharge per access line shall be utilized for a telecommunications equipment distribution program and a maximum of 1¢ of this monthly surcharge per access line shall be utilized to fund an audible universal information access service. If the projected cost of the operation of the relay service exceeds a monthly surcharge of 15¢ at any time, funding for the telecommunications equipment distribution program and the audible universal information access service shall be reduced by the amount required to fully fund the relay service, under the existing cap of 20¢ for the period of time necessary. No additional fees other than the surcharge authorized by this subsection, if applicable, shall be imposed on any user of such relay or information access service. The local exchange companies shall collect the surcharge from their customers and transfer the moneys collected to a special fund to be held separate from all other funds. The fund shall be used solely for the administration and operation of the relay service, the information access service, and the telecommunications equipment distribution program and for other hearing technology and shall not be imposed, collected, or expended for any other purpose.
(d) The dual party relay system shall protect the privacy of persons to whom relay services are provided and shall require all operators to maintain the confidentiality of all telephone messages. The confidentiality and privacy of persons to whom relay services are provided shall be protected by means of the following:
(1) The relay center shall not maintain any form of permanent copies of messages relayed by their operators or allow the content of telephone messages to be communicated to, or accessible to, nonstaff members;
(2) Persons using the relay services shall not be required to provide any personal identifying information until the party they are calling is on the line, and shall only be required to identify themselves to the extent necessary to fulfill the purpose of their call;
(3) Relay operators shall not leave messages with third parties unless instructed to do so by the person making the call;
(4) Relay operators shall not intentionally alter a relayed conversation; and
(5) Relay operators shall not refuse calls or limit the length of calls.
(e) Neither the commission nor the providers of the dual party relay system service or the audible universal information access service nor, except in cases of willful misconduct, gross negligence, or bad faith, the employees of the providers of the dual party relay system service or the audible universal information access service shall be liable for any claims, actions, damages, or causes of action arising out of or resulting from the establishment, participation in, or operation of the dual party relay system service or the audible universal information access service.
(f) The commission shall select the telecommunications carrier which shall provide the relay system service and award the contract for this service to the offerer whose proposal is the most advantageous to the state, considering price, the interests of the hearing impaired and speech impaired community in having access to a high quality and technologically advanced telecommunications system, and all other factors listed in the commission's request for proposals.
(g) The commission shall select the service provider which shall provide and manage the audible universal information access service and shall award the contract for this service to the offerer whose proposal is the most advantageous to the state, considering price, the interests of the blind and print disabled community in having access to a high quality and technologically advanced interactive audible universal information access system, the maintenance of such system, the training provided on the use of such service, outreach efforts, and all other factors listed in the commission's request for proposals.
(h) The commission shall select a distribution agency to manage the telecommunications equipment distribution program and award the contract for this service to the offerer whose proposal is the most advantageous to the state, considering price, the interests of the hearing impaired and speech impaired community in obtaining appropriate and effective telecommunications equipment, the training of recipients on the use of telecommunications devices, outreach efforts, and all other factors listed in the commission's request for proposals. The telecommunications equipment distributed as part of the telecommunications equipment distribution program may include wireless devices and applications.
(i) The commission shall establish guidelines for eligibility for participation in the telecommunications equipment distribution program, taking into consideration a person's certified medical need and prohibiting distribution of telecommunications equipment to any person whose income exceeds 200 percent of the federal poverty level. The commission shall utilize appropriate external expertise, as necessary, to establish these guidelines, including contracting with public agencies or private entities. Funding for any such contracts shall be covered by the $0.05 portion of the monthly surcharge utilized for the telecommunications equipment distribution program.
(j) The commission shall establish eligibility guidelines for participation in the audible universal information access service, taking into account a person's certified medical need. The commission shall utilize appropriate external expertise, as necessary, to establish these guidelines, including contracting with public agencies or private entities. Funding for such contracts shall be covered by the 1¢ portion of the monthly surcharge utilized for the audible universal information access service.
(k) The commission shall establish a telecommunications equipment distribution program advisory committee to provide input on program operation and the types of equipment to be, and being, distributed by the program. The commission shall select the equipment to be distributed by the program and shall incorporate this selection into the commission's request for proposals for a distribution agency.
(a) Long-distance and all other applicable rates and charges, including the surcharge required by this part, shall apply to the users of the dual party relay system in the same manner as all other telephone subscribers, but no additional charges may be imposed for the use of the relay system. Local exchange telephone companies shall be compensated for any collection, inquiry, or other administrative services provided by said companies in conjunction with the operation of the dual party relay system.
(b) The surcharge created by this part and collected by the local exchange telephone companies is not includable in gross receipts subject to franchise tax allowed pursuant to Code Section 36-34-2 or subject to the sales and use taxes levied under Chapter 8 of Title 48.
As used in this part, the term “person” means:
(1) Any corporation, company, firm, association, or individual owning, leasing, or operating a public telephone service or telephone line in this state; and
(2) Any cooperative nonprofit membership corporation or limited dividend or mutual association, with respect to that part or portion of its operations devoted to the furnishing of telephone service within this state.
No person shall construct or operate any telephone line, plant, or system or any extension thereof or acquire ownership or control thereof, either directly or indirectly, without first obtaining from the Public Service Commission a certificate that the present or future public convenience and necessity require or will require such construction, operation, or acquisition.
If any person, in constructing or extending his telephone line, plant, or system, unreasonably interferes or is about to interfere unreasonably with any line, plant, system, or service of any other person, the commission, on its own initiative or on the complaint of any person claiming to be injuriously affected, may, after a hearing conducted after the giving of reasonable notice, make such order and prescribe such terms and conditions with respect thereto as are just and reasonable.
The application for any certificate of public convenience and necessity provided for in Code Section 46-5-41 shall be made under such rules and regulations as the commission may from time to time prescribe. Upon the receipt of any such application for such certificate, the commission shall cause notice thereof to be given by mail or by personal service to the chief executive officer of the municipalities affected, if any, and to any person occupying the territory affected, and shall publish such notice once a week for three consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in each territory affected.
The commission shall have power, after a hearing, either to issue the certificate of public convenience and necessity as prayed for, to refuse to issue the same, or to issue it for the construction, operation, or acquisition of only a portion of the contemplated line, plant, or system or extension thereof.
Whenever any person is engaged in or is about to engage in the construction, operation, or acquisition of any telephone line, plant, or system without having secured a certificate of public convenience and necessity as required by Code Section 46-5-41, any interested person may file a complaint with the commission. The commission may, with or without notice, make its order requiring the person complained of to cease and desist from such construction, operation, or acquisition until the commission makes and files its decision on the complaint or until the further order of the commission. The commission may, after a hearing conducted after the giving of reasonable notice, make such order and prescribe such terms and conditions with respect thereto as are just and reasonable.
This part may be cited as the “Rural Telephone Cooperative Act.”
Cooperative nonprofit corporations may be organized under this part for the purpose of furnishing telephone service in rural areas to the widest practicable number of users of such service. In addition to furnishing telephone service, such cooperative nonprofit corporations may also furnish broadband services directly or indirectly through a contractual arrangement or through a broadband affiliate.
As used in this part, the term:
(.1) “Broadband affiliate” means any person which directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control of one or more cooperatives and which is used to provide broadband services.
(.2) “Broadband services” means a wired or wireless service that consists of the capability to transmit data to and from end users and in combination with such service provides:
(A) Access to the internet; or
(B) Computer processing, information storage, or protocol conversion.
Such term shall include any facilities and equipment associated with such a service and any application or information content to be provided over such a service.
(1) “Cooperative” means any corporation organized under this part or which becomes subject to this part.
(2) “Person” means any natural person, firm, association, corporation, business trust, or partnership.
(3) “Rural area” means any area within this state which is located outside:
(A) The boundaries of an incorporated or unincorporated city, town, village, or borough having a population in excess of 15,000 inhabitants according to the last preceding federal census; and
(B) Any suburban or populated area contiguous to the boundaries of any such city, town, village, or borough, which area has a common economic, social, or administrative interest with any such city, town, village, or borough.
(4) “Telephone company” means any natural person, firm, association, corporation, partnership, cooperative nonprofit membership corporation, or limited dividend or mutual association owning, leasing, or operating any line, facility, or system used in the furnishing of telephone service within this state.
(5) “Telephone service” means any communication service whereby voice communication through the use of electricity and wire connections between the transmitting and receiving apparatus is the principal intended use thereof. This term shall include all telephone lines, facilities, or systems used in the rendition of such service.
A cooperative shall have power:
(1) To sue and be sued in its corporate name;
(2) To have an initial existence for a term of 50 years with right of renewal for one or more like terms unless a shorter term is stated in the articles of incorporation;
(3) To adopt a corporate seal and alter the same;
(4) To furnish, improve, and expand telephone service in rural areas to its members, to governmental agencies and political subdivisions, and to other persons not in excess of 10 percent of the number of its members; provided, however, that, without regard to this 10 percent limitation, telephone service may be made available by a cooperative through interconnection of facilities to any number of subscribers of other telephone systems and through pay stations to any number of users; provided, further, that a cooperative which acquires existing telephone facilities in rural areas may continue service to persons, not in excess of 40 percent of the number of its members, who are already receiving service from such facilities without requiring such persons to become members; but such persons may become members upon such terms as may be prescribed in the bylaws; provided, further, that no cooperative shall furnish any telephone service in any area or territory professed to be served by any other telephone company unless such telephone company is unable or unwilling to furnish or extend reasonably adequate telephone service in such area or territory;
(4.1) To furnish, improve, and expand broadband services. Such broadband services may be furnished separately from telephone service or in conjunction with telephone service and may be furnished in areas that are the same or in areas that are different from those to which the cooperative furnishes telephone service; provided, however, that unless otherwise provided in Code Section 46-5-167, none of the costs of providing broadband services shall be eligible for recovery from the Universal Access Fund provided for in Code Section 46-5-167;
(4.2) To apply for, accept, repay, and utilize loans, grants, and other financing from any person or from the federal government or any state, or any department or agency thereof, to assist such cooperative or its broadband affiliate in the planning, engineering, construction, extension, provision, operation, repair, and maintenance of broadband services;
(4.3) To enter into contracts, agreements, partnerships, or other types of business relationships with any person or with the federal government or any state or local government, or any department or agency thereof, to assist such cooperative or its broadband affiliate in the planning, engineering, construction, extension, provision, operation, repair, and maintenance of broadband services;
(5) To construct, purchase, lease as lessee, or otherwise acquire; to improve, expand, install, equip, maintain, and operate; and to sell, assign, convey, lease as lessor, mortgage, pledge, or otherwise dispose of or encumber telephone lines, facilities, systems, lands, buildings, structures, plants, equipment, exchanges, and any other real or personal property, whether tangible or intangible, which shall be deemed necessary, convenient, or appropriate to accomplish the purpose for which the cooperative is organized, provided that no cooperative shall construct, purchase, lease as lessee, take, receive, or otherwise acquire, improve, expand, install, equip, maintain, or operate any telephone lines, facilities, systems, lands, buildings, structures, plants, equipment, exchanges, or any other real or personal property, whether tangible or intangible, within (A) the boundaries of any incorporated or unincorporated city, town, village, or borough within this state having a population in excess of 15,000 inhabitants according to the last preceding federal census, and (B) any suburban or populated area contiguous to the boundaries of any such city, town, village, or borough having a common economic, social, or administrative interest within any such city, town, village, or borough;
(6) To connect and interconnect its telephone lines, facilities, or systems with other telephone lines, facilities, or systems, provided that any such connection or interconnection shall be in such manner and according to such specifications as will avoid interference with or hazards to existing telephone lines, facilities, or systems;
(7) To make its facilities available to persons furnishing telephone service within or without this state;
(8) To purchase, lease as lessee, or otherwise acquire; to use and exercise; and to sell, assign, convey, mortgage, pledge, or otherwise dispose of or encumber franchises, rights, privileges, licenses, and easements;
(9) To issue membership certificates and nonvoting shares of stock as provided in this part;
(10) To borrow money and otherwise contract indebtedness; to issue or guarantee notes, bonds, and other evidences of indebtedness; and to secure the payment thereof by mortgage, pledge, deed of trust, security deed, or any other encumbrance upon any or all of its then-owned or after-acquired real or personal property, assets, franchises, or revenues;
(11) To construct, maintain, and operate telephone lines along, upon, under, and across publicly owned lands and public thoroughfares, including all roads, highways, streets, alleys, bridges, and causeways, provided that the construction, maintenance, and operation of telephone lines along, upon, under, and across publicly owned lands and public thoroughfares, including all roads, highways, streets, alleys, bridges, and causeways, shall be conditioned upon first having obtained the consent and permission of the governmental authority affected and shall be under such terms and conditions as may be promulgated by that governmental authority;
(12) To exercise the power of eminent domain in the manner provided by Title 22 for the exercise of such power by other corporations constructing or operating telephone lines, facilities, or systems;
(13) To become a member of other cooperatives or corporations or to own stock therein;
(14) To conduct its business and exercise its powers within or without this state;
(15) To adopt, amend, and repeal bylaws;
(16) To make any and all contracts necessary, convenient, or appropriate for the full exercise of the powers granted by this part; and
(17) To do and perform any other acts and things and to have and exercise any other powers which may be necessary, convenient, or appropriate to accomplish the purpose for which the cooperative is organized.
The superior court shall have power, by compliance with this part, to create cooperatives, to approve amendments to articles of incorporation of cooperatives, to approve articles of conversion and combined articles of consolidation and conversion of existing corporations proposing to become subject to this part, to approve articles of consolidation of cooperatives, to approve articles of merger of cooperatives, and to approve articles of dissolution of cooperatives. The judges of the superior court are authorized and empowered to make orders and decrees pursuant to this part in vacation at chambers in the county where the application for such order or decree is pending or in any county forming a part of the judicial circuit in which the application is pending, in the same manner and as fully and amply as the said judges could do in term time.
(a) Venue in proceedings against a cooperative shall be determined in accordance with the Constitution of Georgia and this Code section.
(b) Unless otherwise required by the Constitution of Georgia, a cooperative may be sued only in the county of its residence, as described below:
(1) Each cooperative authorized to transact business in this state shall be deemed to reside in the county where its registered office is maintained. If any such cooperative fails to maintain a registered office, it shall be deemed to reside in the county in this state where its last named registered office or principal office, as shown by the records of the Secretary of State, was maintained;
(2) Each cooperative authorized to transact business in this state shall be deemed to reside and may be sued on contracts in the county in which the contract sought to be enforced was made or is to be performed, if it has an office and transacts business in that county; or
(3) Each cooperative authorized to transact business in this state shall be deemed to reside, and may be sued for damages because of torts, wrong, or injury done, in the county where the cause of action originated, if it has an office and transacts business in that county.
(a) The name of the cooperative shall include the words “Telephone” and “Cooperative,” and the abbreviation “Inc.” unless:
(1) In an affidavit made by its president and vice-president and filed with the clerk of the superior court of the county in which the principal office of the cooperative is located and with the Secretary of State; or
(2) In an affidavit made by a person signing articles of incorporation, consolidation, merger, or conversion, which relate to such cooperative, and presented concurrently with the presentation for approval of any such articles to the superior court or a judge thereof and filed with the Secretary of State
it shall appear that the cooperative desires to do business in another state and is or would be precluded therefrom by reason of the inclusion of such words or either thereof in its name.
(b) This Code section shall not apply to any corporation which becomes subject to this part by complying with Code Section 46-5-90 or which does business in this state pursuant to Code Section 46-5-99 and which elects to retain a corporate name which does not comply with this Code section.
Five or more persons, including cooperatives, may organize a cooperative in the manner provided in this part.
(a) Articles of incorporation of a cooperative shall recite that they are executed pursuant to this part; shall state the name of the cooperative, the address of its principal office, the names and addresses of the incorporators, and the names and addresses of its trustees; and may contain any provisions, not inconsistent with this part, which are deemed necessary or advisable for the conduct of its business, including provisions for the issuance of nonvoting shares of stock as provided in this Code section.
(b) Such articles shall be signed by each incorporator and acknowledged by at least two of the incorporators. If the incorporators are cooperatives, the articles shall be signed by representatives of each cooperative and acknowledged by representatives of at least two cooperatives.
(c) It shall not be necessary to recite in the articles of incorporation of a cooperative the purpose for which it is organized or any of its corporate powers.
(d) If a cooperative desires to issue nonvoting shares of stock, its articles of incorporation shall state:
(1) The total number of such shares of stock which may be issued and the par value of each share;
(2) The fixed or maximum rate of dividends on the par value of such shares of stock, in either case not exceeding 4 percent per annum, and whether dividends shall be cumulative or noncumulative;
(3) Whether such shares of stock may be issued to members only or to members and nonmembers;
(4) The maximum number of such shares of stock which may be owned by any person; and
(5) The terms and conditions on which such shares of stock may be transferred, redeemed, and retired.
The articles of incorporation, executed and acknowledged in accordance with Code Section 46-5-67, shall be presented, by application signed by two of the persons who signed the articles of incorporation, to the superior court of the county in which the principal office of the cooperative is to be located, or to the judge of the superior court of that county in vacation, or in the event that the judge of the superior court of said county is absent from the circuit, disqualified, or for illness or other reason cannot act in the premises, then to any judge of the superior court of this state. The application shall be accompanied by a certificate of the Secretary of State declaring that the name of the proposed cooperative is not the name of any other then existing corporation registered in the records of the Secretary of State, and by such affidavits as may be required by applicable provisions of this part.
Upon presentation of the articles of incorporation to the superior court, or to the judge of the superior court, the judge shall examine the same and if it shall appear to the judge that the articles of incorporation are legitimately within the purview and intention of the laws of this state, the judge shall pass an order approving the articles of incorporation. The application, including the articles of incorporation and the order thereon, shall constitute the charter of the cooperative named therein.
The applicants shall file the application, including the articles of incorporation and the order of the judge thereon, in the office of the clerk of the superior court of the county in which the principal office of the cooperative is to be located.
The applicants shall submit to the clerk, along with the articles of incorporation, an affidavit signed by the duly authorized agent or publisher of a newspaper having general circulation in the county where the principal office of the cooperative is to be located, which affidavit shall state that there has been deposited with the newspaper the cost of publishing the articles of incorporation and the order of the judge thereon once a week for four weeks.
The first of said advertisements shall appear within one week after the filing of the articles of incorporation as provided in Code Section 46-5-70 unless otherwise ordered by the court. It shall not be necessary that any of the advertisements appear prior to the granting of the charter by the judge.
Upon the filing of the articles of incorporation and the order of the judge thereon with the clerk of the superior court, the clerk shall forthwith deliver to the applicants or their attorney two certified copies of the articles of incorporation and the order of the judge and the filing of the clerk thereon.
Upon receiving the two certified copies of the articles of incorporation and the order of the judge thereon, the applicants or their attorney shall present the same to the Secretary of State for registration and recordation and shall concurrently therewith pay to the Secretary of State for the use of the state the fee provided for in Code Section 46-5-100.
The Secretary of State shall thereupon attach to one of the certified copies of the articles of incorporation with order of the judge thereon, which articles of incorporation with the order of the judge thereon constitute the charter of the corporation as granted by the superior court, a certificate in substantially the following form:
State of Georgia
Office of the Secretary of State
Ex Officio Corporation Commissioner
This is to certify that _____ (the name of the corporation) has been duly incorporated under the laws of the State of Georgia, on the _____ day of _____, _____, for a period of _____ years from said date, in accordance with the certified copy hereto attached, and that a certified copy of the articles of incorporation constituting the charter of said corporation has duly been filed in the office of the Secretary of State and the fees therefor paid, as provided by law.
Witness my hand and official seal, this _____ day of _____, _____.
| | _________________________________________________ | | --- | --- | | | Secretary of State, Ex Officio | | | Corporation Commissioner of the | | | State of Georgia |
Such certified copies of the charter, together with the certificate of the Secretary of State thereon, shall be received as evidence in any court or proceeding as evidence of the incorporation of the cooperative and of the nature and contents of its charter.
The corporate existence of the cooperative shall begin at the time of the filing of the articles of incorporation, with the judge's order thereon, with the clerk of the superior court, but the cooperative shall not be licensed to transact any business until it shall have received the certificate from the Secretary of State in the manner prescribed in Code Section 46-5-75.
The board of directors shall adopt the first bylaws of a cooperative to be adopted following an incorporation, conversion, combined consolidation and conversion, merger, or consolidation. Thereafter, the board of directors shall have the power to alter, amend, or repeal the bylaws, or adopt new bylaws, unless such power is reserved exclusively to the members of the cooperative by this part, the articles of incorporation, or bylaws previously adopted by the members; provided, however, that any bylaws adopted by the board of directors may be altered, amended, or repealed and new bylaws may be adopted by the members. The members may prescribe that any bylaws adopted by them shall not be altered, amended, or repealed by the board of directors. The members may adopt, amend, or repeal the bylaws by the affirmative vote of a majority of those members voting thereon at a meeting of the members. The bylaws shall set forth the rights and duties of members, directors, and shareholders, if any, and may contain other provisions for the regulation and management of the affairs of the cooperative not inconsistent with this part or with its articles of incorporation.
(a) Each incorporator of a cooperative shall be a member thereof, but no other person may become a member thereof unless he agrees to use telephone service furnished by the cooperative when it is made available through its facilities. Membership in a cooperative shall be evidenced by a certificate of membership, which shall not be transferable, except as provided in the bylaws. The bylaws may prescribe additional qualifications and limitations in respect of membership, provided that ownership of shares of stock, if any are authorized, shall not be a condition of membership in the cooperative.
(b) If the issuance of shares of stock is provided for in the articles of incorporation, ownership of such shares shall be evidenced by share certificates. No share of stock shall be issued except for cash, or for property at its fair value, in an amount equal to the par value of such share of stock.
(c) Membership and share certificates shall contain such provisions, consistent with this part and the articles of incorporation of the cooperative, as shall be prescribed by its bylaws.
(a) An annual meeting of the members of a cooperative shall be held at such time and place as shall be provided in the bylaws.
(b) Special meetings of the members may be called by the president, by the board of directors, by any three directors, or by not less than 200 members or 10 percent of all members, whichever is less.
(c) Except as otherwise provided in this part, written or printed notice stating the time and place of each meeting of the members and, in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called, shall be given to each member, either personally or by mail, not less than ten days nor more than 25 days before the date of the meeting. If mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be given when deposited in the United States mail with postage prepaid, addressed to the member at his address as it appears on the records of the cooperative.
(d) Unless the bylaws prescribe the presence of a greater percentage or number of the members for a quorum, a quorum for the transaction of business at all meetings of the members of a cooperative having not more than 500 members shall be 10 percent of all members present in person. A quorum for a cooperative having more than 500 members shall be 50 members or 2 percent of all members, whichever is greater, present in person. If less than a quorum is present at any meeting, a majority of those present in person may adjourn the meeting to another time without the giving of notice of such later meeting to absent members.
(e) Each member shall be entitled to one vote on each matter submitted to a vote at a meeting of the members. Voting shall be in person, but, if the bylaws so provide, may also be by mail.
Any person entitled to notice of a meeting may waive such notice in writing either before or after such meeting. If any such person attends such meeting, such attendance shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, unless such person participates therein solely to object to the transaction of any business because the meeting has not been legally called or convened.
(a) The business of a cooperative shall be managed by a board of not less than five directors, each of whom shall be a member of the cooperative or of another cooperative which is a member thereof. The bylaws shall prescribe the number of directors, their qualifications, other than those prescribed in this part, the manner of holding meetings of the board of directors and of electing successors to directors who resign, die, or otherwise become incapable of acting. The bylaws may also provide for the removal of directors from office and for the election of their successors. Directors shall not receive any salaries for their services as such and, except in emergencies, shall not receive any salaries for their services in any other capacity without the approval of the members. The bylaws may, however, prescribe a fixed fee for attendance at each meeting of the board of directors and may provide for reimbursement of actual expenses of attendance.
(b) The directors of a cooperative named in any articles of incorporation, consolidation, merger, conversion, or combined consolidation and conversion shall hold office until the next annual meeting of the members and until their successors are elected and qualify. At each annual meeting, or, in case of failure to hold the annual meeting as specified in the bylaws, at a special meeting called for that purpose, the members shall elect directors to hold office until the next annual meeting of the members, except as otherwise provided in this part. Each director shall hold office for the term for which he is elected and until his successor is elected and qualifies.
(c) Instead of electing all the directors annually, the bylaws may provide that half of them, or a number as near thereto as possible, shall be elected to serve until the next annual meeting of the members and that the remaining directors shall be elected to serve until the second succeeding annual meeting. Thereafter, as directors' terms expire, the members shall elect their successors to serve until the second succeeding annual meeting after their election. Instead of electing all of the directors annually or biannually, the bylaws may provide that one-third of them, or a number as near thereto as possible, shall be elected to serve until the next annual meeting of the members, that one-third shall be elected to serve until the second succeeding annual meeting of the members, and that the remaining directors shall be elected to serve until the third succeeding annual meeting. Thereafter, as directors' terms expire, the members shall elect their successors to serve until the third succeeding annual meeting after their election.
(d) A majority of the board of directors shall constitute a quorum.
(e) The board of directors may exercise all of the powers of a cooperative not conferred upon the members by this part, or by its articles of incorporation or bylaws.
The bylaws may provide for the division of the territory served or to be served by a cooperative into two or more districts for any purpose, including, without limitation, the nomination and election of directors and the election and functioning of district delegates. Such delegates, who shall be members, may nominate and elect directors. The bylaws shall prescribe the boundaries of the districts or the manner of establishing such boundaries, the manner of changing such boundaries, and the manner in which such districts shall function. No member at any district meeting, and no district delegate at any meeting, shall vote by proxy or by mail.
The officers of a cooperative shall consist of a president, vice-president, secretary, and treasurer, who shall be elected annually by and from the board of directors. When a person holding any such office ceases to be a director, he shall cease to hold such office. The offices of secretary and of treasurer may be held by the same person. The board of directors may also elect or appoint such other officers, agents, or employees as it deems necessary or advisable and shall prescribe their powers and duties. Any officer may be removed from office and his successor elected in the manner prescribed in the bylaws.
(a) A cooperative may amend its articles of incorporation by complying with the requirements of this Code section, provided that a change of location of principal office may be effected in the manner set forth in Code Section 46-5-86.
(b) The proposed amendment shall be presented to a meeting of the members, the notice of which shall set forth or have attached thereto the proposed amendment. If the proposed amendment, with any changes, is approved by the affirmative vote of not less than two-thirds of those members voting thereon at such meeting, articles of amendment shall be executed and acknowledged on behalf of the cooperative by its president or vice-president, and its seal shall be affixed thereto and attested by its secretary.
(c) The articles of amendment shall recite that they are executed pursuant to this part and shall state:
(1) The name of the cooperative;
(2) The address of its principal office; and
(3) The amendment to its articles of incorporation.
(d) The president or vice-president executing such articles of amendment shall make and annex thereto an affidavit stating that the provisions of this Code section in regard to the amendment set forth in such articles were duly complied with.
(e) An application for approval of the articles of amendment, which application shall include such articles and the prescribed affidavits and which shall be signed and acknowledged by the president or vice-president of the cooperative, shall be presented to and approved by the superior court, or the judge thereof in vacation, filed with the clerk of the superior court of the county in which the principal office of the cooperative is located and with the Secretary of State, and published, in the same manner as an application for incorporation. The fees to be paid at the time of such filing shall be as prescribed in Code Section 46-5-100. Upon such filing, the amendment shall be deemed to be effective.
A cooperative may, upon authorization of its members or board of directors, change the location of its principal office by compliance with the requirements of this Code section. An application for approval of such change shall be presented to and approved by the superior court of the county in which the principal office of the cooperative is to be located, or to the judge of the superior court in vacation. Upon approval, the application and approval shall be filed with the clerk of the superior court of that county and with the Secretary of State and shall be published in the same manner as an application for incorporation. The application, together with the approval of the judge thereon, shall also be filed with the clerk of the superior court of each county in which the principal office of the cooperative has previously been located. The fees to be paid at the time of such filing shall be as prescribed in Code Section 46-5-100.
Any two or more cooperatives (each of which is designated in this Code section as a “consolidating cooperative”) may consolidate into a new cooperative (designated in this Code section as the “new cooperative”) by complying with the following requirements:
(1) The proposition for the consolidation of the consolidating cooperatives into the new cooperative, along with proposed articles of consolidation to give effect thereto, shall be submitted to a meeting of the members of each consolidating cooperative, the notice of which shall have attached thereto a copy of the proposed articles of consolidation;
(2) If the proposed consolidation and the proposed articles of consolidation, with any amendments, are approved by the affirmative vote of not less than two-thirds of those members of each consolidating cooperative voting thereon at each such meeting, articles of consolidation in the form approved shall be executed and acknowledged on behalf of each consolidating cooperative by its president or vice-president, and its seal shall be affixed thereto and attested by its secretary. The articles of consolidation shall recite that they are executed pursuant to this part and shall state:
(A) The name of each consolidating cooperative and the address of its principal office;
(B) The name of the new cooperative and the address of its principal office;
(C) That each consolidating cooperative agrees to the consolidation;
(D) The names and addresses of the directors of the new cooperative; and
(E) The terms and conditions of the consolidation and the mode of carrying the same into effect, including the manner in which members and shareholders, if any, of the consolidating cooperatives may or shall become members and shareholders, respectively, of the new cooperative.
In addition, the articles of consolidation may contain any provisions, not inconsistent with this part, deemed necessary or advisable for the conduct of the business of the new cooperative. The president or vice-president of each consolidating cooperative executing such articles of consolidation shall make and annex thereto an affidavit stating that the preceding provisions of this Code section in regard to such articles were duly complied with by such cooperative;
(3) An application for approval of the articles of consolidation, including such articles and the prescribed affidavits, signed and acknowledged by the president or vice-president of each consolidating cooperative, shall be presented to and approved by the superior court, or the judge thereof in vacation, filed with the clerk of the superior court of the county in which the principal office of the new cooperative is to be located and with the Secretary of State, and published in the same manner as an application for incorporation. The fees to be paid at the time of such filing shall be as prescribed in Code Section 46-5-100. Upon such filing, the consolidation shall be deemed to be effective.
Any one or more cooperatives (each of which is designated in this Code section as a “merging cooperative”) may merge into another cooperative (designated in this Code section as the “surviving cooperative”) by complying with the following requirements:
(1) The proposition for the merger of the merging cooperatives into the surviving cooperative, along with proposed articles of merger to give effect thereto, shall be submitted to a meeting of the members of each merging cooperative and of the surviving cooperative, the notice of which shall have attached thereto a copy of the proposed articles of merger;
(2) If the proposed merger and the proposed articles of merger, with any amendments, are approved by the affirmative vote of not less than two-thirds of those members of each cooperative voting thereon at each such meeting, articles of merger in the form approved shall be executed and acknowledged on behalf of each such cooperative by its president or vice-president, and its seal shall be affixed thereto and attested by its secretary. The articles of merger shall recite that they are executed pursuant to this part and shall state:
(A) The name of each merging cooperative and the address of its principal office;
(B) The name of the surviving cooperative and the address of its principal office;
(C) That each merging cooperative and the surviving cooperative agree to the merger;
(D) The names and addresses of the directors of the surviving cooperative; and
(E) The terms and conditions of the merger and the mode of carrying the same into effect, including the manner in which members and shareholders, if any, of the merging cooperatives may or shall become members and shareholders, respectively, of the surviving cooperative.
In addition, the articles of merger may contain any provisions, not inconsistent with this part, deemed necessary or advisable for the conduct of the business of the surviving cooperative. The president or vice-president of each cooperative executing such articles of merger shall make and annex thereto an affidavit stating that the preceding provisions of this Code section in regard to such articles were duly complied with by such cooperative;
(3) An application for approval of the articles of merger, including such articles and the prescribed affidavits, signed and acknowledged by the president or vice-president of each merging cooperative, shall be presented to and approved by the superior court, filed with the clerk of the superior court of the county in which the principal office of the surviving cooperative is located and with the Secretary of State, and published in the same manner as an application for incorporation. The fees to be paid at the time of such filing shall be as prescribed in Code Section 46-5-100. Upon such filing, the merger shall be deemed to be effective.
(a) In the case of a consolidation, the existence of the consolidating cooperatives shall cease, and the articles of consolidation shall be deemed to be the articles of incorporation of the new cooperative. In the case of a merger, the separate existence of the merging cooperatives shall cease and the articles of incorporation of the surviving cooperative shall be deemed to be amended to the extent, if any, that changes therein are provided for in the articles of merger.
(b) All the rights, privileges, immunities, and franchises, and all property, both real and personal, including, without limitation, applications for membership, all debts due on whatever account, and all other choses in action of each of the consolidating or merging cooperatives shall be deemed to be transferred to and vested in the new or surviving cooperative without further act or deed.
(c) The new or surviving cooperative shall be responsible and liable for all the liabilities and obligations of each of the consolidating or merging cooperatives; and any claim existing, or any action or proceeding pending, by or against any of the consolidating or merging cooperatives may be prosecuted as if the consolidation or merger had not taken place; but the new or surviving cooperative may be substituted in its place.
(d) Neither the rights of creditors nor any liens upon the property of any of such cooperatives shall be impaired by such consolidation or merger.
(a) Any corporation organized under the laws of this state and furnishing or having the corporate power to furnish telephone service may be converted into a cooperative, and shall thereupon become subject to this part, with the same effect as if originally organized under this part, by complying with the following requirements:
(1) The proposition for the conversion of such corporation into a cooperative, along with proposed articles of conversion to give effect thereto, shall be submitted to a meeting of the members or stockholders of such corporation or, in case of a corporation having no members or stockholders, to a meeting of the incorporators of such corporation, the notice of which shall have attached thereto a copy of the proposed articles of conversion;
(2) If the proposition for the conversion of such corporation into a cooperative and the proposed articles of conversion, with any amendments, are approved by the affirmative vote of not less than two-thirds of those members of such corporation voting thereon at such meeting, or, if such corporation is a stock corporation, by the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than two-thirds of those shares of the capital stock of such corporation represented at such meeting and voting thereon, or, in the case of a corporation having no members and no shares of its capital stock outstanding, by the affirmative vote of not less than two-thirds of its incorporators, then articles of conversion in the form approved shall be executed and acknowledged on behalf of such corporation by its president or vice-president, and its seal shall be affixed thereto and attested by its secretary;
(3) The articles of conversion shall recite that they are executed pursuant to this part and shall state:
(A) The name of the corporation and the address of its principal office prior to its conversion into a cooperative;
(B) The statute or statutes under which it was organized;
(C) That such corporation elects to become a nonprofit telephone cooperative subject to this part;
(D) Its name as a cooperative;
(E) The address of the principal office of the cooperative;
(F) The names and addresses of the directors of the cooperative; and
(G) The manner in which members, stockholders, or incorporators of such corporation may or shall become members of the cooperative.
In addition, the articles of conversion may contain any provisions, not inconsistent with this part, deemed necessary or advisable for the conduct of the business of the cooperative, including the provisions for the issuance of nonvoting shares of stock as provided for in Code Section 46-5-67. If the articles of conversion make provision for the issuance of such shares of stock, they shall also state the manner in which members, stockholders, or incorporators of such corporation may or shall become shareholders of the cooperative. The president or vice-president executing such articles of conversion shall make and annex thereto an affidavit stating that the provisions of this Code section were duly complied with in regard to such articles;
(4) The articles of conversion shall be deemed to be the articles of incorporation of the cooperative, and an application for approval thereof, including such articles and the prescribed affidavit, signed and acknowledged by the president or vice-president of the corporation seeking to be converted into a cooperative, shall be presented to and approved by the superior court, or the judge thereof, filed with the clerk of the superior court of the county in which the principal office of the cooperative is to be located and with the Secretary of State, and published in the same manner as an application for original incorporation. The fee to be paid at the time of such filing shall be as described in Code Section 46-5-100. Upon such filing, the conversion shall be deemed to be effective.
(b) Any two or more corporations organized under the laws of this state and furnishing or having the corporate power to furnish telephone service may, if otherwise permitted to consolidate by the laws of this state, consolidate into a cooperative subject to this part, with the same effect as if originally organized under this part, by complying with the following requirements:
(1) The proposition for the consolidation into a cooperative and the proposed articles of consolidation and conversion, with any amendments, shall be approved by each consolidating corporation in accordance with the statute or statutes under which it was organized and in accordance with the provisions of subsection (a) of this Code section;
(2) The articles of consolidation and conversion in the form approved shall be executed, acknowledged, and sealed in the manner prescribed in subsection (a) of this Code section and in the statute or statutes under which the consolidating corporations were organized. The articles of consolidation and conversion shall state that they are executed pursuant to this part and such statute or statutes and that each consolidating corporation elects that the new corporation shall be a cooperative. In addition, the articles of consolidation and conversion shall contain all other information required by such statute or statutes and by paragraph (2) of subsection (a) of this Code section, and may contain any provisions not inconsistent with this part deemed necessary or advisable for the conduct of the business of the cooperative. The president or vice-president executing such articles of consolidation and conversion shall make and annex thereto an affidavit stating that the preceding provisions of this Code section and of the statute or statutes under which the consolidating corporations were organized were duly complied with in regard to such articles. The articles of consolidation and conversion shall be deemed to be the articles of incorporation of the cooperative, and an application for approval thereof, including such articles and the prescribed affidavits, signed and acknowledged by the president or vice-president of each consolidating corporation, shall be presented to and approved by the superior court, filed with the clerk of the superior court of the county in which the principal office of the cooperative is to be located and with the Secretary of State, and published in the same manner as an application for incorporation. The fees to be paid upon such filing shall be as prescribed in Code Section 46-5-100. Upon such filing, the consolidation and conversion shall be deemed to be effective.
(a) A cooperative which has not commenced business may be dissolved by presenting to the superior court of the county where its principal office is located, or to the judge of the superior court in vacation, articles of dissolution which shall be executed and acknowledged on behalf of the cooperative by a majority of the incorporators and which shall state:
(1) The name of the cooperative;
(2) The address of its principal office;
(3) That the cooperative has not commenced business;
(4) That any sums received by the cooperative, less any part thereof disbursed for expenses of the cooperative, have been returned or paid to those entitled thereto;
(5) That no debt of the cooperative is unpaid; and
(6) That a majority of the incorporators elect that the cooperative be dissolved.
The judge shall examine into the facts, and if he shall find the same to be true, he shall pass and enter an order that the cooperative is dissolved. Thereupon, the incorporators shall deliver the articles of dissolution and the order of the judge thereon to the clerk of the superior court of the county where the principal office of the cooperative is located, who, upon payment of the costs as set out in Code Section 46-5-100, shall deliver two certified copies of the articles of dissolution and the order of the judge thereon to the incorporators or their attorney, who shall forthwith deliver one of the copies to the Secretary of State for recording.
(b) A cooperative which has commenced business may be dissolved in the following manner:
(1) The proposition to dissolve shall be submitted to the members of the cooperative at any annual or special meeting, the notice of which shall set forth such proposition. The members at any such meeting shall approve, by the affirmative vote of not less than a majority of all members of the cooperative, the proposition that the cooperative be dissolved. Upon such approval, a certificate of election to dissolve (referred to in this Code section as the “certificate”), executed and acknowledged on behalf of the cooperative by its president or vice-president under its seal, attested by its secretary, and stating the name of the cooperative, the address of its principal office, and that the members of the cooperative have duly voted that the cooperative be dissolved, together with an affidavit made by its president or vice-president executing the certificate and stating that the statements in the certificate are true, shall be attached to a petition to the superior court of the county in which the principal office of the cooperative is located, or to the judge thereof in vacation, who shall examine into the facts alleged in the petition and the certificate; and if he shall find the same to be true and the relief prayed for within the purview and intent of this part, he shall grant the petition by proper order;
(2) Upon the granting of the petition, the certificate and the order of the judge thereon shall be forthwith filed in the office of the clerk of the superior court of the county in which the principal office of the cooperative is located and in the office of the Secretary of State; and the fees for such filing as provided in Code Section 46-5-100 shall be submitted therewith. Upon such filing, the cooperative shall cease to carry on its business except to the extent necessary for the winding up thereof; but its corporate existence shall continue until the final order of dissolution has been made and entered by the judge and filed in the office of the clerk of said county and in the office of the Secretary of State. The board of directors shall, immediately upon the filing of the certificate with the order of the judge thereon in the office of the clerk of the superior court, cause notice of the dissolution proceedings to be mailed to each known creditor of and claimant against the cooperative; and the certificate and the order of the judge thereon shall be published once a week for four consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the county in which the principal office of the cooperative is located. The board of directors shall wind up and settle the affairs of the cooperative; collect sums owing to it; liquidate its property and assets; pay and discharge its debts, obligations, and liabilities, other than those to patrons arising by reason of their patronage; and do all other things required to wind up its business. After paying or discharging or adequately providing for the payment or discharge of all its debts, obligations, and liabilities, other than those to patrons arising by reason of their patronage, the board of directors shall distribute any remaining sums, first, to shareholders, if any, for the pro rata return of the par value of their shares, together with any accrued dividends; second, to patrons for the pro rata return of all amounts standing to their credit by reason of their patronage; and third, to members for the pro rata repayment of membership fees. Any sums then remaining shall be distributed among its members and former members in proportion to their patronage;
(3) After the winding up and settling of the affairs of the cooperative, the board of directors shall authorize the execution of articles of dissolution, which shall be executed and acknowledged on behalf of the cooperative by its president or vice-president; and its seal shall be affixed thereto and attested by its secretary. The articles of dissolution shall recite that they are executed pursuant to this part and shall state:
(A) The name of the cooperative;
(B) The address of its principal office;
(C) The date on which the certificate of election to dissolve and the order of the judge thereon was filed in the office of the clerk of the superior court;
(D) That there are no actions or suits pending against the cooperative;
(E) That all debts, obligations, and liabilities of the cooperative have been paid and discharged or that adequate provision has been made therefor; and
(F) That the preceding provisions of this subsection have been duly complied with.
The president or vice-president executing the articles of dissolution shall make and annex thereto an affidavit stating that the statements made therein are true. An application for final order of dissolution, accompanied by the articles of dissolution and the prescribed affidavit, shall be presented to the superior court of the county in which the principal office of the cooperative is located, or to the judge of the superior court in vacation, who, upon determination that preceding provisions of this subsection have been complied with, shall grant to the cooperative a final order of dissolution. The order shall be filed in the office of the clerk of said county and with the Secretary of State, and upon such filing the dissolution shall be deemed effective. The fees to be paid at the time of the filings provided for in this subsection shall be as prescribed in Code Section 46-5-100.
A cooperative shall be operated on a nonprofit basis for the mutual benefit of its members and patrons. The bylaws of a cooperative or its contracts with members and patrons shall contain such provisions relative to the disposition of revenues and receipts as may be necessary and appropriate to establish and maintain its nonprofit and cooperative character. In the case of a cooperative authorized to issue shares of stock, such bylaws or contracts shall provide that no moneys shall be paid or credits given on the basis of patronage except after the declaration or payment of dividends on the outstanding shares of stock in accordance with the articles of incorporation of the cooperative; and such bylaws or contracts shall otherwise be consistent with the cooperative's obligations in regard to such shares of stock.
(a) Unless the bylaws provide otherwise, upon the death of a member or former member who is a natural person, the board of directors shall have authority, but shall not be required, to pay revenues allocated but not previously paid to such member or former member.
(b) If the member or former member dies testate, such payments shall be made to the person who is the executor of the estate of the decedent at the time of the payment.
(c) If the member or former member dies intestate and the cooperative is provided a copy of letters of administration for the estate of the decedent, such payments shall be made to the administrator of the estate named therein.
(d) If the member or former member dies intestate and the cooperative is not provided a copy of letters of administration of the estate of the deceased and such payment is $2,500.00 or less, such payment shall be made to the persons listed below and according to the priority indicated:
(1) To the surviving spouse of the decedent;
(2) If no surviving spouse, then to the surviving children of the decedent, pro rata;
(3) If no surviving children, then to the surviving mother and father of the decedent, pro rata; or
(4) If no surviving parent, then to the surviving brothers and sisters of the decedent, pro rata.
(e) If the member or former member dies intestate and the cooperative is not provided a copy of the letters of administration and such payment is greater than $2,500.00, such payment shall be made to the person entitled thereto under the laws of descent and distribution of this state.
(f) Payment to the persons listed in subsections (b) through (e) of this Code section shall operate as a complete acquittal and discharge to the cooperative from any action, claim, or demand of whatever nature for the amount so paid by any heir, distributee, or creditor of the decedent or any other person. Payment to such persons is authorized to be made as provided in subsections (d) and (e) of this Code section without the administration of the estate of the decedent and without the necessity of obtaining an order that no administration is necessary.
(a) In order to secure any indebtedness of the cooperative to the United States government or any agency or instrumentality thereof, the board of directors of a cooperative shall have full power and authority, without authorization by the members thereof, to authorize the execution and delivery of mortgages or deeds of trust of, or the pledging or encumbering of, any or all of the property, assets, rights, privileges, licenses, franchises, and permits, wherever situated, of the cooperative, as well as the revenues therefrom, all upon such terms and conditions as the board of directors shall determine. Any such mortgage or deed of trust shall be exempt from any mortgage recordation tax imposed by this state.
(b) A cooperative may not otherwise sell, mortgage, lease, or otherwise dispose of or encumber all or a substantial portion of its property unless such sale, mortgage, lease, or other disposition or encumbrance is authorized by the affirmative vote of not less than two-thirds of all the members of the cooperative, provided that notwithstanding any other provision of this part or any other provision of law, the board of directors may, upon the authorization of a majority of those members of the cooperative present at a meeting of the members thereof, the notice of which shall have set forth the proposed action, sell, lease, or otherwise dispose of all or a substantial portion of its property to another cooperative or a foreign corporation doing business in this state pursuant to this part, or to the holders of any notes, bonds, or other evidences of indebtedness issued to the United States government or any agency or instrumentality thereof.
No member or shareholder shall be liable or responsible for any debts of the cooperative; and the property of the members and shareholders shall not be subject to execution therefor.
Any mortgage, deed of trust, or other instrument executed by a cooperative or foreign corporation doing business in this state pursuant to this part, which mortgage, deed of trust, or other instrument affects real and personal property and which is recorded in the real property records in any county in which such property is located or is to be located, shall have the same force and effect as if the mortgage, deed of trust, or other instrument were also recorded, filed, or indexed as provided by law in the proper office in such county as a mortgage of personal property, provided that such instrument shall be indexed on the chattel mortgage record of the county although recorded already upon the real estate mortgage record. All after-acquired property of such cooperative or foreign corporation, which property is described or referred to as being mortgaged or pledged in any such mortgage, deed of trust, or other instrument, shall become subject to the lien thereof immediately upon the acquisition of such property by such cooperative or foreign corporation, whether or not such property was in existence at the time of the execution of such mortgage, deed of trust, or other instrument. Recordation of any such mortgage, deed of trust, or other instrument shall constitute notice and otherwise have the same effect with respect to such after-acquired property as it has, under the laws relating to recordation, with respect to property owned by such cooperative or foreign corporation at the time of the execution of such mortgage, deed of trust, or other instrument and therein described or referred to as being mortgaged or pledged thereby.
Construction of telephone lines and facilities by a cooperative shall, as a minimum requirement, comply with the standards of the National Electrical Code in effect at the time of such construction and shall be in such manner and according to such specifications as will avoid interference with or hazards to existing telephone lines, facilities, or systems.
All rights of action accruing against any cooperative or any foreign corporation doing business in this state pursuant to this part, which rights of action grow out of the acquisition of rights of way or easements or the occupying of lands of others by the cooperative or foreign corporation, shall be barred at the end of 12 months from the date of the accrual of such cause of action. In cases where any such cooperative or foreign corporation takes possession of the lands of another without having obtained an easement or without having condemned the property and such cooperative or foreign corporation continues to use any such land of another in accordance with the rights and powers granted to the cooperative or foreign corporation by this part, and the owner of such lands takes no legal steps to prevent the occupancy of the lands by the cooperative or foreign corporation, then the rights of the owner of such lands shall be limited to whatever damages may have been caused to his realty by such occupation; and the same shall be barred upon the expiration of six months after such unauthorized occupancy begins.
No person who is authorized to take acknowledgments under the laws of this state shall be disqualified from taking acknowledgments of instruments executed in favor of a cooperative or to which the cooperative is a party, by reason of that person's being an officer, trustee, member, or shareholder of such cooperative.
Any foreign nonprofit or cooperative corporation furnishing or authorized to furnish telephone service and owning or operating telephone lines or facilities in a state adjacent to this state may construct or acquire extensions of such lines in this state and operate such extensions without complying with any statute of this state pertaining to the qualification of foreign corporations for the doing of business in this state. Before constructing or operating such extensions, any such corporation shall designate the Secretary of State as its agent to accept service of process on its behalf, such designation to be effected by an instrument executed and acknowledged on its behalf by its president or vice president under its seal attested by its secretary and filed with the Secretary of State. Thereafter, with respect to its operation in this state, such corporation shall have only the rights, powers, privileges, and immunities of a cooperative organized under this part. In the event any process is served upon the Secretary of State, he shall forthwith forward the same by registered or certified mail or statutory overnight delivery to such corporation at the address thereof specified in the instrument executed pursuant to this Code section.
Each cooperative shall be charged by the Secretary of State the fees specified in Code Section 14-2-122 for the filing of documents and issuance of certificates.
Each cooperative and each foreign corporation doing business in this state pursuant to this part shall pay annually, on or before July 1, to the Secretary of State a fee of $10.00 but shall be exempt from all other excise and income taxes whatsoever.
The lines, facilities, or systems of any cooperative or foreign corporation doing business in this state pursuant to this part and the lines, facilities, or systems of any other telephone company may, upon such terms and conditions as may be mutually agreeable to such cooperative or foreign corporation and such telephone company, be interconnected in order to provide continuous lines of communication for the subscribers of any such cooperative, foreign corporation, or telephone company. In the event any such cooperative or foreign corporation and any such telephone company shall be unable to agree upon the terms and conditions of such interconnection, including compensation therefor, the commission shall, upon the request of either party, establish terms and conditions with respect to such interconnection which shall be reasonable and nondiscriminatory.
Cooperatives and foreign corporations doing business in this state pursuant to this part shall be subject to the jurisdiction and supervision of the commission in the same manner and in every respect as any other telephone company owning, leasing, or operating a public telephone service or telephone line in this state.
Chapter 5 of Title 10 shall not apply to any note, bond, or other evidence of indebtedness issued to the United States government or any agency or instrumentality thereof by any cooperative or foreign corporation doing business in this state pursuant to this part; nor shall Chapter 5 of Title 10 apply to any mortgage, deed of trust, or other instrument executed to secure the same. Chapter 5 of Title 10 also shall not apply to the issuance of membership certificates, shares of stock, or any other evidence of member, shareholder, or patron interest by any cooperative or any such foreign corporation.
This part is complete in itself and shall be controlling. This part shall be construed liberally. The enumeration in this part of any object, purpose, power, manner, method, or thing shall not be deemed to exclude like or similar objects, purposes, powers, manners, methods, or things.
This part shall be known and may be cited as the “Georgia Emergency Telephone Number 9-1-1 Service Act of 1977.”
(a) The General Assembly finds and declares that it is in the public interest to shorten the time required for a citizen to request and receive emergency aid. There currently exist numerous different emergency phone numbers throughout the state. Provision for a single, primary three-digit emergency number through which emergency services can be quickly and efficiently obtained would provide a significant contribution to law enforcement and other public service efforts by making it easier to notify public safety personnel. Such a simplified means of procuring emergency services will result in the saving of lives, a reduction in the destruction of property, and quicker apprehension of criminals. It is the intent of the General Assembly to establish and implement a cohesive state-wide emergency telephone number 9-1-1 system which will provide citizens with rapid, direct access to public safety agencies by dialing telephone number 9-1-1 with the objective of reducing the response time to situations requiring law enforcement, fire, medical, rescue, and other emergency services.
(b) The General Assembly further finds and declares that the benefits of 9-1-1 service should be widely available, regardless of whether a 9-1-1 call is placed from a traditional landline telephone or from a wireless telephone. It is also in the public interest that users of wireless telephones should bear some of the cost of providing this lifesaving service, as users of landline telephones currently do. It is the intent of the General Assembly to bring wireless telephone service within the scope of this part and to establish a means by which local public safety agencies may provide enhanced 9-1-1 service to wireless telephone users.
(c) The General Assembly further finds and declares that communication technology is rapidly and constantly changing. It is in the public interest that as different means of accessing 9-1-1 service emerge, that the users of such technology bear some of the cost of providing this lifesaving service, as users of landline and wireless telephones currently do. It is the intent of the General Assembly to bring these new and emerging technologies within the scope of this part and establish a means by which local public safety agencies may provide 9-1-1 service to such users.
(d) The General Assembly further finds and declares that the safety and well-being of the citizens of Georgia is of the utmost importance, and it is in the public interest to provide the highest level of emergency response service on a local, regional, and state-wide basis.
(e) The General Assembly further finds that the collection methodology for prepaid wireless telecommunications service should effectively capture 9-1-1 charges from prepaid users. It is the intent of the General Assembly to move the collection of existing 9-1-1 charges on prepaid wireless service to the retail point of sale.
As used in this part, the term:
(1) “Addressing” means the assigning of a numerical address and street name (the name may be numerical) to each location within a local government's geographical area necessary to provide public safety service as determined by the local government. This address replaces any route and box number currently in place in the 9-1-1 data base and facilitates quicker response by public safety agencies.
(2) “Authority” means the Georgia Emergency Communications Authority established pursuant to Code Section 38-3-182.
(2.1) “Call” means any communication, message, signal, or transmission.
(2.2) “Center” means the Georgia Public Safety Training Center.
(3) Reserved.
(4) “Cost recovery” means the mechanism by which service suppliers may recover the recurring and nonrecurring costs they expend on the implementation of wireless 9-1-1 services.
(5) “Emergency 9-1-1 system” or “9-1-1 system” means a telephone service, computer service, wireless service, or other service which facilitates the placing of calls by persons in need of emergency services to a public safety answering point by dialing the telephone number 9-1-1 and under which calls to 9-1-1 are answered or otherwise responded to by public safety answering points established and operated by the local government subscribing to the 9-1-1 service. The term “emergency 9-1-1 system” also includes “enhanced 9-1-1 service,” which means an emergency system that provides the user with emergency 9-1-1 system service and, in addition, directs 9-1-1 calls to appropriate public safety answering points by selective routing based on the geographical location from which the call originated and provides the capability for automatic number identification and automatic location identification features.
(6) “Enhanced ZIP Code” means a United States postal ZIP Code of 9 or more digits.
(7) “Exchange access facility” means the access from a particular telephone subscriber's premises to the telephone system of a service supplier. Exchange access facilities include service supplier provided access lines, PBX trunks, and Centrex network access registers, all as defined by tariffs of the telephone companies as approved by the Georgia Public Service Commission or, in the case of detariffed services, as defined in publicly available guidebooks or other publicly available service supplier publications. The term “exchange access facility” also includes Voice over Internet Protocol service suppliers and any other communication, message, signal, or information delivery system capable of initiating a 9-1-1 emergency call. Exchange access facilities do not include service supplier owned and operated telephone pay station lines, Wide Area Telecommunications Services (WATS), Foreign Exchange (FX), or incoming only lines.
(8) “FIPS” means the Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) 55-3 or any future enhancement.
(9) “Local government” means any city, county, military base, or political subdivision of Georgia and its agencies.
(10) “Mobile telecommunications service” means commercial mobile radio service, as such term is defined in 47 C.F.R. Section 20.3.
(11) “9-1-1 charge” means a contribution to the local government for the 9-1-1 service start-up equipment costs, subscriber notification costs, addressing costs, billing costs, nonrecurring and recurring installation, maintenance, service, and network charges of a service supplier providing 9-1-1 service pursuant to this part, and costs associated with the hiring, training, and compensating of dispatchers employed by the local government to operate said 9-1-1 system at the public safety answering points.
(11.1) “9-1-1 number” means the digits, address, Internet Protocol address, or other information used to access or initiate a call to a public safety answering point.
(12) “Place of primary use” means the street address representative of where the customer's use of the mobile telecommunications service primarily occurs, which must be the residential street address or the primary business street address of the customer.
(12.1) “Prepaid wireless service” means any method where a telephone subscriber pays in advance for a wireless telecommunications connection:
(A) That is sold in predetermined units or dollars:
(i) The number of which declines with use in a known amount; and
(ii) Which expire without an additional retail purchase of units or dollars;
(B) That is not offered in conjunction with other communications services for which the terms permit payment in arrears; and
(C) The charges for which are:
(i) Not billed to any telephone subscriber or other person; or
(ii) Not provided to a telephone subscriber or other person in a monthly statement.
Such term shall include, without limitation, calling or usage privileges included with the purchase of a wireless telephone as well as additional calling or usage privileges purchased by any means, including, without limitation, a calling card, a call, or an Internet transaction.
(13) “Public agency” means the state and any city, county, city and county, municipal corporation, chartered organization, public district, or public authority located in whole or in part within this state which provides or has authority to provide fire-fighting, law enforcement, ambulance, medical, or other emergency services.
(14) “Public safety agency” means a functional division of a public agency which provides fire-fighting, law enforcement, emergency medical, suicide prevention, emergency management dispatching, poison control, drug prevention, child abuse, spouse abuse, or other emergency services.
(15) “Public safety answering point” means the public safety agency which receives incoming 9-1-1 telephone calls and dispatches appropriate public safety agencies to respond to such calls.
(16) “Service supplier” means a person or entity who provides telephone service to a telephone subscriber.
(16.1)(A) “Telephone service” means any method by which a 9-1-1 emergency call is delivered to a public safety answering point. Such term shall include local exchange access facilities or other telephone communication service, wireless service, mobile telecommunications service, computer service, Voice over Internet Protocol service, or any technology that delivers a call to a public safety answering point that is:
(i) Capable of contacting and has been enabled to contact a public safety answering point via a 9-1-1 system by entering or dialing the digits 9-1-1;
(ii) A telecommunications service as such term is defined in Code Section 48-8-2; and
(iii) Neither a prepaid calling service nor a prepaid wireless calling service as such terms are defined in Code Section 48-8-2.
(B) When a service supplier provides to the same person, business, or organization the voice channel capacity to make more than one simultaneous outbound call from an exchange access facility, then each such separate outbound call voice channel capacity, regardless of technology, shall constitute a separate telephone service.
(C) When the same person, business, or organization has several wireless telephones, each wireless telecommunications connection shall constitute a separate telephone service; provided, however, that multiple wireless devices that share a single telephone number and which are generally offered for use primarily by a single individual shall constitute a single telephone service.
(D) A broadband connection used for telephone service shall not constitute a separate voice channel capacity subscription for purposes of the 9-1-1 charge.
(17) “Telephone subscriber” means a person or entity to which retail telephone service, either residential or commercial, is provided.
(17.1) “Voice over Internet Protocol service” includes any technology that permits a voice conversation through any device using a voice connection to a computer, whether through a microphone, a telephone, or other device that sends a digital signal over the Internet through a broadband connection to be converted back to the human voice at a distant terminal and that delivers a call to a public safety answering point. Voice over Internet Protocol service shall also include interconnected Voice over Internet Protocol service, which is service that enables real-time, two-way voice communications, requires a broadband connection from the user's location, requires Internet protocol compatible customer premises equipment, and allows users to receive calls that originate on the public service telephone network and to terminate calls to the public switched telephone network.
(17.2) “Voice over Internet Protocol service supplier” means a person or entity who provides Voice over Internet Protocol service to subscribers for a fee.
(18) “Wireless enhanced 9-1-1 charge” means a contribution to the local government for the following:
(A) The costs to the local government of implementing or upgrading, and maintaining, an emergency 9-1-1 system which is capable of receiving and utilizing the following information, as it relates to 9-1-1 calls made from a wireless telecommunications connection: automatic number identification, the location of the base station or cell site which receives the 9-1-1 call, and the location of the wireless telecommunications connection;
(B) Nonrecurring and recurring installation, maintenance, service, and network charges of a wireless service supplier to provide the information described in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph; and
(C) Other costs which may be paid with money from the Emergency Telephone System Fund, pursuant to subsection (f) of Code Section 46-5-134.
(19) “Wireless service” means “commercial mobile service” as defined under Section 332(D) of the federal Telecommunications Act of 1996 (47 U.S.C. Section 157, et seq.), regulations of the Federal Communications Commission, and the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993 (P.L. 103-66) and includes real-time, two-way interconnected voice service which is provided over networks which utilize intelligent switching capability and offer seamless handoff to customers. The term does not include one-way signaling service, data transmission service, nonlocal radio access line service, or a private telecommunications service. The term does include prepaid wireless service.
(20) “Wireless service supplier” means a provider of wireless service.
(21) “Wireless telecommunications connection” means any mobile station for wireless service that connects a provider of wireless service to a provider of telephone service.
(a) The authority shall develop guidelines for implementing a state-wide emergency 9-1-1 system. The guidelines shall provide for:
(1) Steps of action necessary for public agencies to effect the necessary coordination, regulation, and development preliminary to a 9-1-1 system that shall incorporate the requirements of each public service agency in each local government of Georgia;
(2) Identification of mutual aid agreements necessary to effect the 9-1-1 system, including coordination on behalf of the State of Georgia with any federal agency to secure financial assistance or other desirable activities in connection with the receipt of funding that may be provided to communities for the planning, development, or implementation of the 9-1-1 system;
(3) The coordination necessary between local governments planning or developing a 9-1-1 system and other state agencies, the Public Service Commission, all affected utility and telephone companies, wireless service suppliers, and other agencies;
(4) The actions to establish emergency telephone service necessary to meet the requirements for each local government, including law enforcement, fire-fighting, medical, suicide prevention, rescue, or other emergency services; and
(5) The actions to be taken by a local government desiring to provide wireless enhanced 9-1-1 service, including requirements contained in 47 C.F.R. Section 20.18.
(b) The authority shall be responsible for encouraging and promoting the planning, development, and implementation of local 9-1-1 system plans. The authority shall develop any necessary procedures to be followed by public agencies for implementing and coordinating such plans and shall mediate whenever disputes arise or agreements cannot be reached between the local political jurisdiction and other entities involving the 9-1-1 system.
(c) Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, no communications officer hired to the staff of a public safety answering point shall be required to complete his or her training pursuant to Code Section 35-8-23 prior to being hired or employed for such position.
(d) The authority shall maintain the registry of wireless service suppliers provided for in Code Section 46-5-124.1.
(a) Any service supplier or Voice over Internet Protocol service supplier doing business in Georgia shall register the following information by January 1, 2019, with the authority:
(1) The name, address, and telephone number of the representative of the service supplier or Voice over Internet Protocol service supplier to whom the resolution adopted pursuant to Code Section 46-5-133 or other notification of intent to provide automatic number identification or automatic location identification, or both, of a telephone service connection;
(2) The name, address, and telephone number of the representative of the service supplier or Voice over Internet Protocol service supplier with whom a local government must coordinate to implement automatic number identification or automatic location identification, or both, of a telephone service connection;
(3) The counties in Georgia in which the service supplier or Voice over Internet Protocol service supplier is authorized to provide and is actively providing telephone service at the time the filing is made; and
(4) Every corporate name under which the service supplier or Voice over Internet Protocol service supplier is authorized to provide telephone service in Georgia.
(b) After the initial submission by each service supplier or Voice over Internet Protocol service supplier doing business in this state, if the information required by subsection (a) of this Code section changes, it shall be updated and submitted to the authority within 60 days of such change.
(c) Every service supplier or Voice over Internet Protocol service supplier shall comply with subsections (a) and (b) of this Code section. Any service supplier or Voice over Internet Protocol service supplier that fails to register and provide the information required by this Code section after receiving notice of the deficiency or noncompliance duly served upon the service supplier's or Voice over Internet Protocol service supplier's registered agent and failing to cure the deficiency or noncompliance within 60 days of receiving notice shall:
(1) Not be eligible to receive cost recovery funds as provided in subsection (e) of Code Section 46-5-134 until the service supplier or Voice over Internet Protocol service supplier is in compliance with subsections (a) and (b) of this Code section;
(2) Be subject to a fine by the authority in the amount of $1,000.00 per day for each day of failure to comply with subsection (b) of this Code section; and
(3) When audited, not be subject to the three-year limit under paragraph (3) of subsection (a) of Code Section 38-3-189.
(d) Subsection (c) of this Code section shall apply only so long as the deficiency or noncompliance remains uncured.
(e) The authority may share the service supplier registry with the Department of Revenue to ensure proper collection and remittance of all 9-1-1 charges.
Nothing in this part shall be construed to prohibit or discourage the formation of multijurisdictional or regional 9-1-1 systems; and any system established pursuant to this part may include the jurisdiction, or any portion thereof, of more than one public agency.
The authority shall coordinate its activities with those of the Public Service Commission, which shall encourage the Georgia telephone industry to activate facility modification plans for a timely 9-1-1 implementation.
(a) After January 1, 1978, and prior to January 1, 2019, no emergency 9-1-1 system shall be established, and no existing system shall be expanded to provide wireless enhanced 9-1-1 service, without written confirmation by the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency that the local plan conforms to the guidelines and procedures provided for in Code Section 46-5-124.
(b) On or after January 1, 2019, no emergency 9-1-1 system shall be established, and no existing system shall be expanded to provide wireless enhanced 9-1-1 service, without written confirmation by the authority that the local plan conforms to the guidelines and procedures provided for in Code Section 46-5-124. The authority shall not deny establishment of a new system or an expansion to provide wireless enhanced 9-1-1 service if the local plan conforms to the guidelines and procedures provided for in Code Section 46-5-124.
All public agencies shall assist the authority in its efforts to carry out the intent of this part; and such agencies shall comply with the guidelines developed pursuant to Code Section 46-5-124 by furnishing a resolution of intent regarding an emergency 9-1-1 system.
The authority may develop a 9-1-1 emblem which may be utilized on marked vehicles used by public safety agencies participating in a local 9-1-1 system.
The authority is authorized to apply for and accept federal funding assistance in the development and implementation of a state-wide emergency 9-1-1 system.
(a) Whether participating in a state-wide emergency 9-1-1 system or an emergency 9-1-1 system serving one or more local governments, neither the state nor the authority nor any local government of the state nor any emergency 9-1-1 system provider or service supplier or its employees, directors, officers, contractors, and agents, except in cases of wanton and willful misconduct or bad faith, shall be liable for death or injury to any person or for damage to property as a result of either developing, adopting, establishing, participating in, implementing, maintaining, or carrying out duties involved in operating the emergency 9-1-1 system or in the identification of the telephone number, address, or name associated with any person accessing an emergency 9-1-1 system.
(b) No local government of the State of Georgia shall be required to release, indemnify, defend, or hold harmless any emergency 9-1-1 system provider from any loss, claim, demand, suit, or other action or any liability whatsoever which arises out of subsection (a) of this Code section, unless the local government agrees or has agreed to assume such obligations.
It shall be unlawful for any service supplier to assess or charge any fee for an emergency call placed on an emergency 9-1-1 system. The prohibition provided for in this Code section shall only apply to actual emergency calls made on such system and shall not apply to nor prohibit any fee assessed or charged for the implementation or enhancement of such system.
(a) Subject to the provisions of subsection (b) of this Code section, the governing authority of any local government which operates or which contracts for the operation of an emergency 9-1-1 system is authorized to adopt a resolution to impose a monthly 9-1-1 charge upon each telephone service subscribed to by telephone subscribers whose exchange access lines are in the areas served or which would be served by the 9-1-1 service. Subject to the provisions of subsection (b) of this Code section and of subparagraphs (a)(2)(A) and (a)(2)(B) of Code Section 46-5-134, the governing authority of any local government which operates or contracts for the operation of an emergency 9-1-1 system which is capable of providing or provides enhanced 9-1-1 service to persons or entities with a wireless telecommunications connection, excluding a military base, is authorized to adopt a resolution to impose a monthly wireless enhanced 9-1-1 charge upon each wireless telecommunications connection, other than a connection for prepaid wireless service, subscribed to by telephone subscribers whose place of primary use is within the geographic area that is served by the local government or that would be served by the local government for the purpose of such an emergency 9-1-1 system. Such resolution, or any amendment to such resolution, shall fix a date on which such resolution and the imposition and collection of the 9-1-1 charge or wireless enhanced 9-1-1 charge, as provided in the resolution, shall become effective; provided, however, that such effective date shall be at least 120 days following the date of the adoption of such resolution or any amendment to such resolution by the local government. The 9-1-1 charge must be uniform, may not vary according to the type of telephone service used, and may be billed on a monthly or quarterly basis. The wireless enhanced 9-1-1 charge must be uniform, not vary according to the type of wireless telecommunications connection used, and may be billed on a monthly or quarterly basis.
(a.1) Any 9-1-1 charges shall be imposed only on the telephone subscriber of the entity that provides telephone service directly to the telephone subscriber. If a service supplier obtains its connectivity to the public switched telephone network or the public safety answering point through another service supplier, that other service supplier shall not be subject to any 9-1-1 charges with respect to the affected services.
(b)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, no local government shall be authorized to exercise the power conferred by this Code section unless either:
(A) A majority of the voters residing in that political subdivision who vote in an election called for such purpose shall vote to authorize the implementation of this Code section. Such election shall be called and conducted as other special elections are called and conducted in such local government when requested by such local government authority. The question or questions on the ballot shall be as prescribed by the election superintendent, provided that separate questions may be posed regarding implementation of a 9-1-1 charge and of a wireless enhanced 9-1-1 charge; or
(B) After a public hearing held upon not less than ten days' public notice.
(2) The provisions of paragraph (1) of this subsection shall not apply with respect to a local government if the governing authority of such local government has on or before March 7, 1988, contracted with a telephone service supplier for the purchase or operation, or both, of a telephone 9-1-1 system.
(c) On and after January 1, 1999, no monthly 9-1-1 charge provided for in this Code section shall be imposed or continue to be imposed unless each public safety answering point funded in whole or in part from such charges is in compliance with Code Section 36-60-19, relating to required TDD training for communications officers.
(d) Unless a municipality has imposed any charge authorized by this part, a county's imposition by resolution of any charge authorized by this part shall be applied county wide and the emergency 9-1-1 system shall be provided as a county-wide service. Any emergency call from a member of the public received by such a county or contracted public safety answering point shall be directed to the appropriate county or municipality public safety agency personnel who are able to respond to such call or other county or municipal dispatching personnel, and such public safety answering point shall maintain the connection with the caller or such public safety or dispatching personnel until the public safety answering point relays sufficient information for such personnel to respond to the call. Such county shall not impose fees or charges on the municipality or its public safety agency for the emergency call and connection services described in this subsection; provided, however, that nothing in this subsection is intended to supersede any existing intergovernmental agreements not otherwise in conflict with this subsection. The authority is authorized to adopt rules and regulations consistent with this subsection to ensure that emergency callers receive public safety services in an efficient, effective, and responsive manner and that responding public safety personnel are provided the necessary information to provide such services.
(a)(1)(A)(i) Unless exempt, the telephone subscriber of any telephone service shall be billed for the monthly 9-1-1 charge, if any, imposed with respect to such telephone service by the service supplier. Such 9-1-1 charge shall be $1.50 per month per telephone service provided to the telephone subscriber except as reduced pursuant to paragraph (4) of subsection (d) of this Code section.
(ii) In computing the amount due under this subsection, the number of 9-1-1 charges a telephone subscriber shall be assessed shall not exceed the number of simultaneous outbound calls that can be made from voice channels the service supplier has activated and enabled. For telephone service that provides to multiple locations shared simultaneous outbound voice channel capacity configured to and capable of accessing a 9-1-1 system in different states, the monthly 9-1-1 charge shall be assessed only for the portion of such shared voice channel capacity in this state as identified by the service supplier's books and records. In determining the portion of shared capacity in this state, a service supplier may rely on, among other factors, a customer's certification of its allocation of capacity in this state, which may be based on each end user location, the total number of end users, and the number of end users at each end user location.
(B) All telephone services billed to federal, state, or local governments shall be exempt from the 9-1-1 charge. Each service supplier shall, on behalf of the local government, collect the 9-1-1 charge from those telephone subscribers to whom it provides telephone service in the area served by the emergency 9-1-1 system. As part of its normal billing process, the service supplier shall collect the 9-1-1 charge for each month a telephone service is in service, and it shall list the 9-1-1 charge as a separate entry on each bill. Nothing in this Code section shall be construed to require a service supplier to list the 9-1-1 charge as a surcharge or separate entry on each bill. Service suppliers that do not list the 9-1-1 charge as a separate entry on each bill shall remit the 9-1-1 charge for each telephone subscriber that pays the bill; provided, however, that this information shall be maintained in a form auditors can access. If a service supplier receives a partial payment for a bill from a telephone subscriber, the service supplier shall apply the payment against the amount the telephone subscriber owes the service supplier first.
(C) This paragraph shall not apply to wireless service or prepaid wireless service or the telephone subscribers or service suppliers of such services.
(2)(A) If the governing body of a local government operates or contracts for the operation of a public safety answering point that is capable of providing or provides automatic number identification of a wireless telecommunications connection and the location of the base station or cell site which receives a 9-1-1 call from a wireless telecommunications connection, the subscriber of a wireless telecommunications connection whose place of primary use is within the geographic area that is served by the local government or that would be served by the local government for the purpose of such a public safety answering point may be billed for the monthly wireless enhanced 9-1-1 charge, if any, imposed with respect to that connection by the wireless service supplier. Such wireless enhanced 9-1-1 charge shall be $1.50 per month per wireless telecommunications connection provided to the telephone subscriber except as otherwise provided in paragraph (4) of subsection (d) of this Code section.
(B) If the governing body of a local government operates or contracts for the operation of an emergency 9-1-1 system which is capable of providing or provides automatic number identification and automatic location identification of a wireless telecommunications connection, the subscriber of a wireless telecommunications connection whose place of primary use is within the geographic area that is served by the local government or that would be served by the local government for the purpose of such an emergency 9-1-1 system may be billed for the monthly wireless enhanced 9-1-1 charge, if any, imposed with respect to that connection by the wireless service supplier. Such wireless enhanced 9-1-1 charge may not exceed the amount of the monthly 9-1-1 charge imposed upon other telephone subscribers pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subsection and shall be imposed on a monthly basis for each wireless telecommunications connection provided to the telephone subscriber.
(C) All wireless telecommunications connections billed to federal, state, or local governments shall be exempt from the wireless enhanced 9-1-1 charge. Each wireless service supplier shall, on behalf of the local government, collect the wireless enhanced 9-1-1 charge from those telephone subscribers whose place of primary use is within the geographic area that is served by the local government or that would be served by the local government for the purpose of such an emergency 9-1-1 system. As part of its normal billing process, the wireless service supplier shall collect the wireless enhanced 9-1-1 charge for each month a wireless telecommunications connection is in service, and it may list the wireless enhanced 9-1-1 charge as a separate entry on each bill. Nothing in this Code section shall be construed to require a wireless service supplier to list the 9-1-1 charge as a separate entry on each bill. Wireless service suppliers that do not list the 9-1-1 charge as a separate entry on each bill shall remit the 9-1-1 charge for each telephone subscriber that pays the bill; provided, however, that this information shall be maintained in a form auditors can access. If a wireless service supplier receives partial payment for a bill from a telephone subscriber, the wireless service supplier shall apply the payment against the amount the telephone subscriber owes the wireless service supplier first.
(D) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the application of any 9-1-1 service charge with respect to a mobile telecommunications service, as defined in 4 U.S.C. Section 124(7), shall be governed by the provisions of Code Section 48-8-6.
(E) This paragraph shall not apply to prepaid wireless service or the telephone subscribers or service suppliers of such service.
(b) Every telephone subscriber in the area served by the emergency 9-1-1 system shall be liable for the 9-1-1 charges and the wireless enhanced 9-1-1 charges imposed under this Code section until it has been paid to the service supplier. A service supplier shall have no obligation to take any legal action to enforce the collection of the 9-1-1 charge or wireless enhanced 9-1-1 charge. The service supplier shall provide the governing authority within 60 days with the name and address of each subscriber who has refused to pay the 9-1-1 charge or wireless enhanced 9-1-1 charge after such 9-1-1 charge or wireless enhanced 9-1-1 charge has become due. A collection action may be initiated against the subscriber by the authority and reasonable costs and attorneys' fees associated with that collection action may be awarded to the authority.
(c) The local government contracting for the operation of an emergency 9-1-1 system shall remain ultimately responsible to the service supplier for all emergency 9-1-1 system installation, service, equipment, operation, and maintenance charges owed to the service supplier. Any taxes due on emergency 9-1-1 system service provided by the service supplier will be billed to the local government subscribing to the service. State and local taxes do not apply to the 9-1-1 charge or wireless enhanced 9-1-1 charge billed to telephone subscribers under this Code section.
(d)(1) Each service supplier that collects 9-1-1 charges or wireless enhanced 9-1-1 charges on behalf of the local government is entitled to retain as an administrative fee an amount equal to 1 percent of the gross 9-1-1 or wireless enhanced 9-1-1 charge receipts to be remitted to the local government; provided, however, that such amount shall not exceed 1¢ for every dollar so remitted.
(2) The 9-1-1 charges and the wireless enhanced 9-1-1 charges collected by the service supplier and transmitted to the authority for distribution to local governments pursuant to Code Section 38-3-185 shall, upon being received by a local government, be deposited and accounted for in a separate restricted revenue fund known as the Emergency Telephone System Fund maintained by the local government. The local government may invest the money in the fund in the same manner that other moneys of the local government may be invested and any income earned from such investment shall be deposited into the Emergency Telephone System Fund.
(3) On or before July 1, 2005, any funds that may have been deposited in a separate restricted wireless reserve account required by this Code section prior to such date shall be transferred to the Emergency Telephone System Fund required by paragraph (2) of this subsection.
(4) The governing body of a local government shall be required to reduce such monthly 9-1-1 charge or wireless enhanced 9-1-1 charge at any time the projected revenues from 9-1-1 charges or wireless enhanced 9-1-1 charges will cause the unexpended revenues in the Emergency Telephone System Fund at the end of the fiscal year to exceed by one and one-half times the unexpended revenues in such fund at the end of the immediately preceding fiscal year or at any time the unexpended revenues in such fund at the end of the fiscal year exceed by one and one-half times the unexpended revenues in such fund at the end of the immediately preceding fiscal year. Such reduction in the 9-1-1 charge or wireless enhanced 9-1-1 charge shall be in an amount which will avert the accumulation of revenues in such fund at the end of the fiscal year which will exceed by one and one-half times the amount of revenues in the fund at the end of the immediately preceding fiscal year.
(e)(1) A service supplier may recover its costs expended on the implementation and provision of 9-1-1 services to subscribers by imposing a cost recovery fee not to exceed 45¢ per month or including such costs in existing cost recovery or regulatory recovery fees billed to the subscriber. In no event shall a service supplier deduct any amounts for cost recovery or otherwise from the charges to be remitted to the authority pursuant to Code Section 38-3-185 or 46-5-134.2.
(2) A wireless service supplier shall not be authorized to recover any costs under paragraph (1) of this subsection with respect to any prepaid wireless services.
(f)(1) In addition to cost recovery as provided in subsection (e) of this Code section, money from the Emergency Telephone System Fund shall be used only to pay for:
(A) The lease, purchase, or maintenance of emergency telephone equipment, including necessary computer hardware, software, and data base provisioning; addressing; and nonrecurring costs of establishing a 9-1-1 system;
(B) The rates associated with the service supplier's 9-1-1 service and other service supplier's recurring charges;
(C) The actual cost, according to generally accepted accounting principles, of salaries and employee benefits incurred by the local government for employees hired by the local government solely for the operation and maintenance of the emergency 9-1-1 system and employees who work as directors as that term is defined in Code Section 46-5-138.2, whether such employee benefits are purchased directly from a third-party insurance carrier, funded by the local government's self-funding risk program, or funded by the local government's participation in a group self-insurance fund. As used in this paragraph, the term “employee benefits” means health benefits, disability benefits, death benefits, accidental death and dismemberment benefits, pension benefits, retirement benefits, workers' compensation, and such other benefits as the local government may provide. Said term shall also include any post-employment benefits the local government may provide;
(D) The actual cost, according to generally accepted accounting principles, of training employees hired by the local government solely for the operation and maintenance of the emergency 9-1-1 system and employees who work as directors as that term is defined in Code Section 46-5-138.2;
(E) Office supplies of the public safety answering points used directly in providing emergency 9-1-1 system services;
(F) The cost of leasing or purchasing a building used as a public safety answering point. Moneys from the fund shall not be used for the construction or lease of an emergency 9-1-1 system building until the local government has completed its street addressing plan;
(G) The lease, purchase, or maintenance of computer hardware and software used at a public safety answering point, including computer-assisted dispatch systems and automatic vehicle location systems;
(H) Supplies directly related to providing emergency 9-1-1 system services, including the cost of printing emergency 9-1-1 system public education materials; and
(I) The lease, purchase, or maintenance of logging recorders used at a public safety answering point to record telephone and radio traffic.
(2)(A) In addition to cost recovery as provided in subsection (e) of this Code section, money from the Emergency Telephone System Fund may be used to pay for those purposes set forth in subparagraph (B) of this paragraph, if:
(i) The local government's 9-1-1 system provides enhanced 9-1-1 service;
(ii) The revenues from the 9-1-1 charges or wireless enhanced 9-1-1 charges in the local government's Emergency Telephone System Fund at the end of any fiscal year shall be projected to exceed the cost of providing enhanced 9-1-1 services as authorized in subparagraphs (A) through (I) of paragraph (1) of this subsection and the cost of providing enhanced 9-1-1 services as authorized in subparagraphs (A) through (I) of paragraph (1) of this subsection includes a reserve amount equal to at least 10 percent of the previous year's expenditures; and
(iii) Funds for such purposes are distributed pursuant to an intergovernmental agreement between the local governments whose citizens are served by the emergency 9-1-1 system proportionately by population as determined by the most recent decennial census published by the United States Bureau of the Census at the time such agreement is entered into.
(B) Pursuant to subparagraph (A) of this paragraph, the Emergency Telephone System Fund may be used to pay for:
(i) The actual cost, according to generally accepted accounting principles, of insurance purchased by the local government to insure against the risks and liability in the operation and maintenance of the emergency 9-1-1 system on behalf of the local government or on behalf of employees hired by the local government solely for the operation and maintenance of the emergency 9-1-1 system and employees who work as directors as that term is defined in Code Section 46-5-138.2, whether such insurance is purchased directly from a third-party insurance carrier, funded by the local government's self-funding risk program, or funded by the local government's participation in a group self-insurance fund. As used in this division, the term “cost of insurance” shall include, but shall not be limited to, any insurance premiums, unit fees, and broker fees paid for insurance obtained by the local government;
(ii) The lease, purchase, or maintenance of a mobile communications vehicle and equipment, if the primary purpose and designation of such vehicle is to function as a backup 9-1-1 system center;
(iii) The allocation of indirect costs associated with supporting the 9-1-1 system center and operations as identified and outlined in an indirect cost allocation plan approved by the local governing authority that is consistent with the costs allocated within the local government to both governmental and business-type activities;
(iv) The lease, purchase, or maintenance of mobile public safety voice and data equipment, geo-targeted text messaging alert systems, or towers necessary to carry out the function of 9-1-1 system operations; and
(v) The lease, purchase, or maintenance of public safety voice and data communications systems located in the 9-1-1 system facility that further the legislative intent of providing the highest level of emergency response service on a local, regional, and state-wide basis, including equipment and associated hardware and software that support the use of public safety wireless voice and data communication systems.
(g) All 9-1-1 systems and communication systems provided pursuant to this part shall conform to the two-step state plan governing enhanced 9-1-1 service as follows:
(1) In step one, the governing authority of a local government shall operate or contract for the operation of an emergency 9-1-1 system that provides or is capable of providing automatic number identification of a wireless telecommunications connection and the location of the base station or cell site which received a 9-1-1 call from a wireless telecommunications connection; and
(2) In step two, the governing authority of a local government shall operate or contract for the operation of an emergency 9-1-1 system that provides or is capable of providing automatic number identification and automatic location of a wireless telecommunications connection.
(h) The local government may contract with a service supplier for any term negotiated by the service supplier and the local government for an emergency 9-1-1 system and may make payments from the Emergency Telephone System Fund to provide any payments required by the contract, subject to the limitations provided by subsection (e) of this Code section.
(i) The service supplier shall maintain records of the amount of the 9-1-1 charges and wireless enhanced 9-1-1 charges collected for a period of at least three years from the date of collection.
(j) In order to provide additional funding for the local government for emergency 9-1-1 system purposes, the local government may receive federal, state, municipal, or private funds which shall be expended for the purposes of this part.
(k) Subject to the provisions of Code Section 46-5-133, a telephone subscriber may be billed for the monthly 9-1-1 charge or wireless enhanced 9-1-1 charge for up to 18 months in advance of the date on which the 9-1-1 system becomes fully operational.
(l) In the event the local government is a federal military base providing emergency services to telephone subscribers residing on the base, a telephone service supplier is authorized to apply the 9-1-1 charges collected to the bill for 9-1-1 service rather than remit the funds to an Emergency Telephone System Fund.
(m)(1) Any local government collecting or expending any 9-1-1 charges or wireless enhanced 9-1-1 charges in any fiscal year beginning on or after July 1, 2005, shall document the amount of funds collected and expended from such charges. Any local government collecting or expending 9-1-1 funds shall certify in its audit, as required under Code Section 36-81-7, that 9-1-1 funds were expended in compliance with the expenditure requirements of this Code section.
(2) Any local government which makes expenditures not in compliance with this Code section may be held liable for pro rata reimbursement to telephone and wireless telecommunications subscribers of amounts improperly expended. Such liability may be established in judicial proceedings by any aggrieved party. The noncompliant local government shall be solely financially responsible for the reimbursement and for any costs associated with the reimbursement. Such reimbursement shall be accomplished by the service suppliers abating the imposition of the 9-1-1 charges and wireless enhanced 9-1-1 charges until such abatement equals the total amount of the rebate.
(a) This Code section shall apply in counties where the governing bodies of more than one local government have adopted a resolution to impose a 9-1-1 charge in accordance with the provisions of subsection (a) of Code Section 46-5-133 and notwithstanding any contrary provision of Code Section 46-5-133 or 46-5-134.
(b) A wireless service supplier may certify to any of the governing bodies described in subsection (a) of this Code section that the wireless service supplier is unable to determine whether the billing addresses of its subscribers are within the geographic area that is served by such local government. Upon such certification, the wireless service supplier shall be authorized to collect the 9-1-1 charge for wireless enhanced 9-1-1 services from any of its subscribers whose billing address is within the county and is within an area that is as close as reasonably possible to the geographic area that is served by such local government. The wireless service supplier shall notify such subscribers that if such subscriber's billing address is not within the geographic area served by such local government, such subscriber is not obligated to pay the 9-1-1 charge for wireless enhanced 9-1-1 service.
(c) Unless otherwise provided in an agreement among the governing bodies described in subsection (a) of this Code section, the charges collected by a wireless service supplier pursuant to this Code section shall be remitted to such governing bodies based upon the number of calls from wireless telecommunications connections that each such individual local government receives and counts relative to the total number of calls from wireless telecommunications connections that are received and counted by all of such local governments.
(d) The powers granted to a wireless service supplier pursuant to this Code section shall terminate:
(1) On the date that the wireless service supplier certifies to a governing body of a local government described in subsection (a) of this Code section that the wireless service supplier is able to determine whether the billing addresses of its subscribers are within the geographic area that is served by such governing body; or
(2) On the date which is 180 days from the date that any of its subscribers were first billed under this Code section, whichever is earlier.
Upon termination of such powers, the wireless service supplier shall collect the 9-1-1 charge for wireless enhanced 9-1-1 service as provided in Code Section 46-5-134.
(a) As used in this Code section, the term:
(1) “Commissioner” means the state revenue commissioner.
(2) “Consumer” means a person who purchases prepaid wireless service in a retail transaction.
(3) “Department” means the Department of Revenue.
(4) “Prepaid wireless 9-1-1 charge” means the charge that is required to be collected by a seller from a consumer in the amount established under subsection (b) of this Code section.
(5) Reserved.
(6) “Provider” means a person that provides prepaid wireless service pursuant to a license issued by the Federal Communications Commission.
(7) “Retail transaction” means the purchase of prepaid wireless service from a seller for any purpose other than resale.
(8) “Seller” means a person who sells prepaid wireless service to another person.
(9) “Wireless telecommunications service” means commercial mobile radio service as defined by 47 C.F.R. Section 20.3, as amended.
(b)(1) Counties and municipalities that operate a 9-1-1 public safety answering point, including counties and municipalities that operate multijurisdictional or regional 9-1-1 systems or have created a joint authority pursuant to Code Section 46-5-138, are authorized to impose by ordinance or resolution a prepaid wireless 9-1-1 charge in the amount of $1.50 per retail transaction. Imposition of the charge authorized by this Code section by a county or municipality shall be contingent upon compliance with the requirements of paragraph (1) of subsection (j) of this Code section.
(2) Where a county or municipality that operates a 9-1-1 public safety answering point fails to comply with the requirements of paragraph (1) of subsection (j) of this Code section by December 31, 2011, on and after that date, the prepaid wireless 9-1-1 charge authorized by paragraph (1) of this subsection shall be imposed within the jurisdiction of such counties and municipalities as a state fee for state purposes.
(c) Where a county or municipality imposes a prepaid wireless 9-1-1 charge as authorized by paragraph (1) of subsection (b) of this Code section, or the prepaid wireless 9-1-1 charge is imposed by the State of Georgia by paragraph (2) of subsection (b) of this Code section, the prepaid wireless 9-1-1 charge shall be collected by the seller from the consumer with respect to each retail transaction occurring in this state. The amount of the prepaid wireless 9-1-1 charge shall be either separately stated on an invoice, receipt, or other similar document that is provided to the consumer by the seller or otherwise disclosed to the consumer.
(d) For the purposes of subsection (c) of this Code section, a retail transaction that is effected in person by a consumer at a business location of the seller shall be treated as occurring in this state if that business location is in this state, and any other retail transaction shall be treated as occurring in this state if the retail transaction is treated as occurring in this state for purposes of a prepaid wireless calling service as provided in paragraph (3) of subsection (e) of Code Section 48-8-77.
(e) The prepaid wireless 9-1-1 charge shall be the liability of the consumer and not of the seller or of any provider, except that the seller shall be liable to remit all prepaid wireless 9-1-1 charges that the seller collects from consumers as provided in this Code section, including all such charges that the seller is deemed to collect where the amount of the charge has not been separately stated on an invoice, receipt, or other similar document provided to the consumer by the seller.
(f) The amount of the prepaid wireless 9-1-1 charge that is collected by a seller from a consumer, if such amount is separately stated on an invoice, receipt, or other similar document provided to the consumer by the seller, shall not be included in the base for measuring any tax, fee, surcharge, or other charge that is imposed by this state, any political subdivision of this state, or any intergovernmental agency.
(g)(1) If a minimal amount of prepaid wireless service is sold with a prepaid wireless device for a single, nonitemized price, then the seller may elect not to apply the amount specified in subsection (b) of this Code section to such transaction.
(2) If a minimal amount of prepaid wireless service is separately priced and sold as part of a single retail transaction that does not contain a prepaid wireless device or another prepaid wireless service, then the seller may elect not to apply the amount specified in subsection (b) of this Code section to such transaction.
(3) For purposes of this subsection, the term “minimal” means an amount of service denominated as ten minutes or less or $5.00 or less.
(h) Prepaid wireless 9-1-1 charges collected by sellers shall be remitted to the commissioner at the times and in the manner provided by Chapter 8 of Title 48 with respect to the sales and use tax imposed on prepaid wireless calling service. The commissioner shall establish registration and payment procedures that substantially coincide with the registration and payment procedures that apply to the sale of prepaid wireless calling service under Chapter 8 of Title 48. Audit and appeal procedures applicable under Chapter 8 of Title 48 shall apply to the prepaid wireless 9-1-1 charge. The commissioner shall establish procedures by which a seller of prepaid wireless service may document that a sale is not a retail transaction, which procedures shall substantially coincide with the procedures for documenting sale for resale transactions under Chapter 8 of Title 48. Nothing in this Code section shall authorize the commissioner to require that sellers of prepaid wireless services identify, report, or specify the jurisdiction within which the retail sale of such services occurred.
(i) A seller shall be permitted to deduct and retain 3 percent of prepaid wireless 9-1-1 charges that are collected by the seller from consumers.
(j) Prepaid wireless 9-1-1 charges remitted to the commissioner as provided in this Code section shall be distributed to counties, municipalities, and the State of Georgia as follows:
(1) On or before December 31 of the year prior to the first year that the prepaid wireless 9-1-1 charge is imposed, each county and municipal corporation levying the prepaid wireless 9-1-1 charge, including counties and municipalities levying the prepaid wireless 9-1-1 charge that operate multijurisdictional or regional 9-1-1 systems or have created a joint authority pursuant to Code Section 46-5-138, shall file with the commissioner a certified copy of the pertinent parts of all ordinances and resolutions and amendments thereto which levy the prepaid wireless 9-1-1 charge authorized by this Code section. The ordinance or resolution specified herein shall specify an effective date of January 1, 2012, and impose a prepaid wireless 9-1-1 charge in the amount specified in paragraph (1) of subsection (b) of this Code section. The filing required by this paragraph shall be a condition of the collection of the prepaid wireless 9-1-1 charge within any county or municipality;
(2)(A) Each county or municipality operating a public safety answering point that has levied the prepaid wireless 9-1-1 charge authorized by this Code section and complied with the filing requirement of paragraph (1) of this subsection shall receive an amount calculated by multiplying the total amount remitted to the commissioner monthly times a fraction, the numerator of which is the population of the jurisdiction or jurisdictions operating the public safety answering point and the denominator of which is the total population of this state. An amount calculated by multiplying the total amount remitted to the commissioner monthly times a fraction, the numerator of which is the total population of any jurisdiction or jurisdictions operating public safety answering points that have not complied with the filing requirement of paragraph (1) of this subsection and the denominator of which is the total population of this state, shall be deposited as provided in paragraph (4) of this subsection.
(B) Notwithstanding the provisions of subparagraph (A) of this paragraph, the initial monthly distribution shall be calculated using the total amount remitted to the commissioner beginning January 1, 2019, and ending January 31, 2019.
(C) For the purposes of this paragraph, population shall be measured by the United States decennial census of 2010 or any future such census plus any corrections or revisions contained in official statements by the United States Bureau of the Census made prior to the first day of September immediately preceding the distribution of the proceeds of such charges by the commissioner and any official census data received by the commissioner from the United States Bureau of the Census or its successor agency pertaining to any newly incorporated municipality. Such corrections, revisions, or additional data shall be certified to the commissioner by the Office of Planning and Budget on or before August 31 of each year;
(3) Funds shall be distributed monthly not later than 30 days following the date charges must be remitted by the seller to the department. Such distribution shall include any delinquent charges actually collected by the commissioner for a previous fiscal year which have not been previously distributed;
(4) Funds distributed to a county or municipality pursuant to this Code section shall be deposited and accounted for in a separate restricted revenue fund known as the Emergency Telephone System Fund, maintained by the local government pursuant to paragraph (2) of subsection (d) of Code Section 46-5-134. The commissioner shall deposit all funds received pursuant to paragraph (2) of subsection (b) of this Code section into the general fund of the state treasury in compliance with Article 4 of Chapter 12 of Title 45, the “Budget Act.” It is the intention of the General Assembly, subject to the appropriation process, that an amount equal to the amount deposited into the general fund of the state treasury as provided in this paragraph be appropriated each year to a program of state grants to counties and municipalities administered by the department for the purpose of supporting the operations of public safety answering points in the improvement of 9-1-1 service delivery. The department shall promulgate rules and regulations for the administration of the 9-1-1 grant program; and
(5) Notwithstanding a county's or municipality's failure to comply with the filing requirement of paragraph (1) of this subsection prior to January 1, 2012, a county or municipality that subsequently meets such filing requirements prior to January 1 of any subsequent year shall become eligible to participate in the next succeeding distribution of proceeds pursuant to subparagraph (A) of paragraph (2) of this subsection.
(k)(1) No provider or seller of prepaid wireless service shall be liable for damages to any person resulting from or incurred in connection with the provision of, or failure to provide, 9-1-1 or enhanced 9-1-1 service, or for identifying, or failing to identify, the telephone number, address, location, or name associated with any person or device that is accessing or attempting to access 9-1-1 or enhanced 9-1-1 service.
(2) No provider or seller of prepaid wireless service shall be liable for damages to any person resulting from or incurred in connection with the provision of any lawful assistance to any investigative or law enforcement officer of the United States, this or any other state, or any political subdivision of this or any other state in connection with any lawful investigation or other law enforcement activity by such law enforcement officer.
(3) In addition to the liability provisions of paragraphs (1) and (2) of this subsection, the provisions of Code Section 46-5-135 shall apply to sellers and providers of prepaid wireless service.
(l) The prepaid wireless 9-1-1 charge authorized by this Code section shall be the only 9-1-1 funding obligation imposed with respect to prepaid wireless service in this state, and no tax, fee, surcharge, or other charge shall be imposed by this state, any political subdivision of this state, or any intergovernmental agency for 9-1-1 funding purposes upon any provider, seller, or consumer with respect to the sale, purchase, use, or provision of prepaid wireless service.
A service supplier, including any company providing telephone services and its employees, directors, officers, and agents, is not liable for any damages in a civil action for injuries, death, or loss to persons or property incurred by any person as a result of any act or omission of a service supplier or any of its employees, directors, officers, or agents, except for willful or wanton misconduct, either in connection with developing, adopting, implementing, maintaining, or operating any emergency 9-1-1 system or in the identification of the telephone number, address, or name associated with any person accessing an emergency 9-1-1 system.
(a) The governing authority of a local government by resolution shall create an advisory board consisting of the sheriff, representatives from other public safety agencies which respond to emergency calls under the 9-1-1 system, and other individuals knowledgeable of emergency 9-1-1 systems and the emergency needs of the citizens of the local government, provided that such advisory board shall not exceed 13 members.
(b) The advisory board shall assist the local government in:
(1) Reviewing and analyzing the progress by public safety agencies in developing 9-1-1 system requirements;
(2) Recommending steps of action to effect the necessary coordination, regulation, and development of a 9-1-1 system;
(3) Identifying mutual aid agreements necessary to effect the 9-1-1 system;
(4) Assisting in the promulgation of necessary rules, regulations, operating procedures, schedules, and other such policy and administrative devices as shall be deemed necessary and appropriate; and
(5) Providing other services as may be deemed appropriate by the local government.
(c) The members of the advisory board shall not be compensated from moneys deposited into the Emergency Telephone System Fund.
This part shall not be construed as affecting the jurisdiction or powers of the Public Service Commission to establish rates, charges, or tariffs.
(a)(1) By proper resolution of the local governing bodies, an authority may be created and activated by:
(A) Any two or more municipal corporations;
(B) Any two or more counties; or
(C) One or more municipal corporations and one or more counties.
(2) The resolutions creating and activating a joint authority shall specify the number of members of the authority, the number to be appointed by each participating county or municipal corporation, their terms of office, and their residency requirements.
(3) The resolutions creating and activating joint authorities may be amended by appropriate concurrent resolutions of the participating governing bodies.
(b) The public authority shall be authorized to contract with the counties or municipalities which formed the authority to operate an emergency 9-1-1 system for such local governments throughout the corporate boundaries of such local governments. Pursuant to such contracts, the local governments shall be authorized to provide funding to the authority from the Emergency Telephone System Fund maintained by each local government. No authority shall be formed until each local government forming the authority has imposed a monthly 9-1-1 charge or a monthly wireless enhanced 9-1-1 charge.
(c) Each authority shall have all of the powers necessary or convenient to carry out and effectuate the purposes and provisions of this part, including, but without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the power:
(1) To bring and defend actions;
(2) To adopt and amend a corporate seal;
(3) To make and execute contracts and other instruments necessary to exercise the powers of the authority;
(4) To receive and administer gifts, grants, and devises of any property;
(5) To operate emergency call answering services for law enforcement, emergency management, fire, and emergency medical service agencies 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year;
(6) To acquire, by purchase, gift, or construction, any real or personal property desired to be acquired to operate the emergency 9-1-1 system;
(7) To sell, lease, exchange, transfer, assign, pledge, mortgage, dispose of, or grant options for any real or personal property or interest therein for any such purposes; and
(8) To mortgage, convey, pledge, or assign any properties, revenues, income, tolls, charges, or fees owned or received by the authority.
(d) The authority shall elect a chairperson and such other officers as deemed necessary by the authority. The authority shall select a director who shall be responsible for establishing operating standards and procedures and overseeing the operations of the emergency 9-1-1 system. The director may be an employee working in the operation of the emergency 9-1-1 system. The authority shall be responsible for hiring, training, supervising, and disciplining employees working in the operation of the emergency 9-1-1 system. An appropriate number of full-time and part-time employees shall be hired to operate the emergency 9-1-1 system. The authority shall determine the compensation of such employees and shall be authorized to provide other employee benefits. The authority shall submit its annual budget and a report of its financial records to the local governments which created the authority.
(e) The authority may contract with a service supplier in the same manner that local governments are so authorized under the provisions of this part.
(f) Notwithstanding subsection (i) of Code Section 46-5-134, if the joint authority and each local governing body activating the joint authority certify to the service provider in writing prior to the end of the 18 month period in advance of the date on which the 9-1-1 system was to have become fully operational that the system cannot be placed in operation on the date originally projected but that all parties are proceeding in a diligent and timely fashion to implement such service, the service provider shall continue to collect the monthly 9-1-1 charge for an additional period of 18 months or until the 9-1-1 system becomes fully operational, whichever occurs first.
(g) It is found, determined, and declared that the creation of the authority and the carrying out of its corporate purposes are in all respects for the benefit of the people of this state and constitute a public purpose, and the authority shall be performing an essential governmental function in the exercise of the power conferred upon it by this Code section. This state covenants that the authority shall be required to pay no taxes or assessments upon any of the property acquired or leased by it or under its jurisdiction, control, possession, or supervision, or upon its activities in the operation or maintenance of the buildings erected or acquired by it, or upon any fees, rentals, or other charges for the use of such buildings, or upon other income received by the authority. The exemption provided in this Code section shall include an exemption from state and local sales and use tax on property purchased by the authority for use exclusively by the authority.
(a) Notwithstanding any provision of paragraph (1) of subsection (a) of Code Section 46-5-134 to the contrary, where two or more counties, none of which offers emergency 9-1-1 system services on May 1, 1998, and any participating municipalities within such counties, if any, agree by intergovernmental contract to initiate or contract for the joint operation of an emergency 9-1-1 system for the first time after May 1, 1998, such local governments may impose a monthly 9-1-1 charge which exceeds $1.50 per telephone service but only so long as the following procedure shall be followed:
(1) The participating local governments shall, with input from a telephone service supplier, prepare an estimated budget for the implementation of the joint emergency 9-1-1 system with costs limited to items eligible for funding through the Emergency Telephone System Fund;
(2) An estimate of the revenue to be generated by the 9-1-1 charge authorized by paragraph (1) of subsection (a) of Code Section 46-5-134 during the first 18 months of collection shall be prepared;
(3) If the total amount necessary for implementation of the emergency 9-1-1 system in paragraph (1) of this subsection exceeds the estimated revenue from imposition of the 9-1-1 charge specified in paragraph (2) of this subsection, the monthly 9-1-1 charge per telephone service may be increased on a pro rata basis during the first 18 months of collection to the extent necessary to provide revenue sufficient to pay the amount specified in paragraph (1) of this subsection, but in no case shall such monthly charge be greater than $2.50 per telephone service. Notwithstanding subsection (i) of Code Section 46-5-134, if each local governing body which is a party to an intergovernmental contract certifies to the service provider in writing prior to the end of the 18 month period in advance of the date on which the 9-1-1 system was to have become fully operational that the system cannot be placed in operation on the date originally projected but that all parties are proceeding in a diligent and timely fashion to implement such service, the service provider shall continue to collect the monthly 9-1-1 charge for an additional period of 18 months or until the 9-1-1 system becomes fully operational, whichever occurs first; and
(4) Such local governments shall comply with the requirements of Code Section 46-5-133 which relate to the imposition of a monthly 9-1-1 charge.
Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to authorize the imposition of any charge upon a wireless service. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the requirements of Code Section 46-5-134 which relate to monthly 9-1-1 charges on telephone services shall apply to charges imposed pursuant to this subsection.
(b) The increased monthly 9-1-1 charge authorized by subsection (a) of this Code section shall also be available to any joint 9-1-1 authority created pursuant to Code Section 46-5-138 after May 1, 1998.
(a) As used in this Code section, the term “director” means any person having direct operational control of a public safety answering point, any person who has as part of his or her duties supervisory responsibility for one or more communication officers or other employees who answer 9-1-1 calls received by a public safety answering point, or any person who has system management responsibility for the public safety answering point.
(b) In addition to any training required under federal or state law, any persons becoming a director on or after January 1, 2024, shall enroll in, attend, and complete satisfactorily a course of training and instruction on the management of public safety answering points and the establishment and operation of 9-1-1 systems. Such course of instruction for directors shall be developed and made available by the center subject to the availability and receipt of funding.
This article shall be known and may be cited as “The Telecommunications and Competition Development Act of 1995.”
(a) The General Assembly finds:
(1) It is in the public interest to establish a new regulatory model for telecommunications services in Georgia to reflect the transition to a reliance on market based competition as the best mechanism for the selection and provision of needed telecommunications services at the most efficient pricing;
(2) Investment in the telecommunications infrastructure required to further economic growth in Georgia and to meet the growing demands of Georgia's consumers will be encouraged through competition; and
(3) In order to ensure the implementation of this new reliance on market based competition, any legislative obstacles to competition for local exchange services must be removed.
(b) It is the intent of this article to:
(1) Permit local exchange companies to elect alternative forms of regulation;
(2) Protect the consumer during the transition to a competitive telecommunications market;
(3) Assure reasonable cost for universal access to basic telecommunications services throughout Georgia;
(4) Encourage investment in Georgia's telecommunications infrastructure and encourage the introduction of innovative products and services for Georgia's consumers;
(5) Authorize competition for local exchange services; and
(6) Allow pricing flexibility for all telecommunications services other than basic local exchange services.
As used in this article, the term:
(1) “Alternative regulation” means a form of regulation pursuant to which the rates, terms, and conditions for telecommunications services provided by a local exchange company are set pursuant to the rules specified in this article.
(2) “Basic local exchange services” or “universal access local exchange services” mean the provision to residential and single line business customers in Georgia of services composed of a touch tone switched access line and dial tone, of a quality sufficient for two way voice and 9600 baud data/fax communications. This service shall include 1+ dialing for access to competitive providers of telecommunications services by January 1, 1997. The elements of universal access local exchange services are subject to subsequent review and modification by the commission.
(3) “Caller identification service” means a type of telephone service which permits telephone customers to see the telephone number of incoming telephone calls.
(4) “Commission” means the Georgia Public Service Commission.
(5) “Electing company” means a local exchange company subject to the alternative regulation described in this article.
(6) “Fund” means the Universal Access Fund created in Code Section 46-5-167.
(7) “Gross domestic product-price index” or “GDP-PI” means the gross domestic product fixed weight price index calculated by the United States Department of Commerce.
(8) “Interconnection service” means the service of providing access to a local exchange company's facilities for the purpose of enabling another telecommunications company to originate or terminate telecommunications service.
(9) “Local calling area” means the geographic area encompassing one or more local exchanges as described in commission orders or in maps, tariffs, and rate schedules reviewed and approved by the commission.
(10) “Local exchange company” means a telecommunications company authorized to provide local exchange service as described in this article. For purposes of this article, there shall be two categories of local exchange companies:
(A) Tier 1 companies are those companies with 2 million or more access lines within Georgia holding a certificate of public convenience and necessity issued by the commission; and
(B) Tier 2 companies are those companies with less than 2 million access lines within Georgia holding a certificate of public convenience and necessity issued by the commission.
(11) “Local exchange services” means services offered for the transmission and utilization of two-way interactive communications and associated usage with the local calling area.
(12) “Local interconnection services” means that part of switched interconnection service provided for the purpose of originating or terminating a call which originates and terminates within the local calling area.
(13) “Portability” means the technical capability that permits a customer to retain the same local number at the same customer location regardless of the provider of the local exchange service.
(14) “Switched access” means that part of switched interconnection service provided for the purpose of originating or terminating a toll service.
(15) “Switched interconnection service” means that part of interconnection service which utilizes the local exchange company's switching facilities to provide line or trunkside access or both to the local exchange company's end office or tandem switches for the purpose of originating and terminating the telecommunications services of other telecommunications companies.
(16) “Tariff” means the schedule or other writing filed with the commission that describes the rates, terms, and conditions of certain telecommunications services provided by the telecommunications company.
(17) “Telecommunications company” means any person, firm, partnership, corporation, association, or municipal, county, or local governmental entity offering telecommunications services to the public for hire.
(18) “Telecommunications services” means the services for the transmission of two-way interactive communications to the public for hire. For purposes of illustration, the term “telecommunications services” includes without limitation local exchange services and interconnection services.
(19) “Toll service” means the transmission of two-way interactive switched communications between local calling areas.
(20) “Universal access provider” means a local exchange company that is obligated to provide basic local exchange service in all of its local calling areas in response to reasonable requests for such service and which, in consideration of such obligation, may have its rates for local switched interconnection service established as provided in this article.
(a) A telecommunications company including a telecommunications services reseller shall not provide telecommunications services without a certificate of authority issued by the commission. The provisions of Code Section 46-5-45 shall apply in circumstances where a telecommunications company is providing telecommunications services without a certificate issued by the commission.
(b) The commission shall have the authority to issue multiple certificates of authority for local exchange services upon a showing to the commission that an applicant possesses satisfactory financial and technical capability. Any certificate existing on July 1, 1995, shall remain effective and shall be considered a certificate of authority under this article. A certificate is not required for a telecommunications company to provide commercial mobile services. The commission shall also have the authority to issue certificates to long distance telecommunications carriers subject to federal court decisions, federal law, and regulations of the Federal Communications Commission.
(c) A showing of public convenience and necessity is not a condition for issuing a competing certificate of authority. Prior to July 1, 1998, only a currently certificated Tier 2 local exchange company may be issued a certificate of authority to compete for service in an area serviced by an existing Tier 2 local exchange company.
(d) Any certificate of authority issued by the commission is subject to revocation, suspension, or adjustment where the commission finds upon complaint and hearing that a local exchange company has engaged in unfair competition or has abused its market position.
(e) The commission shall grant certificates of authority in a timely manner and all such proceedings on complaints regarding abuse shall be resolved in a timely manner.
(f) All local exchange companies certificated by the commission shall be subject to the same rules and regulations applied by the commission to other local exchange companies certificated to provide local exchange services within the same area; provided, however, that in promulgating rules and regulations necessary to implement the provisions of this article, the commission may adopt rules and regulations for local exchange companies certificated after July 1, 1995, which vary from other rules and regulations applicable to the delivery of telecommunications services but which are appropriate and consistent to service being delivered by such local exchange companies and are adopted in the public interest.
(a) All local exchange companies shall permit reasonable interconnection with other certificated local exchange companies. This subsection includes all or portions of such services as needed to provide local exchange services.
(b) The rates, terms, and conditions for such interconnection services shall not unreasonably discriminate between providers and shall be negotiated in good faith between the providers and filed with the commission.
(c) In the event that such rates, terms, or conditions cannot be negotiated by the parties, the commission shall determine the reasonable rates, terms, or conditions for the interconnection services.
(d) Such interconnection services shall be provided for intrastate services on an unbundled basis similar to that required by the FCC for services under the FCC's jurisdiction.
(e) The commission is authorized to allow local exchange companies to resell the services purchased from other local exchange companies pursuant to rules determining when and under what circumstances such resale shall be allowed; provided, however, that the resale of basic local exchange services supported by the Universal Access Fund shall be limited to users and uses conforming to the definition of basic local exchange services set forth in paragraph (2) of Code Section 46-5-162. Any local exchange company or telecommunications company desiring to purchase or to resell services purchased from another local exchange company may petition the commission for the authorization to purchase or to resell such services. In cases where the purchase or resale of services purchased is authorized by the commission, the commission shall determine the reasonable rates, terms, or conditions for the purchase or resale of such local exchange services such that no local exchange company or telecommunications company gains an unfair market position. The commission shall render a final decision in any proceeding initiated pursuant to the provisions of this subsection no later than 60 days after the close of the record except that the commission, by order, may extend such period in any case in which it shall find that the complexity of the issues and the length of the record require an extension of such period, in which event the commission shall render a decision at the earliest date practicable. In no event shall the commission delay the rendering of a final decision in such proceeding beyond the earlier of 120 days after the close of the record or 180 days from the filing of the notice of petition under this subsection. The commission, at its discretion or upon a petition filed by either party, may modify a ruling rendered under this subsection, provided that a petition for modification may not be filed more than once in any 18 month period.
(f) The basic local exchange services of Tier 2 local exchange companies may be purchased by competing providers at the tariffed rate, provided such reselling does not result in the loss of intrastate or interstate revenues to the selling company for the individual service being resold. This subsection does not apply to Tier 2 local exchange companies that have switched access rates that are lower than or at parity with the same local exchange company's interstate switched access rates.
(g) The commission shall have the authority to require local exchange companies to provide additional interconnection services and unbundling.
(a) Any Tier 1 local exchange company may elect to have its rates, terms, and conditions for its services determined pursuant to the alternative regulation described in this article, in lieu of other forms of regulation including but not limited to rate of return or rate base monitoring or regulation, upon the filing of notice with the commission and committing to provide basic local exchange services upon reasonable request and to invest $ 500 million per year for five years to improve and strengthen telecommunications services in Georgia; provided, however, that after the expiration of three years of such investments, the commission shall determine, after notice and opportunity for a Tier 1 local exchange company or other interested parties to be heard, whether such investment commitment should be continued for the remaining two years or whether such commitment should be reduced.
(b) Any Tier 2 local exchange company may elect to have the rates, terms, and conditions for its services determined pursuant to the alternative regulation described in this article upon the filing of notice with the commission and committing to provide basic local exchange services upon reasonable request.
(c) The alternative regulation under this article shall become effective on the date specified by the electing company but in no event sooner than 30 days after such notice is filed with the commission.
(d) On the date a telecommunications company elects the alternative regulation described in this article, all existing rates, terms, and conditions for the services provided by the electing company contained in the then existing tariffs and contracts are deemed just and reasonable.
(a) An electing company, as defined in paragraph (5) of Code Section 46-5-162, shall set rates on a basis that does not unreasonably discriminate between similarly situated customers; provided, however, that all such rates are subject to a complaint process for abuse of market position in accordance with rules to be promulgated by the commission.
(b) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the rates for switched access by each Tier 1 local exchange company shall be no higher than the rates charged for interstate access by the same local exchange company. The rates for switched access shall be negotiated in good faith between the parties. In the event that the rates for switched access cannot be negotiated between the parties, any party may petition the commission to set reasonable rates, terms, or conditions for switched access. The commission shall render a final decision in any proceeding initiated pursuant to the provisions of this subsection no later than 60 days after the close of the record except that the commission, by order, may extend such period in any case in which it shall find that the complexity of the issues and the length of the record require an extension of such period, in which event the commission shall render a decision at the earliest date practicable. In no event shall the commission delay the rendering of a final decision in such proceeding beyond the earlier of 120 days after the close of the record or 180 days from the filing of the notice of petition for determination of rates for switched access that initiated the proceeding.
(c) Beginning January 1, 2011, and ending December 31, 2015, each Tier 2 local exchange company shall adjust in equal annual increments its intrastate switched access charges to parity with its similar interstate switched access rates. The commission shall have authority to govern the transition of Tier 2 local exchange company switched access rates to their corresponding interstate levels and the commission shall allow adjustment of basic local exchange services or universal access funds, as necessary to recover those revenues, based on calendar year 2008, lost through the concurrent reduction of the intrastate switched access rates. In the event that the rates for switched access cannot be negotiated in good faith between the parties, the commission shall determine the reasonable rates for switched access in accordance with the procedures provided in subsection (b) of this Code section. Any Tier 2 local exchange company that is an electing company may elect to become subject to rate of return regulation by certification to the commission of this election no later than December 31, 2010. A Tier 2 local exchange company making this election is prohibited from making a subsequent election to have the rates, terms, and conditions for its services determined pursuant to the alternative regulation described in subsection (b) of Code Section 46-5-165 prior to January 1, 2016.
(d) Beginning January 1, 2011, and ending December 31, 2020, each telecommunications company holding a certificate of authority or otherwise authorized to provide telecommunications services in this state other than a Tier 2 local exchange company shall adjust in equal annual increments its intrastate switched access charges to parity with its similar interstate switched access rates.
(e) In accordance with rules to be promulgated by the commission, any telecommunications company providing intrastate switched access services shall file tariffs with the commission for intrastate switched access services and other applicable services that state the terms and conditions of such services and the rates as established pursuant to this Code section.
(f) The commission shall review the intrastate switched access rates as set forth in subsections (c) and (d) of this Code section and shall report the results of its findings and any actions taken to the General Assembly by or before December 31, 2011. Thereafter, the commission shall include in its annual report to the General Assembly required under Code Section 46-5-174 the status of any intrastate switched access rate changes under this Code section.
(a) The commission shall administer a Universal Access Fund to assure the provision of reasonably priced access to basic local exchange services throughout Georgia. The fund shall be administered by the commission pursuant to this Code section and under rules to be promulgated by the commission as needed to assure that the fund operates in a competitively neutral manner between competing telecommunications providers.
(b) All telecommunications companies holding a certificate of authority issued by the commission to provide services within Georgia shall contribute quarterly to the fund as provided in this subsection. The commission shall determine the manner of contribution using either one or a combination of the following two contribution methodologies:
(1) A charge for each working telephone number; or
(2) A proportionate amount based on each company's gross intrastate revenues from the provision of telecommunications services to end users.
In calculating such contributions, the commission shall allow a local exchange company holding a certificate of authority issued by the commission after July 1, 1995, and before January 1, 2010, with primary headquarters in Georgia and more than 750 full-time employees working in Georgia as of January 1, 2010, to utilize accumulated unexpired Georgia net operating losses for taxable years ending prior to January 1, 2010, on a full dollar-for-dollar basis to reduce up to 50 percent of its contribution to the Universal Access Fund. Within the same tax year of the election, companies making such election shall formally notify the Department of Revenue that the company agrees to forego any rights or claims to the Georgia net operating losses so used. The commission may allow any telecommunications company certified as a competitive local exchange carrier to request a hearing seeking relief from this contribution requirement upon application, demonstration, and good cause shown that such competitive local exchange carrier does not receive a benefit from the reduction in intrastate switched access charges pursuant to subsection (c) of Code Section 46-5-166.
(c) Contributions to the fund shall be determined if, after notice and opportunity for hearing, the commission calculates the difference in the reasonable actual costs of basic local exchange services throughout Georgia and the maximum amounts that may be charged for such services and shall also account for reductions in intrastate switched access charges pursuant to subsection (c) of Code Section 46-5-166.
(d)(1) Nothing in this subsection shall require any Tier 2 local exchange company to raise any of its rates. Nothing in this subsection shall authorize any Tier 2 local exchange company to receive any subsidy from the Universal Access Fund. For purposes of this subsection, the term “subsidy” means any payment authorized by paragraph (2) of this subsection in excess of the intrastate access charge reductions pursuant to subsection (c) of Code Section 46-5-166.
(2) After notice and opportunity for hearing, the commission shall determine the amount of moneys in the fund that shall be distributed quarterly. Such determination shall be made as follows:
(A) Distributions to carriers that have reduced intrastate switched access charges pursuant to subsection (c) of Code Section 46-5-166 shall be limited to an amount reflective of such access charge reductions and shall also be reduced by the amount per access line, which if added to the carrier's basic local exchange service rate, in accordance with a schedule established by the commission, results in an amount that would be equal to 110 percent of the July 1, 2009, residential state-wide weighted average rate for basic local exchange services imputed across all access lines and adjusted annually for inflation measured by the change in GDP-PI. Any distributions pursuant to this subparagraph shall be limited to a period of no more than ten years; and
(B) Except for those distributions to Tier 2 local exchange companies that have reduced intrastate switched access charges pursuant to subsection (c) of Code Section 46-5-166, distributions to a Tier 2 local exchange carrier subject to rate of return regulation shall also be reduced by the amount per access line, which if added to the carrier's basic local exchange service rate, in accordance with a schedule established by the commission, results in an amount that would be equal to 110 percent of the July 1, 2009, residential state-wide weighted average rate for basic local exchange services imputed across all access lines and adjusted annually for inflation measured by the change in GDP-PI. The commission shall determine any such distributions upon application, demonstration, and good cause shown that the reasonable actual costs to provide basic local exchange services exceed the maximum fixed price permitted for such basic local exchange services; any distributions pursuant to this subparagraph shall be limited to a period of no more than 20 years.
(e) The commission shall require any local exchange company seeking reimbursement from the fund pursuant to subparagraph (d)(2)(B) of this Code section to file the information reasonably necessary to determine the actual and reasonable costs of providing basic local exchange services.
(f) The commission shall have the authority to make adjustments to the contribution or distribution levels based on yearly reconciliations and to order further contributions or distributions as needed between companies to equalize reasonably the burdens of providing basic local exchange service throughout Georgia.
(g) A local exchange company or other company shall not establish a surcharge on customers' bills to collect contributions required under this Code section without first submitting to the Public Service Commission the methodology and data used by such company for approval by the commission and upon a showing to the commission that the surcharge does not result in an increase in the company's service rates; provided, however, that such company shall not be required to submit for approval separate line items or surcharges that are specifically authorized or required by federal law or other provisions of state law.
(a) The jurisdiction of the commission under this article shall be construed to include the authority necessary to implement and administer the express provisions of this article through rule-making proceedings and orders in specific cases.
(b) The commission's jurisdiction shall include the authority to:
(1) Adopt reasonable rules governing certification of local exchange companies;
(2) Grant, modify, impose conditions upon, or revoke a certificate;
(3) Establish and administer the Universal Access Fund including modifications to the maximum allowable charge for basic local exchange service;
(4) Adopt reasonable rules governing service quality;
(5) Resolve complaints against a local exchange company regarding that company's service;
(6) Require a telecommunications company electing alternative regulation under this article to comply with the rate adjustment provisions of this article;
(7) Approve and if necessary revise, suspend, or deny tariffs in accordance with the provisions of this article;
(8) If necessary, elect another comparable measurement of inflation calculated by the United States Department of Commerce;
(9) Establish reasonable rules and methodologies for performing cost allocations among the services provided by a telecommunications company; and
(10) Direct telecommunications companies to make investments and modifications necessary to enable portability.
(c) The commission shall render a final decision in any proceeding initiated pursuant to the provisions of this article no later than 60 days after the close of the record except that the commission, by order, may extend such period in any case in which it shall find that the complexity of the issues and the length of the record require an extension of such period, in which event the commission shall render a decision at the earliest date practicable. In no event shall the commission delay the rendering of a final decision in such proceeding beyond the earlier of 120 days after the close of the record or 180 days from the filing of the notice of rulemaking, petition, or complaint that initiated the proceeding.
(d) In conducting any rule-making proceeding under this article, the commission shall consider the following factors:
(1) The extent to which cost-effective competitive alternatives are available to existing telecommunications networks and services; and
(2) Requirements necessary to prevent any disadvantage or economic harm to consumers, protect universal affordable service, establish and maintain an affordable Universal Access Fund, protect the quality of telecommunications services, prevent anticompetitive practices, and prevent abandonment of service to areas where there is no competing provider of telecommunications service.
(e) Subject to any other provision of law protecting the confidentiality of trade secrets, the commission shall have access to the books and records of telecommunications companies as may be necessary to ensure compliance with the provisions of this article and with the commission's rules and regulations and to carry out its responsibilities under this article.
(f) In order to promote economic development and competitive advantage for the State of Georgia, the commission shall have the authority to petition, intervene, or otherwise commence proceedings before the appropriate federal agencies and courts having specific jurisdiction over the regulation of telecommunications seeking to enhance the competitive market for telecommunications services within the state.
A company electing alternative regulation:
(1) Shall comply with orders issued and rules adopted by the commission to implement the express provisions of this article as a condition of obtaining or retaining a certificate of authority under this article;
(2) Shall not refuse any reasonable application for basic local exchange service;
(3) Shall not give any unreasonable preference or advantage to any customer when providing telecommunications services;
(4) Shall not, either directly or through affiliated companies, engage in any anticompetitive act or practice including but not limited to price squeezing, price discrimination, predatory pricing, or tying arrangements, as such terms are commonly applied in antitrust law;
(5) Shall not cross-subsidize nonregulated or alternatively regulated services with revenue created by regulated services;
(6) Shall not give any preference to affiliated companies;
(7) Shall allow the resale of its services. Nothing in this Code section shall restrict a customer from authorizing an agent to order such services on its behalf; and
(8) Shall not be required to seek regulatory approval of its depreciation rates or schedules.
Providers of local exchange services shall have access to local telephone numbering resources and assignments on equitable terms that include recognition of the scarcity of such resources and that are in accordance with adopted national assignment guidelines and commission rules. Additionally, all local exchange companies shall make the necessary modifications to allow portability of local numbers between different certificated providers of local exchange service as soon as reasonably possible after such portability has been shown to be technically and economically feasible and in the public interest.
A local exchange company may not charge a residential customer or single line business for basic local exchange service based on the duration of a call or on the time of day that a call is made; provided, however, that such restriction shall not apply in any case where a customer or business requests charges based on the duration of a call or on the time of day that a call is made. This Code section does not prohibit a local exchange company from offering discounts based on the time of day that a call is made if the company also offers basic local exchange service at a rate permitted under Code Section 46-5-166.
(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this Code section, no telecommunications company shall charge a customer for any service which is provided to the customer by a nonaffiliated third party until such third party has certified to the telecommunications company that the third party has received the customer's written authorization for such charges. When a customer initiates a new type of such third-party service or changes the type or types of such third-party service received, the invoice for such new or changed services must state the charges for such services in a clear, conspicuous, separate, and distinct manner so as to ensure that the customer is aware of the new or changed charges. Any telecommunications company that charges a customer for a service which is provided to the customer by a nonaffiliated third party must provide to such customer the ability to block the nonaffiliated third-party service and any charges associated with such service.
(b) This Code section shall not apply to any transaction between a customer and that customer's selected provider of basic local exchange, inter-LATA, or intra-LATA telecommunications services or initial requests to subscribe to such services; wireless services; requests for a change in a customer's provider of local exchange service or a change in a customer's primary interexchange inter-LATA or intra-LATA carrier; or customer initiated use of abbreviated dialing codes or other pay-per-use services.
A Tier 1 local exchange company shall provide an annual report with quarterly updates to the commission regarding its investment commitment as prescribed in subsection (a) of Code Section 45-5-165. 1 Contributions to infrastructure for distance learning and telemedicine by a Tier 1 local exchange company shall be considered an investment credit toward the required investment commitment of such Tier 1 company.
1 So in Laws 1995, Act 405, § 2; probably should read “46-5-165”.
(a) Any person that obtains an unpublished telephone identification using a telephone caller identification service may not do any of the following without the written consent of the customer of the unpublished telephone line identification:
(1) Intentionally disclose the unpublished telephone line identification to another person for purposes of resale or commercial gain;
(2) Intentionally use the unpublished telephone line identification to solicit business; or
(3) Intentionally disclose the unpublished telephone line identification through a computer data base, on-line bulletin board, or other similar mechanism.
(b) Each intentional disclosure or use of an unpublished telephone line identification is a separate violation. A person other than a corporation who violates subsection (a) of this Code section may be required by the commission to pay a civil penalty of not more than $ 5,000.00. A corporation that violates subsection (a) of this Code section may be required by the commission to pay a civil penalty of not more than $ 50,000.00.
(c) The commission shall promulgate rules to further establish privacy guidelines applicable to telecommunications services.
(d) No provider of telephone caller identification service shall be held liable for violations of this article committed by other persons or corporations.
The commission shall report to the General Assembly annually on the status of the transition to alternative regulation of telecommunications services in Georgia.
This article shall be known and may be cited as the “Telecommunications Marketing Act of 1998.”
As used in this article, the terms “local exchange company,” “telecommunications company,” and “telecommunications services” shall have the same meaning as provided in Code Section 46-5-162; the term “local exchange carrier” shall have the same meaning as “local exchange company”; and the term “long distance service” shall include interexchange inter-LATA telecommunications service and interexchange intra-LATA telecommunications service.
No telecommunications company shall bill for intrastate telecommunications services or solicit intrastate telecommunications services within this state without a certificate of authority from the Georgia Public Service Commission; provided, however, that a certificate is not required for a telecommunications company to bill for or solicit commercial mobile services. If a telecommunications company which is certificated in Georgia uses a rebiller or other entity to render a final bill, then the name of the telecommunications company which is actually providing the telecommunications service, as the name appears on its Georgia certificate, shall appear on the bill, subject to space limitations.
(a) No telecommunications company shall submit to a customer's local exchange company a change order for the customer's primary carrier of local exchange or long distance service which is generated by outbound telemarketing unless and until the order has been confirmed in accordance with one of the following procedures:
(1) The telecommunications company has obtained the customer's written authorization in a form that meets the requirements of Code Section 46-5-184;
(2) The telecommunications company has obtained the customer's electronic authorization, placed from the telephone number or numbers on which the primary carrier of local exchange or long distance service is to be changed, to submit the order that confirms the information described in paragraph (1) of this subsection to confirm the authorization. Telecommunications companies electing to confirm sales electronically shall establish one or more toll-free telephone numbers exclusively for that purpose. Calls to the toll-free number or numbers shall connect a customer to a voice response unit, or similar mechanism, that automatically records the originating automatic numbering identification, records the required information regarding the change of the primary carrier of local exchange or long distance service, and records identifying information about the customer;
(3) An appropriately qualified independent third party operating in a location physically separate from the telemarketing representative has obtained the customer's oral authorization to submit the primary local exchange or long distance carrier change order that confirms and states appropriate data verifying the customer's identity; or
(4) Such other verification procedures as may be specified by the commission in rules or regulations which are consistent with rules promulgated by the Federal Communications Commission pursuant to 47 United States Code Section 258.
(b) All letters of agency, recordings, or other evidence of change orders shall be maintained by the soliciting telecommunications company for at least one year from the date the customer's service was switched. Failure to maintain such records shall constitute prima-facie evidence that consent from the customer was not obtained.
(c) Any telecommunications company's telemarketing or direct mail solicitations or confirmation cards soliciting to change a customer's primary local exchange or long distance carrier shall include the following disclosures:
(1) Identification of the telecommunications company soliciting the change;
(2) That the purpose of the call or confirmation card is to solicit a change of the customer's primary carrier of local exchange or long distance service;
(3) That the customer's local exchange or long distance service may not be changed unless and until the requested change is confirmed in accordance with this Code section and Code Section 46-5-184; and
(4) A description of any charge that may be imposed upon the customer by any party for processing the primary local exchange or long distance carrier change.
(d) Customer requests for other services, such as travel, calling card, or prepaid calling card services, do not constitute a change in the local exchange or long distance carrier.
(e) The requirements of this Code section do not apply to consumer initiated calls.
(f) A request for information by a customer shall not be considered a request for a change of a primary local exchange or long distance carrier.
(a) A telecommunications company relying on a written authorization from a customer for a primary local exchange or long distance carrier change must obtain a letter of agency as specified in this Code section. Any letter of agency that does not conform with this Code section is invalid.
(b) The letter of agency shall be a separate document, or an easily separable document containing only the authorizing language described in subsection (e) of this Code section, having the sole purpose of authorizing a telecommunications company to initiate a primary local exchange or long distance carrier change. The letter of agency must be signed and dated by the subscriber to the telephone line or lines requesting the primary local exchange or long distance carrier change.
(c) The letter of agency shall not be combined with inducements of any kind on the same document.
(d) Notwithstanding subsections (b) and (c) of this Code section, the letter of agency may be combined with checks that contain only the required letter of agency language prescribed in subsection (e) of this Code section and the necessary information to make the check a negotiable instrument. The letter of agency check shall not contain any promotional language or material. The letter of agency check shall contain, on the front of the check in easily readable, boldface type at least as large and as dark as any other on the front of the check, a notice that the customer is authorizing a primary local exchange or long distance carrier change by signing the check. The letter of agency language also shall be placed near the signature line on the back of the check.
(e) At a minimum, the letter of agency must be printed in a type of a size and readability equal to at least 12 point New Roman font and must contain clear and unambiguous language that confirms:
(1) The customer's billing name and address and each telephone number to be covered by the primary local exchange or long distance carrier change order;
(2) The decision to change the customer's primary carrier of local exchange or long distance service from the current telecommunications company to the prospective telecommunications company; and the type of service, whether local exchange, intrastate inter-LATA long distance, or intrastate intra-LATA long distance, to be changed;
(3) That the customer designates the telecommunications company to act as the customer's agent for the primary local exchange or long distance carrier change;
(4) That the customer understands that the customer may select only one primary inter-LATA long distance carrier, one primary intra-LATA long distance carrier, and one primary local exchange carrier for any one telephone number. Furthermore, that the customer understands that the primary inter-LATA long distance carrier may be different from the primary intra-LATA long distance carrier or primary local exchange carrier and that the primary intra-LATA long distance carrier may be different from the primary local exchange carrier. The letter of agency must make clear to the customer whether the customer is selecting the carrier to provide inter-LATA long distance service, intra-LATA long distance service, or local exchange service, or any combination of these services. Any carrier designated in a letter of agency as a primary local exchange or long distance carrier must be the carrier directly setting rates for the customer. One telecommunications company can be a customer's primary inter-LATA long distance carrier, a customer's primary intra-LATA long distance carrier, and a customer's primary local exchange carrier; and
(5) That the customer understands that any primary local exchange or long distance carrier selection the customer chooses may involve a charge to the customer for changing the customer's primary carrier and could involve a charge for changing back to the original primary carrier.
(f) Letters of agency shall not suggest or require that a customer take some action in order to retain the customer's current telecommunications company.
(g) If any portion of a letter of agency is translated into another language, then all portions of the letter of agency must be translated into that language. Every letter of agency must be translated into the same language as any promotional materials, oral descriptions, or instructions provided with the letter of agency.
(a) A customer shall first report any unwanted, unauthorized change of the customer's primary local exchange or long distance carrier to the customer's current primary local exchange or long distance carrier or the commission; and, thereafter, such carrier shall investigate this complaint along with the soliciting local exchange or long distance carrier in order to determine if the change was authorized in accordance with the procedures specified in Code Sections 46-5-183 and 46-5-184. If the customer's current primary local exchange or long distance carrier and the soliciting local exchange or long distance carrier have exhausted all means of making a determination regarding authorization of such change, then they may employ the assistance of the commission in resolving the complaint.
(b) If the soliciting carrier subscribes to an expedited primary interexchange carrier switchback service, no investigation will be conducted by the customer's current primary local exchange carrier unless the customer specifically requests that an investigation be conducted. In these situations, the customer shall be switched back promptly to the former primary long distance carrier at no charge to the customer, consistent with this article.
(c) All local exchange companies shall maintain monthly records of the number of unauthorized changes and expedited switchbacks of a customer's primary local exchange or long distance service carrier and shall report such data to the commission on a quarterly basis within 45 days following the end of the quarter.
(d) Nothing in this Code section shall be construed to require a customer reporting any unwanted, unauthorized change to exhaust any administrative remedy or remedies that such customer may have available by law before filing an action under the provisions of Code Section 46-5-191.
The customer's current local exchange carrier shall initiate action to change the customer back to the prior local exchange or long distance carrier or to another local exchange or long distance carrier of the customer's choice within three business days after a customer's request for such a change.
Telecommunications companies may not engage in any abusive telemarketing act or practice. Each instance of engaging in an abusive act or practice shall constitute a separate violation of this article. Abusive telemarketing acts or practices shall include but not be limited to the following conduct:
(1) Threats, intimidation, or the use of profane or obscene language;
(2) Causing any telephone to ring, or engaging any person in telephone conversation, repeatedly or continuously with intent to annoy, abuse, or harass any person called at that number; and
(3) Engaging in outbound telephone calls to a person's residence at any time other than between 8:00 A.M. and 9:00 P.M. local time at the called person's residence unless such person has consented prior to the initiation of the call.
Any employee, representative, or agent of a telecommunications company who forges a customer's signature on a letter of agency or otherwise falsifies evidence of customer authorization of a change of a primary local exchange or long distance carrier shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. Each instance of such forgery or falsification shall be a separate offense.
Any willful violation of this article is subject to enforcement as provided in Code Sections 46-2-91, 46-2-92, and 46-2-93. In addition, without limiting the scope of Part 2 of Article 15 of Chapter 1 of Title 10, the “Fair Business Practices Act of 1975,” any willful violation of this article shall also constitute a violation of Code Section 10-1-393. Continued willful violations of this article may also constitute grounds for revocation of a telecommunications company's authority or certificate to provide service in Georgia. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained elsewhere in this article, any other activity or conduct engaged in during the course of changing a customer's primary local exchange or long distance carrier which is intended to mislead, deceive, confuse, or perpetrate a fraud or unfair or deceptive act or practice shall constitute cause, within the discretion of the commission, to invoke the penalties or revocation, or both, described in this Code section.
If, after a hearing on a complaint, the commission shall determine that the complainant's selection of a primary local exchange or long distance carrier was switched in violation of this article, the commission may make factual findings regarding the amount of damages suffered by the complainant as a result of the unauthorized switch. Such damages shall be calculated as the amount of the difference between the charges for the unauthorized and the authorized service from the date of the unauthorized switch in the complainant's service.
In the event that the remedies provided by Code Section 46-5-185 fail to restore a person or entity to that person's or entity's selected primary carrier of local exchange or long distance service and fail to reimburse the person or entity for the difference between the charges for the unauthorized and the authorized service, within 90 days of the person's or entity's report of an unwanted, unauthorized change of a primary local exchange or long distance carrier to the carriers or the commission as provided in Code Section 46-5-185, then such person or entity whose primary carrier of local exchange or long distance service has been switched in violation of this article may bring an action to recover damages from the telecommunications company responsible for the violation. The superior, magistrate, and state courts of this state shall have jurisdiction over such actions. Notwithstanding any provision of Code Section 46-2-9 to the contrary, such action may be brought in any county of this state in which the telecommunications company transacts business within 24 months of the date of the unauthorized switch of a primary carrier; provided, however, that the running of the statute of limitations shall be tolled during the 90 day period during which the matter is under investigation pursuant to Code Section 46-5-185. Such action shall proceed in all respects like other civil suits for damages, except that on the trial of such suits any findings of the commission made pursuant to Code Section 46-5-190 shall be prima-facie evidence of the facts stated therein, and damages shall be calculated as three times the amount of the difference between the charges for the unauthorized and the authorized service from the date of the unauthorized switch in the complainant's service. A prevailing plaintiff shall be awarded reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses of litigation incurred in connection with an action brought under this Code section.
(a) Nothing in this article shall be construed to limit or repeal the application of any state or federal law or regulation regarding telemarketing. In addition, nothing in this article shall be construed to limit the application of any such law or regulation to telecommunications companies which engage in telemarketing.
(b) Nothing in this article shall prohibit a telecommunications company from recovering the cost of conducting investigations and reporting unauthorized changes of a customer's primary local exchange or long distance carrier through tariffed charges or through rates filed with the commission which are applicable to the carrier making such an unauthorized charge.
(a) 1As used in this article, the term:
(1) “Breach of telephone records” means the unauthorized acquisition of telephone records that compromises the security, confidentiality, or integrity of that information as maintained by the telecommunications company.
(2) “End user” means any person, corporation, partnership, firm, municipality, cooperative, organization, governmental agency, building owner, or other entity provided with a telecommunications service for its own consumption and not for resale.
(3) “Notice” means:
(A) Written notice;
(B) Electronic notice, if the notice provided is consistent with the provisions regarding electronic records and signatures set forth in Section 7001 of Title 15 of the United States Code; or
(C) Substitute notice, if the telecommunications company demonstrates that the cost of providing notice would exceed $250,000.00, that the affected class to be notified exceeds 500,000 individuals, or that the telecommunications company does not have sufficient contact information to provide written or electronic notice to such individuals. Substitute notice shall consist of all of the following:
(i) E-mail notice, if the telecommunications company has e-mail addresses for the individuals to be notified;
(ii) Conspicuous posting of the notice on the telecommunications company's website, if the telecommunications company maintains one; and
(iii) Notification to major state-wide media.
(4) “Telephone record” means information retained by a telecommunications company that relates to the telephone number dialed by the customer, the number of telephone calls directed to a customer, or other data related to the telephone calls typically contained on a customer telephone bill, such as the time the calls started and ended, the duration of the calls, the time of day the calls were made, and any charges applied. For purposes of this article, any information collected and retained by, or on behalf of, customers utilizing caller identification or other similar technology does not constitute a telephone record.
1 The original contained no subsec. (b).
No telecommunications company may release the telephone records of any end user with a Georgia billing address without the express consent of the end user except with proper law enforcement or court order documentation, as otherwise allowed by law, or by an interconnection agreement that has been approved by the Public Service Commission.
Each telecommunications company shall provide annually to the office of the Attorney General certification that it has established operating procedures for security of telephone records that are adequate to ensure compliance with 47 U.S.C. Section 222 and any rules promulgated thereunder.
No provision of this article shall be construed to prohibit a telecommunications company, vendor, or supplier from obtaining, using, releasing, or permitting access to any telephone record of any end user with a Georgia billing address:
(1) As otherwise authorized or permitted by law or by an interconnection agreement that has been approved by the Public Service Commission;
(2) With the lawful consent of the end user or the end user's designated representative;
(3) As necessary for the provision of services and management of the network, for the protection of the rights or property of the provider, for the protection of end users, and for the protection of other telecommunications companies from fraudulent, abusive, or unlawful use of or subscription to services;
(4) To a governmental entity, if the telecommunications company reasonably believes that an emergency involving the immediate danger of death or serious physical injury to any person justifies disclosure of the information;
(5) To the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, in connection with the report submitted thereto under Section 227 of the federal Victims of Child Abuse Act of 1990;
(6) To the telecommunications company's affiliates, agents, suppliers, vendors, or subcontractors to provide service or billing functions; or
(7) To a court or party to a legal proceeding pursuant to a court order, subpoena, notice to produce, or discovery in that proceeding.
(a) In the event of a breach of a telephone record concerning a Georgia resident, the telecommunications company must provide notice to the Georgia resident immediately following discovery or notification of the breach if such breach is reasonably likely to cause quantifiable harm to the Georgia resident. The notice must be made in the most expedient manner possible and without unreasonable delay, consistent with any measures necessary to determine the scope of the breach and restore the reasonable integrity, security, and confidentiality of the telephone record.
(b) Notwithstanding any provisions of this article to contrary, a telecommunications company that maintains its own notification procedures as part of an information security policy for the treatment of personal information and is otherwise consistent with the timing requirements of this Code section shall be deemed to be in compliance with the notification requirements of this Code section if it notifies the individuals who are the subject of the notice in accordance with its policies in the event of a breach of the security of the system.
(c) The notice required by this Code section shall be delayed if a law enforcement agency informs the business that notification may impede a criminal investigation or jeopardize national or homeland security, provided that such request is made in writing or the business documents such request contemporaneously in writing, including the name of the law enforcement officer making the request and the officer's law enforcement agency engaged in the investigation. The notice required by this Code section shall be provided without unreasonable delay after the law enforcement agency communicates to the business its determination that notice will no longer impede the investigation or jeopardize national or homeland security.
(d) A violation of this Code section constitutes an unfair or deceptive practice in consumer transactions within the meaning of Part 2 of Article 15 of Chapter 1 of Title 10, the “Fair Business Practices Act of 1975.”
This article shall be known and may be cited as the “Competitive Emerging Communications Technologies Act of 2006.”
As used in this article, the term:
(1) “Broadband service” means a service that consists of the capability to transmit at a rate not less than 200 kilobits per second in either the upstream or downstream direction and in combination with such service provide either:
(A) Access to the Internet; or
(B) Computer processing, information storage, or protocol conversion.
For the purposes of this article, broadband service does not include any information content or service applications provided over such access service nor any intrastate service that was subject to a tariff in effect as of September 1, 2005.
(2) “VoIP” means Voice over Internet Protocol services offering real-time multidirectional voice functionality utilizing any Internet protocol.
(3) “Wireless service” means commercial mobile radio service carried on between mobile stations or receivers and land stations and by mobile stations communicating among themselves.
(a) The Public Service Commission shall not have any jurisdiction, right, power, authority, or duty to impose any requirement or regulation relating to the setting of rates or terms and conditions for the offering of broadband service, VoIP, or wireless services.
(b) This Code section shall not be construed to affect:
(1) State laws of general applicability to all businesses, including, without limitation, consumer protection laws and laws relating to restraint of trade;
(2) Any authority of the Public Service Commission with regard to consumer complaints; or
(3) Any authority of the Public Service Commission to act in accordance with federal laws or regulations of the Federal Communications Commission, including, without limitation, jurisdiction granted to set rates, terms, and conditions for access to unbundled network elements and to arbitrate and enforce interconnection agreements.
(c) Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Code section, nothing in this Code section shall be construed to restrict or expand any other authority or jurisdiction of the Public Service Commission.
This article shall be known and may be cited as the “Georgia Telephone Records Protection Act.”
As used in this article, the term:
(1) “Procure” means to obtain by any means, whether electronically or in writing or in oral form, with or without consideration.
(2) “Telephone” means any device used by a person for voice communications in connection with the services of a voice service provider, whether such voice communications are transmitted in analog, data, or any other form.
(3) “Telephone record” means information retained by a voice service provider that relates to a telephone number dialed by the customer or the incoming telephone numbers of calls directed to a customer or other data related to telephone calls typically contained on a customer telephone bill, such as the time the call started and ended, the duration of the call, the time of day the call was made, and any charges applied. For purposes of this article, any information collected and retained by, or on behalf of, customers utilizing caller identification or other similar technology does not constitute a telephone record.
(4) “Voice service provider” means any person, firm, partnership, corporation, association, or municipal, county, or local governmental entity that provides telephone services to a customer, irrespective of the communications technology used to provide such service, including, but not limited to, traditional wireline or cable telephone service; cellular, broadband personal communications service, or other wireless telephone service; microwave, satellite, or other terrestrial telephone service; and Voice over Internet Protocol service.
It shall be a felony, punishable by a fine of not more than $250,000.00, imprisonment for not more than ten years, or both, for a person to do any of the following acts:
(1) To knowingly procure, attempt to procure, solicit, or conspire with another to procure a telephone record of any resident or business of this state without the authorization of the customer to whom the record pertains or by fraudulent, deceptive, or false means;
(2) To knowingly sell, or attempt to sell, a telephone record of any resident or business of this state without the authorization of the customer to whom the record pertains; or
(3) To receive a telephone record of any resident or business of this state knowing that the record has been obtained without the authorization of the customer to whom the record pertains or by fraudulent, deceptive, or false means.
No provision of this article shall be construed so as to prevent any action by a law enforcement agency or any officer or agent of the agency, under color of law, to obtain telephone records in connection with the performance of the official duties of the agency.
(a) No provision of this article shall be construed to prohibit a voice service provider from obtaining, using, disclosing, or permitting access to any telephone record, either directly or indirectly through its agents, vendors, or suppliers, in any of the following circumstances:
(1) As otherwise authorized or permitted by law, including, but not limited to, the sharing of the records with its affiliates or pursuant to the terms of an interconnection agreement or other contractual agreement between voice service providers;
(2) With the consent or approval of the customer or subscriber;
(3) As may be reasonably incident to the rendition of the service or to the protection of the rights or property of the provider of that service or to protect users of those services and other carriers from fraudulent, abusive, or unlawful use of or subscription to the services;
(4) To give access to a governmental entity, if the voice service provider reasonably believes that an emergency involving immediate danger of death or serious physical injury to any person justifies disclosure of the information;
(5) To give access to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, in connection with a report submitted thereto under Section 227 of the federal Victims of Child Abuse Act of 1990, 42 U.S.C. Section 13032; or
(6) Pursuant to a court order or pursuant to a subpoena, discovery request, or notice to produce properly served by any party in a civil action, administrative proceeding, or criminal proceeding.
(b) The provisions of this article shall not apply to a voice service provider, its employees, agents, or representatives who reasonably and in good faith act pursuant to the provisions of subsection (a) of this Code section, notwithstanding any later determination that the act was not authorized.
No private right of action is authorized pursuant to this article.
As used in this article, the term “retail telecommunications service” means the offering of two-way interactive communications for a fee directly to end users. Such term does not include wireless service as defined in paragraph (3) of Code Section 46-5-221 nor does it include the obligations of an incumbent local exchange carrier, as defined by 47 U.S.C. Section 251, pursuant to 47 U.S.C. Sections 251, 252, and 271 and the Federal Communications Commission's rules and regulations implementing such sections.
(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law in this chapter or Chapter 2 of this title except the provisions of Code Section 46-5-252 and the complaint process set forth in subsection (a) of the Code Section 46-5-166, the commission shall not have any jurisdiction, right, power, authority, or duty to impose or enforce any requirement, regulation, or rule relating to the setting of rates or terms and conditions for the offering of retail telecommunications service by a telecommunications company not subject to rate of return regulation.
(b) This Code section shall not be construed to affect:
(1) State laws of general applicability to all businesses, including, without limitation, consumer protection laws, and laws relating to restraint of trade;
(2) Any authority of the commission with regard to consumer complaints; or
(3) Any authority of the commission to act in accordance with federal laws or regulations of the Federal Communications Commission, including, without limitation, jurisdiction granted to set rates, terms, and conditions for access to unbundled network elements, intercarrier compensation, and to arbitrate and enforce interconnection agreements.
(c) Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Code section, nothing in this Code section shall be construed to restrict or expand any other authority or jurisdiction of the commission.
No company providing retail telecommunications service shall impose a separate line item or surcharge on customers' bills to recover any costs of complying with any state law or regulations without first submitting to the commission the methodology and data used by such company for approval by the commission; provided, however, that such a company shall not be required to submit for approval separate line items or surcharges that are specifically authorized or required by federal or state law. No fines or penalties imposed by the commission shall be considered as a cost of complying with a state law or regulation or included in any such separate line item or surcharge, or as a portion thereof.
(a) The power to determine what are just and reasonable rates and charges is vested exclusively in the commission.
(b) The commission:
(1) Shall make reasonable and just rates of freight and passenger tariffs, such rates to be observed by all railroad companies doing business in this state;
(2) Shall make reasonable and just rules and regulations as to charges at any and all points for the necessary handling and delivering of freights, such rules and regulations to be observed by all railroad companies doing business in this state;
(3) Shall make such just and reasonable rules and regulations as may be necessary for preventing unjust discrimination in the transportation of freight and passengers on the railroads in this state;
(4) Shall have the power to make, for all connecting railroads doing business in this state, just and reasonable joint rates as to all traffic or business passing from one of those railroads to another, provided that before applying joint rates to railroads that are not under the management and control of a single company, the commission shall give 30 days' notice to the railroads of the joint rate contemplated and of the manner in which it proposes to divide the rate between the railroads, and shall accord a hearing to any company desiring to object to the rates or the manner of their division;
(5) Shall make reasonable and just rates for the use of railroad cars, no matter by whom owned or carried, carrying any kind of freight and passengers on the railroads; and
(6) Shall make just and reasonable rules and regulations to prevent the giving or paying of any rebate or bonus, directly or indirectly, and to prevent the misleading or deceiving of the public in any manner as to the real rates charged for freight and passengers.
(c) The commission shall have full power, by rule and regulation, to designate and fix the difference in rates of freight and passenger transportation to be allowed for long and short distances on the same or different railroads and to ascertain what shall be the limits of long and short distances.
(d) The commission shall have the power to require the location of such depots and the construction of such freight and passenger buildings as the condition of the railroad, the safety of freight, and the public comfort and convenience may require, upon the giving to such railroad company to be affected thereby the same notice as is provided in paragraph (4) of subsection (b) of this Code section.
The commission shall have power and authority:
(1) To ascertain the cost of construction and the present value of properties in Georgia owned by railroad companies; and to that end, the commission may employ necessary experts;
(2) To prescribe rules with reference to the use, construction, removal, or change of spurtracks and sidetracks, with full power to compel service to be furnished to manufacturing plants, warehouses, and similar places of business along the line of railroads where practicable and where in the judgment of the commission the business is sufficient to justify the same and on such terms and conditions as the commission may prescribe;
(3) To order and compel the operation of sufficient and proper passenger service when in its judgment inefficient or insufficient service is being rendered to the public or any community;
(4) To order and compel the making and operating of physical connections between lines of railroads crossing or intersecting each other or entering the same incorporated city, when in its judgment such connections are practicable and in the public interest;
(5) To fix penalties for neglect on the part of railroad companies to adjust overcharges and losses, or failure to decline to do so, if deemed unjust, in a reasonable time;
(6) To prescribe rules requiring the prompt receipt, carriage, and delivery of freight and the prompt furnishing of cars to shippers desiring to ship freight, and to prescribe penalties for failure to observe such rules, and to prescribe rules and penalties regarding the transfer of cars through yards of connecting roads;
(7) To order the erection of depots and stations where it deems the same necessary and to order the appointment and service of depot or station agents; and
(8) To regulate schedules and compel connections at junction points of competing lines.
(a) It shall be the duty of the commission to investigate the books and papers of all railroad companies doing business in this state in order to ascertain if the rules and regulations of the commission have been complied with, to make personal visitation to railroad offices, stations, and other places of business for the purpose of examinations, and to make rules and regulations concerning such examinations, which rules and regulations shall be observed and obeyed as the other rules and regulations of the commission.
(b) The commission shall have full power and authority to examine any person, including agents and employees of railroad companies, under oath or otherwise, in order to procure the information necessary to make just and reasonable freight and passenger rates and to ascertain whether rules and regulations of the commission are observed or violated. The commission shall have the power to make necessary and proper rules and regulations concerning such examinations, which rules and regulations shall be obeyed and enforced as all other rules and regulations of the commission.
The commission is vested with full power and authority to make, prescribe, and enforce all such reasonable rules, regulations, and orders as may be necessary to compel and require the several railroad companies in this state to receive, receipt for, forward, and deliver promptly to destination all freight of every character which may be tendered or received by them for transportation. In addition, the commission shall have full power and authority to make, prescribe, and enforce such reasonable rules, regulations, and orders as may be necessary to compel and require prompt delivery to the consignee of all freights on arrival at destination.
All contracts and agreements as to freight and passenger rates between railroad companies doing business in this state shall be submitted to the commission for inspection and correction so that it may be ascertained whether or not such contracts and agreements are in violation of the laws of this state, of the Constitution of Georgia, or of the rules and regulations of the commission. All arrangements and agreements whatever as to the division of earnings of any kind by competing railroad companies doing business in this state shall be submitted to the commission for inspection and approval, insofar as such arrangements and agreements affect rules and regulations made by the commission to secure to all persons doing business with such companies just and reasonable freight and passenger rates. The commission may make such rules and regulations as to such contracts and agreements as may be then deemed necessary and proper. Any such agreements not approved by the commission, or by virtue of which rates are charged exceeding the rates fixed by the commission for freight and passengers, shall be deemed to be violations of Article III, Section VI, Paragraph V(c) of the Constitution of Georgia and shall be illegal and void.
The commission, upon complaint, shall inspect any railroad or any part of any railroad in this state. If the railroad is found to be in an unsafe or dangerous condition, the commission shall require the same to be put and kept in such condition as will render travel over the same safe and expeditious. Reasonable time shall be given the railroad authorities in which to accomplish the work or repairs required under this Code section. This Code section shall not limit or affect the liability of railroads in cases of injury or damage to persons or property.
All corporate powers and privileges of railroad companies shall be issued and granted by the Secretary of State upon the terms, liabilities, and restrictions expressed in and subject to all the provisions of this chapter and of the Constitution of Georgia. If by reason of interest in the proposed corporation the Secretary of State is disqualified, the duties required to be performed by the Secretary of State shall be performed by the Commissioner of Insurance.
(a) Any group of ten or more persons who desire to be incorporated as a railroad company shall prepare a petition in writing, addressed to the Secretary of State, in which shall be stated:
(1) The names and residences of each of the persons desiring to form the corporation;
(2) The name of the railroad company they desire to have incorporated, provided that in no event shall the name selected be the name of any existing railway corporation in this state;
(3) The length of the road, as near as can be estimated;
(4) The general direction of the road;
(5) The counties through which the road will probably run;
(6) The names of the principal places from which and to which the road is to be constructed;
(7) The amount of the proposed capital stock;
(8) The number of years the company is to continue in existence;
(9) If the capital stock is to consist of common or preferred stock, the amount of each class and the rights and privileges of the latter over the former;
(10) The location of the principal office of the corporation;
(11) A statement that the incorporators intend in good faith to go forward without delay to secure subscriptions to the capital stock and to construct, equip, maintain, and operate the railroad;
(12) A request to be incorporated under the laws of this state; and
(13) A statement that the incorporators have given four weeks' notice of their intention to apply for said charter by the publication of the petition in a newspaper in which the sheriff's advertisements are published in each of the counties through which the proposed road will probably run (if there is a newspaper in each of those counties), once a week for four weeks before the filing of said petition.
(b) There shall be annexed to the petition an affidavit made by three of the persons forming the company, which affidavit shall state that the names subscribed are the genuine signatures of the persons named therein and that the facts stated in the petition are true to the best of petitioners' knowledge, information, and belief.
(c) The petition thus sworn to shall be filed in the office of the Secretary of State, who shall endorse thereon the date of the filing and record the same in a book to be kept by him for that purpose, which book shall be open for inspection by the public at all times during the office hours of the Secretary of State.
(a) When the petition has been filed with the Secretary of State, he shall issue to the company under the great seal of the state the following form of certificate:
To all to whom these presents may come--Greetings:
Whereas, In pursuance of an Act of the General Assembly of the State of Georgia, approved December 17, 1892, _____ and _____ (naming the persons who sign the petition) having filed in the office of the Secretary of State a certain petition seeking the formation of a corporation to be known as (here insert name), with a capital stock of $ _____, for the purpose of constructing, equipping, maintaining, and operating a railroad from _____ to _____, and having complied with the statutes in such cases made and provided; therefore, the State of Georgia hereby grants unto the above-named persons, their successors and assigns, full authority, by and under the said name of _____, to exercise the powers and privileges of a corporation for the purposes above stated, subject to the provisions of the Constitution of Georgia, and all the laws governing railroad companies of force at the date of this certificate, or that may hereafter become of force, either by constitutional or statute law, or by any rules and regulations of the Public Service Commission of this state, or otherwise, which govern and control the operation of railroads in this state.
In witness whereof, these presents have been signed by the Secretary of State, and to which is annexed the great seal of the state, at Atlanta, Georgia, this _____ day of _____, _____.
(b) Upon the issuance of the certificate, the persons who signed the petition and all persons who shall become stockholders in the company shall be a corporation by the name specified in the petition and certificate and shall possess the powers and privileges granted by, and be subject to the provisions of, this title.
(c) The rights, powers, and privileges granted railroad corporations shall continue for a period no longer than 101 years, unless the corporation is continued by the laws in force at the expiration of 101 years.
(d) Before the Secretary issues the certificate, the petitioners shall pay a fee of $ 100.00 to the Secretary of State.
Before the Secretary of State issues a certificate of incorporation pursuant to Code Section 46-8-42, he shall satisfy himself that all of the requirements of this chapter have been substantially complied with prior to the filing of said petition. Any certificate or duplicate thereof issued under this chapter by the Secretary of State shall be conclusive evidence of the existence of the corporation in all the courts in this state and of compliance with all the requirements of this chapter.
(a) When the certificate of incorporation has been issued, the persons named therein, in case they have not subscribed to the entire capital stock, may open books of subscription to complete the subscription to the capital stock of the company, in such places and after giving such notice as they may deem expedient, and may from time to time receive subscriptions until all of the capital stock is subscribed to.
(b) The capital stock of the company shall be divided into shares of $100.00 each.
(c) The company shall not begin the construction of the railroad until all of the capital stock specified in the petition for incorporation has been subscribed to.
(a) The directors may require the subscribers to the capital stock to pay the amounts variously subscribed by them, in such installments as they may deem proper; and the directors may receive cash or property, either real or personal, at the agreed value thereof, in payment of such installments.
(b) If any subscriber neglects to pay any installment as required by resolution of the board of directors, the directors may direct an action to be brought against him forthwith for the amount of such call or may in their discretion, after 30 days' notice to such stockholder, cause his stock, after such advertisement as may seem to them proper, to be put up at auction and sold to the highest bidder for cash. If the proceeds of sale are less than the amount of the call, the delinquent shall pay the difference; and any surplus over the amount of the call and the expenses of the advertisement and sale shall be paid to him. A new certificate of stock shall be issued to the purchaser, and he shall stand in the same relation to the company as the delinquent would have stood had he not defaulted. Such sale shall be in the city where the principal office of the company may be located, at such time and place as the board of directors may prescribe.
(c) If for any reason it is not practicable to serve such delinquent stockholder with notice of such sale personally or by mail, or if he is a nonresident of this state, notice may be given by publication in any newspaper published in the city where the principal office of such company may be located, once a week for four weeks prior to the date of such sale.
(d) The company may collect from delinquent subscribers by sale of the stock, by civil action, or by both remedies.
(a) When all of the capital stock has been subscribed to, the persons named in the certificate of incorporation or a majority of them are authorized to call a meeting of the stockholders for the purpose of organization, which meeting shall be held in the city in which the principal office of the company is located, and of which meeting every subscribing stockholder shall be given notice. At the meeting, persons holding a majority of the stock subscribed to shall constitute a quorum, and there shall be elected a board of directors of not less than three to manage the affairs of the company. Stock shall be represented at the meeting in person or by written proxy, each share of stock being entitled to one vote, and a plurality of votes cast being necessary to elect, said election to be governed by such bylaws as the company may prescribe, and the persons elected as directors to continue in office until others are elected to fill their places. If for any reason the election is not held at the time appointed, the same may be held at any time thereafter, of which meeting every subscribing stockholder shall be given notice. Notice of any organizational meeting under this Code section shall be effected by giving to each stockholder written notification stating the purpose of the meeting, served upon the stockholder personally or by depositing the notice in the post office, postage prepaid, directed to the stockholder at the post office nearest his usual residence, at least ten days before the meeting.
(b) Directors of railroad corporations shall be natural persons of at least 18 years of age but need not be residents of this state or shareholders of the corporation unless the charter or bylaws so require. The charter or bylaws may prescribe additional qualifications for directors.
(c) Except as provided in subsection (b) of Code Section 46-8-50, the board of directors shall select from their number a president, may elect one or more vice-presidents, and may appoint a secretary, a treasurer, and such other officers and agents as they may deem necessary.
(d) The regular election for directors shall be held annually, and, unless the bylaws otherwise provide, the meeting at which such elections are held may be held within or without the state.
(e) Vacancies in the board of directors occasioned by death, resignation, or otherwise shall be filled in such manner as shall be prescribed by the bylaws of the company.
(a) The board of directors shall have the authority to fix the compensation of directors for services in any capacity unless otherwise provided in the charter or the bylaws.
(b) The board of directors may select or appoint one of their number to be chairman of the board of directors. The chairman of the board of directors or the president may appoint such vice-presidents as he deems necessary and prescribe their terms of office, compensation, and duties when authorized to do so by the bylaws of the corporation.
(c) Unless the bylaws otherwise provide, meetings of the board of directors, whether regular or special, may be held within or without this state. The time and place for holding meetings of the board of directors may be fixed by or under the bylaws, or, if not so fixed, by the board.
(d) Regular meetings of the board of directors may be held with or without notice, as may be prescribed in the bylaws. Special meetings of the board of directors shall be held upon such notice as is prescribed in the bylaws. Unless otherwise prescribed in the bylaws, written notice of the time and place of special meetings of the board of directors shall be given to each director either by personal delivery or by mail, telegram, cablegram, or radiogram at least two days before the meeting.
(e) Notice of a meeting of the board of directors need not be given to any director who signs a waiver of notice either before, during, or after a meeting. Attendance of a director at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting and a waiver of all objections to the place of the meeting, the time of the meeting, and the manner in which it was called or convened, provided that a director may state at the beginning of the meeting any such objection to the transaction of business.
(f) Neither the business to be transacted at nor the purpose of any regular or special meeting of the board of directors need be specified in the notice or waiver of notice of such meeting, unless required by the bylaws.
(g) A majority of the directors present, whether or not a quorum exists, may adjourn any meeting of the board of directors to another time and place. Unless the bylaws otherwise provide, notice of any such adjourned meeting shall be given to the directors who were not present at the time of the adjournment and, unless the time and place of the adjourned meeting are announced at the time of the adjournment, to the other directors.
(h) Meetings of the board of directors may be called as prescribed by the bylaws or, if there is no such provision in the bylaws, by the chairman of the board, or, if there is no chairman, by the president of the company.
(i) Unless the articles of incorporation or the bylaws provide that a different number shall constitute a quorum, a majority of the number of directors fixed by the bylaws, or, in the absence of a bylaw fixing the number of directors, then of the number stated in the articles of incorporation or of the number last fixed by the shareholders, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. In no case shall less than one-third of the total number of directors or fewer than two directors constitute a quorum.
(j) The vote of a majority of the directors present at the time of the vote, if a quorum is present at such time, shall be the act of the board of directors, unless the vote of a greater number is required by the articles of incorporation or the bylaws.
(a) If the charter or the bylaws of a railroad company incorporated under the laws of this state so provide, the board of directors, by resolution adopted by a majority of the full board of directors, may designate from among its members an executive committee and one or more other committees, each consisting of three or more directors, and each of which, to the extent provided in such resolution or in the charter or the bylaws of the corporation, shall have and may exercise all the authority of the board of directors, provided that no such committee shall have the authority of the board of directors in reference to:
(1) Amending the charter or the bylaws of the corporation;
(2) Adopting a plan of merger or consolidation;
(3) The sale, lease, exchange, or other disposition of all or substantially all the property and assets of the corporation; or
(4) A voluntary dissolution of the corporation or a revocation thereof.
(b) The board, by resolution adopted in accordance with subsection (a) of this Code section, may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any such committee, which director may act in place of any absent member at any meeting of such committee.
(c) Unless otherwise provided in the charter or the bylaws, or unless otherwise ordered by the board of directors, any such committee shall act by a majority of its members.
(d) The designation of any such committee and the delegation thereto of authority shall not operate to relieve the board of directors or any member thereof of any responsibility imposed by law.
(a) Unless otherwise provided by the charter or bylaws, any action required by this title to be taken by a railroad company at a meeting of the directors of the corporation, or any action which may be taken at a meeting of the directors or of a committee thereof, may be taken without a meeting if written consent setting forth the action so taken is signed by all the directors, or all the members of the committee, as the case may be, and filed with the minutes of the proceedings of the board or of the committee. Such consent shall have the same force and effect as a unanimous vote and may be stated as such in any articles or any document filed with any official of the state under this title.
(b) Unless otherwise provided by the charter or bylaws, any action required by the shareholders of a railroad company or any committee thereof may be taken at a meeting of the shareholders. Any action which may be taken at a meeting of the shareholders or by a committee thereof may be taken without a meeting if written consent setting forth the action so taken is signed by all the shareholders or all the members of the committee, as the case may be, and filed with the minutes of the proceedings of the shareholders or committee. Such consent shall have the same force and effect as a unanimous vote and may be stated as such in any articles or documents filed with any official of this state under this title.
(a) Any two or more offices provided for by Code Section 46-8-46 may be held by the same person, except the offices of president and secretary.
(b) The charter granted to any railroad corporation under this chapter may provide that all officers or certain specified officers shall be elected by the shareholders instead of by the board of directors.
(c) Unless otherwise provided in the charter, bylaws, or resolution of the board of directors, all officers shall be elected or appointed for a term of office running until the meeting of the board following the next annual meeting of shareholders or, in the case of officers elected by the shareholders, until the next annual meeting of shareholders.
(d) Each officer shall hold office for the term for which he is elected or appointed and until his successor has been elected or appointed and has qualified.
(e) All officers and agents of a railroad company shall have such authority and shall perform such duties in the management of the corporation as may be provided in the bylaws or as may be determined by action of the board of directors not inconsistent with the bylaws.
(f) The chairman of the board of directors or the president of the company shall have authority to institute or defend legal proceedings by or against the company either when the directors are in disagreement or when circumstances require action in the name of the company before a meeting of the board of directors can be called.
(a) A railroad corporation shall have power to indemnify persons, to advance expenses prior to final disposition, and to insure against liabilities and expenses of any proceeding to the full extent permitted by Code Sections 14-2-850 through 14-2-859; provided, however, that such corporation shall comply with the requirements of Code Section 14-2-1621 with respect to reports of such payments to shareholders.
(b) The charter or articles of incorporation of a railroad corporation may, as a matter of election, also set forth a provision eliminating or limiting the personal liability of a director to the railroad corporation or its shareholders for monetary damages for breach of duty of care or other duty as a director, provided that such provision shall not eliminate or limit the liability of a director:
(1) For any appropriation, in violation of his duties, of any business opportunity of the corporation;
(2) For acts or omissions which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law;
(3) For the types of liability set forth in Code Section 14-2-832; or
(4) For any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.
No such provision shall eliminate or limit the liability of a director for any act or omission occurring prior to the date when such provision becomes effective.
All property, whether real or personal, of any stockholder in this state shall be exempt from the debts or liabilities of a railroad corporation, provided that this exemption shall not operate as to the amount of the unpaid subscription of the stockholder to the capital stock of the corporation.
In no case shall a railroad corporation issue bonds or increase its capital stock except by a vote of two-thirds of the capital stock of the corporation represented at an annual or special meeting of stockholders called for that purpose, and after each stockholder has been notified in the manner prescribed by the bylaws. In addition to such notice, there shall be published in a newspaper in the city where the principal office of the corporation is located, once a week for four weeks prior to the meeting, a notice stating that an increase of the stock or an issuance of bonds for the road, or both, will be considered at the meeting. No action contemplated under this Code section as to an increase of stock or the issuance of bonds shall be legal unless there is represented at the meeting, in person or by written proxy, a majority of the stock.
(a) Any railroad company incorporated before December 17, 1892, whether by Act of the General Assembly incorporating the same by name or under the general railroad law of the state, may amend its charter either by adopting the provisions of this title or by extending its corporate existence for a period of 50 years from the time of the expiration of its original charter. When any such company shall so amend its charter, it may retain its original organization and the same amount of capital stock provided for in its original charter, and any other powers and privileges, except exemption from taxation, granted in its original charter, which may not be in conflict with this title or any other law relating to the powers and duties of railroad companies, and such amendments shall be without prejudice to any of its prior rights or contracts. The provisions of this title may also be adopted by any persons owning or operating a railroad in this state as of December 17, 1892, without prejudice to such organization as they may have already effected and without prejudice to their existing contracts and obligations.
(b) Whenever any railroad company desires to amend its charter, or whenever any persons desire to adopt the provisions of this title as provided in this Code section, it or they shall file a petition with the Secretary of State setting forth particularly in what manner it is desired to amend such charter or adopt the provisions of this title. When such petition is filed, the Secretary of State shall issue to the company or persons, under the great seal of the state, a certificate setting forth the manner in which the charter is amended, if the petition is for amendment; or, if the petition is to adopt the provisions of this title, then the Secretary of State shall issue a certificate setting forth that said persons are a body corporate with all the powers, duties, and liabilities provided in this title. Before the certificate shall issue, the petitioner or petitioners shall pay to the Secretary of State the fee provided for in Code Section 14-4-183.
(a)(1) A director shall discharge his duties as a director, including his duties as a member of a committee:
(A) In good faith; and
(B) With the care an ordinarily prudent person in a like position would exercise under similar circumstances.
(2) In discharging his duties, a director is entitled to rely on information, opinions, reports, or statements, including financial statements and other financial data, if prepared or presented by:
(A) One or more officers or employees of the corporation whom the director reasonably believes to be reliable and competent in the matters presented;
(B) Legal counsel, public accountants, investment bankers, or other persons as to matters the director reasonably believes are within the person's professional or expert competence; or
(C) A committee of the board of directors of which he is not a member if the director reasonably believes the committee merits confidence.
(3) A director is not acting in good faith if he has knowledge concerning the matter in question that makes unwarranted the reliance otherwise permitted by paragraph (2) of this subsection.
(4) A director is not liable for any action taken as a director or any failure to take any action if he performed the duties of his office in compliance with this subsection.
(b)(1) An officer with discretionary authority shall discharge his duties under that authority:
(A) In good faith; and
(B) With the care an ordinarily prudent person in a like position would exercise under similar circumstances.
(2) In discharging his duties, an officer is entitled to rely on information, opinions, reports, or statements, including financial statements and other financial data, if prepared or presented by:
(A) One or more officers or employees of the corporation whom the officer reasonably believes to be reliable and competent in the matters presented; or
(B) Legal counsel, public accountants, investment bankers, or other persons as to matters the officer reasonably believes are within the person's professional or expert competence.
(3) An officer is not acting in good faith if he has knowledge concerning the matter in question that makes unwarranted the reliance otherwise permitted by paragraph (2) of this subsection.
(4) An officer is not liable for any action as an officer or any failure to take any action if he performed the duties of his office in compliance with this subsection.
(c) This Code section shall not relieve any director or officer from liability for the payment of taxes.
(a) Any railroad corporation chartered by the Secretary of State and owning and operating in this state any railroad, other than a street railroad, not over five miles long may cease, temporarily or permanently, to exercise its franchises and to perform its duties as a common carrier and may surrender its franchises to the state by order of the commission.
(b) Before any such order under subsection (a) of this Code section shall be granted, such corporation shall file with the commission an application for the same, verified by the affidavit of the president and secretary of such corporation, containing a copy of a resolution adopted by a unanimous vote of the stockholders of such corporation authorizing such application.
(c) The commission shall fix a date for the hearing of such application, and before such date such application shall be published once a week for four weeks in the official organ of each county through which said railroad may run.
(d) The commission shall have authority to investigate fully the matter of such application and to grant such an order if it concludes that the condition of the affairs of such corporation and the public convenience warrant it. No such railroad company shall be allowed to surrender its franchises as provided in this Code section so long as it owes any debts whatever.
A railroad corporation which is organized under the laws of this state and chartered by the Secretary of State and which has surrendered its franchises to the state in accordance with Code Section 46-8-70 or which has sold its property, rights, and franchises to another corporation in accordance with Code Section 46-8-106, and which has satisfied all its outstanding debts and obligations, or which has arranged for all its outstanding debts and obligations to be assumed by the transferee of its property, rights, and franchises, may be dissolved in the manner provided in Code Sections 46-8-72 through 46-8-79.
If the board of directors of a railroad corporation organized under the laws of this state deems it desirable that the corporation be dissolved, the board of directors may adopt a resolution to that effect and may call a meeting of the stockholders having voting powers to consider a proposal to dissolve and to take action upon the resolution so adopted. Such meeting of the stockholders shall be held upon notice given in the manner provided in Code Section 46-8-46 for notice of organization meetings of railroad corporations or upon written waiver of notice. If at such meeting or any adjournment thereof the holders of record of two-thirds of all the stock entitled to vote thereon determine that the dissolution should take place, a petition for dissolution shall be filed in triplicate with the Secretary of State.
(a) The petition for dissolution shall include:
(1) The name of the corporation;
(2) The date upon which its charter was granted;
(3) A statement that it no longer is possessed of any franchises to operate in this or any other state;
(4) A statement that all of its debts, liabilities, and obligations have been satisfied or that such debts, liabilities, and obligations have been assumed by the transferee of its property, rights, and franchises; and
(5) A statement that the transfer or surrender of its franchises has been completed in accordance with an order of the Public Service Commission.
(b) A copy of the stockholders' resolution recommending dissolution shall be certified by the secretary of the corporation and attached to the petition. The petition shall be verified by the president and the treasurer of the corporation.
(c) On filing the petition, the corporation shall pay to the Secretary of State a fee of $100.00 to be deposited by him into the general fund of the state treasury.
When the petition for dissolution is filed, the Secretary of State shall certify one of the copies thereof and shall deliver the same to the corporation, which shall cause the certified copy to be published once a week for four weeks in the official organ of the county in which the corporation has its principal office.
Immediately upon the filing of the petition for dissolution, the Secretary of State shall transmit one copy thereof to the Public Service Commission for investigation.
(a) Upon receipt of the copy of the petition for dissolution, the commission shall immediately investigate or cause an investigation to be made, and shall satisfy itself that:
(1) The surrender of the franchise and charter and the dissolution of the corporation may be allowed without injustice to any stockholder or to any person or corporation having any claim or demand of any character against the corporation seeking dissolution;
(2) That creditors are paid or properly provided for;
(3) That the surrender of the charter and franchises has been authorized by proper corporate action; and
(4) That all requirements of law have been complied with.
(b) Within 30 days after the copy of the petition for dissolution has been filed with the commission, the commission shall issue under its hand and official seal a certificate either approving or disapproving the application, depending upon the results of the investigation, and shall transmit a copy of the certificate to the Secretary of State, who shall enter the same of record in his office. The commission shall also keep on file a duplicate of the certificate in its own office.
(c) If the commission does not approve the application, no order shall be granted by the Secretary of State dissolving the corporation or authorizing the surrender of its charter.
When the copy of the petition for dissolution has been published as required by Code Section 46-8-74, the corporation may apply to the judge of the probate court of the county in which its principal office is situated for certification of the fact of such publication, and the judge shall certify the fact. The certificate shall thereupon be filed by the corporation in the office of the Secretary of State.
When the certificate of the judge of the probate court is filed with the Secretary of State pursuant to Code Section 46-8-77, and when the certificate of the Public Service Commission approving the application is likewise filed with the Secretary of State, the Secretary of State shall pass an order under the seal of the state accepting the surrender of the charter and franchises and dissolving the corporation. The Secretary of State shall record the petition for dissolution, the certificate of approval of the Public Service Commission, the certificate of the judge of the probate court as to the publication, and an order accepting the surrender of the charter and franchises and dissolving the corporation named in the order.
After the order of dissolution has been issued, and after all fees for filing and certificates have been paid, the corporation shall be dissolved and shall have no further existence, except as provided in Code Section 14-4-161.
Any railroad company incorporated under this chapter shall have the power to make contracts with any other railroad company which has constructed or hereafter constructs any railroad within this state for the purpose of enabling the companies to run their roads in connection with each other and merge their stocks, or to consolidate with each other, or to lease or purchase property and to hold, use, and occupy the same in such manner as they may deem most beneficial to their interests, provided that no railroad shall purchase a competing line of railroad or enter into any contract with a competing line of railroad calculated to defeat or lessen competition in this state. Any violation of this Code section shall subject the corporation to all the penalties incident to such violation of the law.
(a) Any railroad company incorporated under this chapter shall have authority to sell, lease, assign, or transfer its stock, property, and franchises to, or to consolidate the same with those of, any other railroad company which is incorporated under the laws of this or any other state or of the United States and whose railroad within this state connects with or forms a continuous line with the railroad of the company incorporated under this chapter, upon such terms as may be agreed upon. Conversely, any such corporation organized under this chapter may purchase, lease, consolidate with, absorb, and merge into itself the stock, property, and franchises of any other railroad company incorporated under the laws of this or any other state or the United States whose railroad within this state connects with or forms a continuous line or system with the railroad of such company incorporated under this chapter upon such terms as may be agreed upon.
(b) Any railroad corporation formed by the consolidation of one or more railroad corporations, organized under the laws of this state or under the laws of this state and any other states, with one or more corporations, organized under the laws of any other state or under the laws of this and of other states, may issue stocks and bonds as provided for in this chapter in such amounts as it may deem necessary for the purpose of paying, or exchanging the same for, or retiring, any bonds or stocks theretofore issued by either of the corporations so merged, purchased, or consolidated, or for any other purpose. Such stocks and bonds may be issued to the amount authorized by the laws of the state under which either of the corporations so consolidated was organized. Any bonds issued by the corporation may be secured by mortgage or trust deeds upon its real or personal property, franchises, rights, and privileges, whether within or without this state.
(c) No railroad company shall make any contract under this Code section with any other railroad company which is a competing line if such contract is calculated to defeat or lessen competition in this state or to encourage monopoly.
All the powers and privileges and the certificate of incorporation of a railroad company shall be forfeited at the expiration of three years from the date of the certificate if at the expiration of those three years the company has not constructed and equipped the road, and is not operating the same, for at least 15 miles, or for the entire length of the road if the same is less than 15 miles long, provided that the Secretary of State, for cause shown, may relieve against any forfeiture provided for in this Code section and extend the time of construction, equipment, and operation of said 15 miles of road, or of the entire length of the road if the same is less than 15 miles long, in favor of any such railroad company. Such relief shall not be granted unless applied for within one year after cause for forfeiture has arisen.
A railroad company organized and incorporated as provided in this chapter shall be empowered:
(1) To cause such examinations and surveys to be made for the proposed railroad as shall be necessary for the selection of the most advantageous route, and, by its officers, agents, servants, or employees, to enter upon the land or water of any person for that purpose, provided that the company shall be responsible for all damage done to such property;
(2) To take and hold such voluntary grants of real estate and other property as may be made to it to aid in the construction, maintenance, and accommodation of said road; but the real estate received by voluntary grant shall be held and used for the purpose of such grant only;
(3) To acquire, purchase, hold, and use all such real estate and other property as may be necessary for the construction and maintenance of said road and of the stations, wharves, docks, terminal facilities, and all other accommodations necessary to accomplish the object of the corporation; and to condemn, lease, or buy any land necessary for its use; provided, however, that to the extent an issue arises over the dimensions of any such acquisition by a railroad corporation or railroad company which occurred prior to 1913, such dimensions shall be determined by reference to the documents evidencing any such transaction and by examining the official map of the railroad filed with the Interstate Commerce Commission pursuant to the Railroad Valuation Act of March 1, 1913, Stat. 701, as amended, and such depictions contained on such official railroad map shall be conclusive as to the dimensions of any acquisition as of the date of such railroad map; provided, further, that each railroad corporation and railroad company shall file and record such official map of the railroad with the superior court for the county in which such land depicted on such official railroad map is situated. Any court of this state shall take judicial notice of the information set forth in any such official map properly filed and recorded by such railroad corporation or railroad company;
(4) To lay out its road, not exceeding in width 200 feet, and to construct the same, and, for the purpose of cuttings and embankments and for obtaining gravel and other material, to take as much land as may be necessary for the proper construction, operation, and security of said road; and to cut down any trees that may be in danger of falling on the track or obstructing the right of way, making compensation therefor as provided by law;
(5) To construct its road across, along, or upon or otherwise to use any stream of water, watercourse, street, highway, or canal which the route of its road intersects or touches, provided that no railroad shall be constructed along and upon any street or highway without the written consent of the municipal or county authorities. Whenever the track of any such railroad shall touch, intersect, or cross any road, highway, or street, it may be carried over or under the road, highway, or street, or cross at a grade level or otherwise, as may be found most expedient for the public good;
(6) To cross, intersect, join, or unite its railroad with any other railroad at any point on its route, or upon the ground of any other railroad company, with the necessary turnouts, sidings, switches, and other conveniences necessary for the construction of said road, and to run over any part of any other railroad's right of way as may be necessary to reach its freight depot in any city through or near which said railroad may run, provided that the crossing of another railroad, either over or under or at grade level or otherwise, shall be at the expense of the company making the crossing, and in such way and manner, and at such time, as not to interfere with the railroad in the operation of its trains or the conduct of its regular business;
(7) To receive and convey persons or property over their railroads by the use of steam, electricity, or any other motive power, and to receive compensation therefor, and to do all things incident to railroad business;
(8) To erect and maintain convenient buildings, wharves, docks, stations, fixtures, and machinery, within or without a city, for the accommodation and use of its passenger and freight business;
(9) To regulate the time and manner in which passengers and property shall be transported, and the compensation to be paid therefor, subject to any law of this state upon the subject, or any rule or regulation governing such matters by the commission;
(10) To borrow such sums of money, at such rates of interest and upon such terms, as the company or its board of directors shall deem necessary or expedient, and to execute trust deeds or mortgages, or both, if the occasion requires, on the railroad in process of construction, or after the same has been constructed, for the amounts borrowed or owed by the company. The company may make such provisions in such trust deed or mortgage for transferring, as security for any bonds, debts, or sums of money secured by such trust deeds or mortgages, its railroad track, depots, grounds, rights, privileges, franchises, immunities, machine shops, roundhouses, rolling stock, furniture, tools, implements, and appurtenances used in connection with the railroad, then owned by said company, or which thereafter it may acquire, as it thinks proper; and all such deeds of trust and mortgages shall be recorded as provided by law for the record of mortgages, in each county through which the road runs, provided that all rights to borrow money, issue bonds or other evidences of debt, and execute trust deeds or mortgages to secure the same shall be exercised within the limitations and in the manner which shall be prescribed by law, and no debt, trust deed, mortgage, or other lien shall be made or created except on terms and conditions similar to those prescribed in Code Section 46-8-53 for the increase of capital stock or the issuance of bonds.
Any railroad company chartered by the General Assembly, and also any person or persons or any company owning or operating a public or private railroad in this state, shall, when necessary to reach minerals, timber, or other materials, have the right to cross any other railroad at grade points or at any other point where such crossing will not obstruct the other road, or, if necessary, by means of a tunnel or bridge, said tunnel or bridge being absolutely secure.
(a) Any railroad company owning or operating a railroad in this state, whether such company is chartered under the laws of this state or under the laws of any other state, is authorized and empowered:
(1) To reconstruct its lines or tracks, to build one or more additional main tracks, to relocate any line or portions of a line, and to build, as a substitute for trestles, embankments upon which tracks may be laid or to widen cuts where necessary for proper construction or maintenance;
(2) For obtaining gravel and other material, to take as much land as may be necessary for the purpose of construction, operation, and maintenance of such road;
(3) To cut any trees that may be in any danger of falling on the tracks or obstructing the right of way, making compensation therefor as provided by law;
(4) To build and maintain such additional depots, tracks, and terminal facilities as may be necessary for the proper accommodation of the business of the company; and
(5) To construct, maintain, and operate tracks for the purpose of connecting two or more lines of railroad operated by the same company not more than ten miles apart.
(b) Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this Code section, no railroad company shall be authorized so to change the location of an existing line as to leave off of the line of railroad to be operated by it any of the passenger or freight stations now existing under the same without the express approval of the commission.
Authority and power are granted to railroad companies to acquire by purchase or gift and to hold such real estate as may be necessary for all of the purposes mentioned in Code Section 46-8-120. If the real estate cannot be acquired by purchase or gift, then it may be acquired by condemnation in the manner provided in Title 22, provided that the right of condemnation under this Code section shall not be exercised until the commission, under such rules of procedure as it may provide, first approves the taking of the property.
The powers and authority conferred by Code Sections 46-8-120 and 46-8-121 are in addition to the powers and authority which railroad companies may have by virtue of their charters or by virtue of the general laws of this state.
(a) Any railroad company may extend its railroad from any point named in the petition for charter or may build branch roads from any point on its line of road. Before making any such extensions or building any such branch roads, the company shall, by resolution of its board of directors, to be entered in the records of its proceedings, designate the route of such proposed extension or branch and advertise the route in all of the counties through which such extension or branch road will run, for the time and in the manner provided by Code Section 46-8-41, and shall file a certified copy of such resolution and advertisements in the office of the Secretary of State, which shall be filed and recorded as are original petitions for charters. As a fee for such filing, the company shall pay to the Office of the State Treasurer $25.00 for each extension or branch road.
(b) Within one year after the filing of the resolution with the Secretary of State, the railroad company shall have the right to begin the construction and equipment of such branch or extension. If the railroad company fails to construct as much as 20 miles within two years, or fails to complete the branch or extension if it is to be less than 20 miles in length, the powers and privileges to do so shall cease.
(c) For the purpose of such extension or branch road, the company shall have all the rights and privileges of condemning or acquiring the rights of way that are provided for constructing and building the main line.
(d) All the provisions of this title relating to the issuance of stocks and bonds for the road authorized under the original petition for incorporation shall be applicable to and control the issuance of stocks and bonds for the proposed extensions and branches.
In the event a railroad company does not procure, by contract, lease, or purchase, the title to the lands, rights of way, or other property necessary for the construction or connection of the railroad and of such branches and extensions as are necessary or proper for the company to reach its freight or passenger depot in any city in this state or as are necessary to reach its wharves, docks, or other necessary terminal facilities, the company may construct its railroad over any lands, any rights of way, or the tracks of other railroads upon paying or tendering to the owner thereof, or to the legally authorized representative of such owner, just and reasonable compensation for said lands or said right of way. If the compensation cannot be agreed upon, it shall be assessed and determined in the manner provided in Title 22.
In all cases where a railroad crosses a highway and the cutting makes a change in the route of any such highway or a change is desirable with a view to easier ascent or descent, the railroad company may take such additional lands for the construction of such highway upon a new route as may be deemed necessary by the directors. In taking property under this Code section, the railroad company shall proceed in the manner provided in Title 22 for condemning rights of way and other property.
No railroad, railroad company, railway company, or person, firm, or corporation operating any line of railway in this state shall be required by the commission, or otherwise, to alter its tracks at any underpass, railroad trestle, or bridge; to alter the grade of any public road or highway at any such underpass, railroad trestle, or bridge; or to otherwise relay or reconstruct any portion of its tracks, or other structures, or any portion of any public road or highway, in order to accommodate any motor vehicle exceeding 12 feet six inches in height.
By July 31, 1976, each railroad company shall erect and continue to maintain a reflectorized railroad crossbuck sign at each grade crossing where a railroad crossbuck sign is required by Georgia law to be erected. Such reflectorized railroad crossbuck signs shall conform to standards established by the Georgia Department of Transportation.
The Georgia Department of Transportation or, with respect to roads under its jurisdiction, the governing authority of a county or an incorporated municipality may bring an action in the appropriate superior court to compel a railroad company from posting reflectorized railroad crossbuck signs, as such duty is imposed by Code Section 46-8-194.
(a) It shall be the duty of the Public Service Commission to designate a standard sign or signs and to require the use of same by railroad companies to indicate crossings of public highways across railroads. It shall be unlawful for any person to use a sign similar thereto for advertising or for any other purpose; and it shall be unlawful to mutilate, destroy, or deface any crossing sign. The county authorities in charge of the roads of any county where a sign is erected contrary to this law shall have the duty of removing and destroying that sign.
(b) Any person who violates this Code section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine not exceeding $50.00 or by imprisonment for a period not to exceed 12 months, or both.
No member of a train crew, yard crew, or engine crew of a railroad common carrier shall be held personally responsible under, or found guilty of violating, any state laws or municipal ordinances regulating or intended to regulate the occupying or blocking of any street, road, or highway grade crossing by engines or passenger or freight cars, upon reasonable proof by the crew member that the occupying or blocking of the grade crossing was necessary to comply with the orders or instructions, either written or oral, of his employer or of the officers or supervisory officials of the company owning the railroad over which the engine or cars are operated; provided, however, that this Code section shall not relieve the employer or railroad company from any responsibility placed upon such employee or railroad company by any such state laws or municipal ordinances.
Upon the application of the president or resident executive officer of any railroad corporation operating and doing business in this state as a common carrier, the Governor may appoint one or more persons as special officers for the protection of the property and interest of such corporation, with powers to make arrests, provided that such special officers must be paid by the corporation applying for such appointment; provided, further, that such special officers shall not receive any compensation from the state or any county thereof.
All special officers appointed and commissioned as provided for in this article shall have throughout the state all the powers, duties, and responsibilities of sheriffs or other law enforcement officers of the state while engaged in the performance of their duties as such railroad officers, except the serving of civil processes.
(a) Every special officer appointed and commissioned under this article shall be a resident of the United States and of good character. Every such officer shall be required to post a good and sufficient bond payable to the State of Georgia in the sum of $1,000.00, conditioned on the faithful performance of his duties.
(b) All appointments and commissions issued under this article shall continue so long as the special officer is employed in such capacity by the railroad corporation. The authority of any person appointed under this article shall immediately cease whenever such person ceases to be an agent, servant, or employee of the corporation applying for the appointment or no longer serves as a special officer of such corporation.
(c) Whenever any railroad corporation no longer requires the services of any special officer so appointed, it shall file written notice to that effect in the offices of the Governor and the Secretary of State.
(d) The appointment and commission may be revoked at any time by the Governor, with or without written notice by the president or resident executive officer of the common carrier applying for the appointment and commission.
All criminal processes served by a special officer shall be returned by him to the county from which the same originated.
In all cases where an individual is injured, or his property damaged or destroyed, by the carelessness, negligence, or improper conduct of any railroad company or an officer, agent, or employee of such company, in or by the running of the cars or engines of the company, such company shall be liable to pay damages to anyone whose person or property may be so injured, damaged, or destroyed, notwithstanding any bylaws, rules, regulations, or notices which may be made, passed, or given by such company and which purport to limit the company's liability.
No person shall recover damages from a railroad company for injury to himself or his property where the same is done by his consent or is caused by his own negligence, provided that if the complainant and the agents of the company are both at fault, the former may recover, but the damages shall be diminished by the jury in proportion to the amount of fault attributable to him.
In all actions against railroad companies for damages to persons or property, proof of injury inflicted by the running of locomotives or cars of such companies shall be prima-facie evidence of the lack of reasonable skill and care on the part of the servants of the companies in reference to such injury.
The lessees of any railroad or the company having possession of the railroad shall be liable to an action of any kind in the same court or jurisdiction as were the lessors or owners of the railroad before the lease.
When any person is sued as the lessee of a railroad, service of a petition, summons, or other process may be effected by delivering a copy thereof to the depot agent or other officer of such lessee in the county where the action is pending, or by leaving a copy at the place where the usual and ordinary public business of such lessee in said county is transacted.
Whenever any railroad company incorporated under the laws of this state or whose line of road may extend into this state has leased its line of road to any person and such lessee is in possession of the road, service on such lessor company may be perfected by delivering a copy of the summons and complaint to the president or other officer of the lessor company; provided, however, that if service cannot be had in this manner, then service may be made upon such company by delivering to the Secretary of State two copies of the summons and complaint, one copy of which shall be mailed by the Secretary of State to the lessor company at its last known address according to the Secretary of State. In addition, the plaintiff shall cause a copy of the summons and complaint to be served upon the lessee by the sheriff of the county where the action is brought or by his deputy or by the marshal or his deputy.
If the residence of the president of the lessor company is unknown to the plaintiff and his attorney, an affidavit showing the fact, filed with the Secretary of State, together with the petition, shall be sufficient, instead of the notice to the president required in Code Section 46-8-312, provided that the plaintiff shall not be compelled to bring an action against any such lessor and give the notice as provided in this Code section, but may do so at his option; but when such notice is given to the lessor, the judgment rendered in said action shall be as binding upon the lessor as though service had been made as provided by law for service upon railroad companies.
Actions may be brought against receivers, trustees, assignees, and other like officers operating railroads in this state, in the same county, and service may be perfected by serving them or their agents in the same manner, as if the action had been brought against the corporation whose property or franchise is being operated by them. All such actions may be brought without leave to sue first having been obtained from any court.
As used in this article, the term “interurban railroads” means railroads which are operated by gas or electricity and which run from, into, and between cities.
All of the provisions of this title regarding the incorporation, control, and management of railroad companies in general shall also apply to interurban, suburban, and street railroad companies, insofar as such provisions are applicable and appropriate thereto. Any group of at least ten persons who desire to be incorporated as an interurban, suburban, or street railroad company may form a corporation in the same manner as provided for the formation of other railroad companies, with the additional requirement that they shall in their petition specify in what cities, and in what streets thereof, they propose to construct and build the railroad, provided that no street railroad or interurban railroad incorporated under this chapter shall be constructed within the limits of any incorporated city without the consent of the corporate authorities; provided, further, that all railroad companies incorporated under this chapter shall be subject to all just and reasonable rules and regulations by the corporate authorities and shall be liable for all assessments and other lawful burdens that may be imposed upon them with reference to the railroad or the portion thereof located within the limits of the municipal corporation; provided, further, that only such powers and franchises as are conferred on other railroad companies by this title shall belong to interurban, suburban, or street railroad companies, as shall be necessary and appropriate thereto, and such other provisions of this title as apply to other railroads located outside of urban or suburban areas shall apply to interurban, suburban, and street railroad companies insofar as that portion of their roads is concerned.
(a) Any corporation owning or operating a street, suburban, or interurban railroad in this state shall have the right to increase its capital stock from time to time.
(b) In no case shall an increase of capital stock be made except by a vote of two-thirds of the outstanding capital stock entitled to vote by the terms of the charter, represented either in person or by proxy at an annual or special meeting of stockholders called for the purpose and after each stockholder has been notified in the manner, if any, prescribed for giving notice of stockholders' meetings in the bylaws of the corporation. In addition to such notice, there shall be published in some newspaper in the town or city where the principal office of the corporation is located, once a week for four weeks prior to the time of holding said meeting, a notice stating that at such meeting an increase of the stock of the company will be considered.
(a) Any street, suburban, or interurban railroad company may use electricity, gasoline, or gas in propelling its engines or cars, running machinery, and for other purposes.
(b) Any such company may operate gas and electric plants and generate and furnish gas and electric light, heat, and power to any county or city and also to companies and private citizens, and may charge and collect reasonable compensation for the same, to be fixed and determined by the commission.
(c) Any street, suburban, or interurban railroad company may buy, own, hold, lease, and use such property as may be necessary or convenient in the exercise of the powers granted by this Code section.
By vote of a majority of the outstanding capital stock, any corporation formed under the laws of this state for the purpose of operating by electricity a street railroad, suburban railroad, or interurban railroad, or for the purpose of generating electricity, may guaranty; purchase or otherwise acquire; own; hold; mortgage; pledge; sell; assign; and transfer or otherwise dispose of all of its capital stock, bonds, securities, or other evidence of indebtedness and may issue its bonds and stock in payment thereof. Any electric railroad corporation organized under the laws of this or any adjacent state for the purpose of connecting its railroad, constructed or about to be constructed, with any railroad constructed by any other electric railroad company, or for the purpose of obtaining motive power for its operation, may acquire, by lease, purchase, merger, or consolidation, the property, rights, and franchises of any other electric railroad corporation, or of any corporation formed for the purpose of generating electricity, organized under the laws of this or any adjacent state; and any railroad or electric corporation organized under the laws of this state is authorized in any such case to dispose, in like manner, of its property, rights and franchises. No act shall be deemed authorized under this Code section which is inhibited by any provision of the Constitution of Georgia or by any provision of the Constitution or statutes of the United States, or which has the effect or is intended to have the effect of defeating or lessening competition or of encouraging monopoly.
(a) No guaranty or acquisition of stock, securities, property, rights, or franchises of any corporation shall become effective under Code Section 46-8-334 until the expiration of 30 days from the authorization of such guaranty or acquisition by the stockholders.
(b) If any stockholder who does not vote in favor of such action files with the secretary of the corporation, within 30 days of the authorization by the other stockholders, his written disapproval thereof, no such guaranty or acquisition shall become effective until the ascertainment and payment of the award provided for in this Code section. If such disapproval is so filed, either the dissenting stockholder or the corporation may, within ten days thereafter, apply by petition to the commission, on 15 days' notice, for an adjudication by the commission as to whether the action so authorized is for the public benefit. If the commission does not find that such action is for the public benefit, the guaranty or acquisition shall not become effective unless the consent of all of the other stockholders is given thereto within 30 days after the report of the findings of the commission. If the commission finds that such action is for the public benefit, the value of the stock of the dissenting stockholder, without regard to appreciation or depreciation thereof in consequence of such action, shall be ascertained by a proceeding to be held in the county of the principal office of the corporation and thereafter paid to such dissenting stockholder, all in accordance with Title 22, so far as such title may be applicable; and thereupon the dissenting stockholder shall transfer his stock to the corporation, to be disposed of by the directors or to be retained for the benefit of the remaining stockholders.
(a) Before any acquisition under Code Section 46-8-334 of the physical property, rights, and franchises of any corporation shall become effective, the directors of the selling and purchasing corporations shall enter into a joint agreement prescribing the terms and conditions of the transaction; the name by which the purchasing or consolidated corporation shall be known; the number, names, and places of residence of the first directors and the officers thereof (who shall hold their offices until their successors have been chosen or appointed); the number of the shares of the capital stock, whether common or preferred, and the amount or par value of each share thereof, of such purchasing or consolidated corporation; and all such other provisions and details as such first-mentioned directors shall deem necessary to perfect such acquisition.
(b) The agreement shall thereafter be considered by the stockholders of each of the corporations. If the agreement is ratified by a vote of a majority of the stock of each of the corporations, that fact shall be certified upon the agreement by the secretaries of the respective corporations, under the seals thereof; and the agreement so adopted, ratified, and certified shall be filed in the office of the Secretary of State.
(c) If the Secretary of State is satisfied that Code Sections 46-8-334 and 46-8-335 have been complied with in relation to such acquisition, and that the acquisition is not inhibited by any provision of the Constitution of Georgia or of the Constitution and statutes of the United States, he shall thereupon issue his certificate that said corporations have complied with said Code sections and that such purchasing or consolidated corporation shall thenceforth constitute a corporation by the name provided in the agreement.
(d) After the issuance of the certificate by the Secretary of State, the purchasing or consolidated corporation shall be possessed of all the rights, privileges, powers, and franchises, of both a public and a private nature, and be subject to all the duties and liabilities, debts, and obligations of each of the corporations participating in the agreement; and said certificate of the Secretary of State, or a duplicate thereof duly certified, shall be conclusive evidence of the existence of such corporation in all the courts of this state.
The consolidated corporation formed pursuant to Code Sections 46-8-334 through 46-8-336 shall have authority to issue its bonds, notes, and other evidences of indebtedness and to secure the same by mortgage or deed of trust, or otherwise, upon all its property or franchises, for any corporate purpose, within the limitations and in the manner prescribed by the laws of this state.
Any company that extends its railroad into an adjoining state shall not be required to pay to this state or to any county or municipality herein any taxes with respect to so much of the property or capital stock of such company as is situated or employed in the adjoining state.
Street, suburban, and interurban railroad companies incorporated under the laws of this state shall have the authority to furnish steam for heating and power purposes to any person within the limits of the counties in which such companies operate, with authority to charge and collect reasonable compensation for the same and with full power to do any and all things necessary or convenient to carry into full effect the authority conferred by this Code section, and to use the streets and public places to lay and maintain their pipes and other appliances for conveying and distributing such steam, provided that before any such company shall be entitled to use any of the streets of any city in this state, the consent of such city shall be obtained.
Any street, suburban, or interurban railroad company may furnish free transportation, over its lines operated in any city, to the members of that city's police force and fire, sanitary, and water departments, if that city has a regularly organized police force and fire, sanitary, and water departments; to city marshals and their deputies; and to police officers of the county in which that city is located. Nothing in this Code section shall authorize any such company to grant individual members of such municipal and county forces and departments any transportation or other special privilege not participated in by all of the members thereof on like terms and under like conditions. All grants or concessions made pursuant to this Code section shall be made to the governing authority of such city, for and in behalf of the members of such municipal and county forces and departments and shall be formally accepted by such authority.
All street, suburban, and interurban railroad companies may lease or sell their roads, franchises, and other property to any other company created under the laws of this state for street, suburban, or interurban railroad purposes; and their franchises and property so sold shall remain liable, in the hands of the lessee or purchaser, for all debts or claims against the company making the conveyance. Nothing in this Code section shall be construed to authorize any such company to sell, lease, or otherwise dispose of any of its property or franchises so as to defeat or lessen competition or to encourage monopoly.
(a) All street, suburban, or interurban railroad companies incorporated under the laws of this state shall have the power to purchase, acquire, own, hold, lease, operate, mortgage, sell, assign, transfer, pledge, or otherwise dispose of motor buses or trackless trolleys; to purchase, acquire, own, hold, mortgage, sell, assign, transfer, pledge, or otherwise dispose of the capital stock, bonds, or other securities or evidences of indebtedness of corporations organized to own and operate motor buses or trackless trolleys; to issue their own capital stock or bonds or other securities in payment therefor; and, while they are the owners of such stock in such companies, to exercise all the rights of stockholders, provided that nothing in this Code section shall be construed to confer upon any person any exclusive or irrevocable right or franchise to operate motor buses or trackless trolleys upon the public highways of this state or upon the public streets, lanes, or alleys of any municipality. Such person shall, in regard to the operating of such motor buses and trackless trolleys, be subject, in addition to its occupation or other taxes or assessments, to the same occupation or other taxes as are those persons engaged exclusively in the business of operating motor buses or trackless trolleys. This Code section shall not be construed to confer any right to use the public streets, lanes, or alleys of any municipality without the consent of such municipality; and such municipality shall have no authority to confer any irrevocable right to such companies to use such public streets, lanes, or alleys.
(b) Any motor buses and trackless trolleys when operated by any such railroad company shall be subject to the rules and regulations of the commission, provided that trackless trolleys shall be classed as streetcars and the operations thereof shall be subject to the same municipal ordinances, rules, and regulations, and the vehicles and structures incident to the operations thereof shall be subject to the same state, county, municipal, and school district taxes that apply to the operation of streetcars. Such taxes shall be allocated among counties, municipalities, and school districts served on the same basis as is required of street railroads by law.
(c) Nothing in this Code section shall be construed to modify Code Section 46-8-343, relating to substitution by street, suburban, or interurban railroad companies of trackless trolleys for rail systems in parts thereof. Nothing in this Code section shall be construed to impair any valid contract or ordinance contract existing between any municipality and any street, suburban, or interurban railroad company as of March 27, 1941. The commission shall not have the power or authority to increase or authorize the increase of, in regard to trackless trolley service, fares which have been fixed prior to March 27, 1941, by contract or ordinance contract on the lines on which trackless trolleys may be substituted pursuant to Code Section 46-8-343. Such fares shall in all respects appertain and apply to such substituted service when inaugurated.
Any company owning, leasing, or operating street railroads, suburban railroads, or interurban railroads in this state shall, by virtue of this Code section, and without any action on the part of the commission, have the right and privilege of substituting what are known as trackless trolleys on any part or line of its railroad system, provided that consent thereto is obtained from each municipality affected by any such proposed substitution, which consent on the part of any municipality shall not be construed to impair any valid existing contract or ordinance contract now in existence between any such municipality and any such company; provided, further, that nothing in this Code section shall be construed to impair any valid existing contract or ordinance contract now in existence between any such municipality and any such company; provided, further, that the commission shall not have the power or authority to increase or authorize the increase of, in regard to such substituted service, fares which have been fixed prior to March 30, 1937, by contract or ordinance contract on the line or lines on which such trackless trolleys may be so substituted, which fares shall in all respects appertain and apply to such substituted service when thus inaugurated.
Any electric street, suburban, or interurban railroad company which is incorporated under the laws of Georgia and which, in pursuance of the laws of this state, in addition to operating street, suburban, or interurban railroad and bus transportation facilities, is engaged in the operation of electric generating plants for the purpose of supplying motive power for the operation of its railroad and for the production, distribution, and sale of electricity for light, heat, and power purposes in the area served may sell and dispose of its railroad and bus transportation service and equipment, its railroad and bus franchises, and may continue its corporate existence and the operation of its electric power plants and facilities for the production, distribution, and sale of electricity for light, heat, and power purposes under the charter granted to it as a street, suburban, and interurban railroad corporation to the date of expiration of such charter, notwithstanding the sale or other disposition of its railroad and bus properties and franchises.
Any electric street, suburban, or interurban railroad corporation which desires to avail itself of the provisions of Code Section 46-8-344 shall, before consummating such sale or other disposition of its railroad and bus properties and franchises:
(1) Secure the consent of the mayor and council or other governing body of the municipality served by such railroad and bus transportation facilities to the sale or other disposition of the railroad and bus properties and franchises, such consent to be evidenced by a certified copy of a resolution or an ordinance of such governing body;
(2) Apply by petition to the commission on 15 days' notice for an adjudication, after a public hearing on the merits of the proposed sale, the solvency and eligibility under the laws of Georgia of the prospective purchaser and his ability and capacity to render adequate and satisfactory service, as to whether the proposed sale or other disposition is in the public interest. A certified copy of the order of the mayor and council or other governing body of the municipality, evidencing its consent to the sale or other disposition of the railroad and bus property, shall be attached to and made a part of such petition; and
(3) After securing the order of approval of the commission of the sale or other disposition of such railroad and bus properties and franchises as being in the public interest, file with the Secretary of State, as an amendment to its charter, a certified copy of a resolution of the board of directors reciting that the company elects to sell its railroad and bus properties and franchises and to avail itself of the provisions of Code Section 46-8-344. The company shall attach to the resolution a certified copy of the resolution or ordinance of the mayor and council or other governing body of the municipality evidencing its consent to such sale or other disposition of its railroad and bus properties and franchises. The company shall also attach to the resolution a certified copy of the commission's order of approval of the sale or other disposition of the railroad and bus property as being in the public interest.
Upon compliance with Code Sections 46-8-344 and 46-8-345, the electric street, suburban, or interurban railroad company shall be authorized to sell or otherwise dispose of its railroad and bus properties and franchises and to continue its corporate existence and the operation of its electric plants and properties for the sale and distribution of electricity for light, heat, and power purposes under its current charter to the date of expiration thereof, with all of the rights, powers, and liabilities which it previously exercised, in such manner as if no sale of such railroad and bus properties and franchises had been made.
Any railroad company desiring to adopt this chapter as a part of its charter may so signify by resolution of its board of directors filed with the Secretary of State. The certificate of the Secretary of State that such resolution has been filed with him shall be conclusive evidence of such filing and shall clothe the company with the powers specified in this article.
Nothing in this article shall be construed as depriving the commission of jurisdiction over interurban railroad companies or limiting its powers in any way, but all of the laws of this state which apply to railroads in general, and to street and suburban railroads in particular, shall, as far as applicable or appropriate, apply to interurban railroads, unless interurban railroads are expressly excluded from the provisions of such laws by the terms thereof. The benefits of this article shall extend to all companies incorporated in this state prior to August 19, 1916, with the power to build or operate electric street and suburban railroads and which, as of August 19, 1916, were operating street and suburban railroads partly in an incorporated city and extending through the country to another incorporated city, including those railroads which run between an incorporated city in Georgia and an incorporated city in an adjoining state. Nothing in this article shall be construed to impair any valid, subsisting contract existing as of August 16, 1921, between any municipality and any railroad company or any street or interurban railroad company. Nothing in this article shall operate to repeal any municipal ordinance existing as of August 16, 1921. The commission shall not have the power and authority under this article to increase fares on the lines of such companies which fares have been fixed by contract between such companies and any municipality prior to August 16, 1921.
Any person intruding unlawfully upon the constructed track of a railroad company, contrary to the will of the company, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
Any person who rides or attempts to ride on a railroad train of any character and conceals himself from the conductor or train authorities by hiding under the train, or on top of the train, or in box cars, on tenders, or elsewhere, for the purpose of avoiding the payment of fare or of stealing a ride thereon, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
Every officer, agent, or employee of any railroad company who willfully neglects or refuses to make and furnish any report required by the commission, as necessary to the purposes of this title, or who willfully and unlawfully hinders, delays, or obstructs the commission in the discharge of the duties imposed upon it by this title, shall be subject to a penalty of not less than $100.00 nor more than $5,000.00 for each offense, to be recovered in an action in the name of the state.
As used in this chapter, the term “person” means any corporation, company, firm, association, or individual operating a public rapid rail passenger service line in this state, provided that said term shall not include any public corporation or governmental entity.
Except as provided in Code Section 46-8A-4, no person shall operate any rapid rail passenger service line or system or any extension thereof in this state without first obtaining a permit from the Public Service Commission. The commission shall grant a permit to any person who complies with the guidelines and standards established by the commission.
The application for any permit provided for in Code Section 46-8A-2 shall be made under such rules and regulations as the commission may from time to time prescribe. Upon the receipt of any such application for such permit, the commission shall cause notice thereof to be given by mail or by personal service to the chief executive officer of the municipalities affected, if any, and shall publish such notice once a week for three consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in each county affected.
This Code section shall not be construed to require any person to secure a permit for an extension of a rapid rail passenger service line or system into territory contiguous to that already served by that person and not receiving similar service from another person if no permit has been issued to or applied for by any other person.
Carriers as such are bound to exercise ordinary diligence. Common carriers as such are bound to use extraordinary diligence, and in cases of loss the presumption of law is against them, and no excuse avails them unless the loss was occasioned by the act of God or the public enemies of the state.
A common carrier may not limit his legal liability by any notice given either by publication or by entry on receipts given or tickets sold, provided that a common carrier may limit his liability by means of an express contract; provided, however, that a motor common carrier of household goods and office furnishings may require a shipper to declare a lump sum value for the shipment prior to loading or accept the per pound released value as provided in the terms of the bill of lading contract for the purpose of limiting its liability.
In order for a common carrier to avail himself of the act of God exception under Code Section 46-9-1 or the contractual exception under Code Section 46-9-2, he must establish not only that the act of God or the contractually excepted fact ultimately occasioned the loss but that his own negligence did not contribute thereto.
In all cases where persons are injured or property is damaged by any corporation engaged as a common carrier in the transportation of freight or passengers, or both, either by land or by water, such corporation shall be liable to pay damages to anyone whose person or property may be so injured or damaged, notwithstanding the fact that such corporation was acting outside of the scope of its charter at the time of the injury or damage, if such corporation would be liable for such damages if it had been acting within its chartered powers and authority.
All actions at law by common carriers operating in this state for the recovery of their charges or any part thereof, where such charges have accrued in connection with intrastate shipments, shall be initiated within three years after the time the cause of action accrues, and not thereafter.
For the purposes of Code Section 46-9-5, the cause of action in respect of a shipment of property shall be deemed to accrue upon delivery or tender of delivery thereof by the carrier, and not thereafter.
(a) No common carrier authorized to do business in this state, when requiring of any employee that he give bond or undertaking of any nature whatsoever, shall require as surety thereon any specific or certain bonding company, provided that nothing in this Code section shall be construed to prevent any common carrier from specifying the form or wording of such bond.
(b) Any person who violates this Code section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
(a) Any employee who gives any bond or undertaking pursuant to Code Section 46-9-8 shall, upon the breach of any of the conditions thereof by the other party thereto, have the power to cancel the same by giving the surety thereon and the common carrier for whose benefit the same has been given at least ten days' notice in writing, setting out in full the reasons for canceling same. Any such notice to a company, corporation, or association may be served by leaving the same with any person on whom service of legal process upon such company, corporation, or association may be had.
(b) Any surety on any such bond or undertaking shall, upon the breach of any of the conditions thereof by the employee for whom the bond or undertaking was made, have power to cancel the same by giving such employee at least ten days' notice in writing, setting out in full the reasons for canceling same, the notice to be signed by an agent or manager of such surety, provided that nothing in this Code section shall affect any right of action accruing to any person upon the breach of the contract.
(c) Any person who violates this Code section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
Any schedule of rates and charges established by the commission for the transportation of passengers and freight shall, in actions brought against any railroad company involving the rates charged by the company for the transportation of any passengers or freight, or cars, including actions involving unjust discrimination in relation to such rates, be deemed and taken in all courts as sufficient evidence that the rates therein fixed are just and reasonable rates or charges for the transportation of passengers and freight and cars upon the railroads. The commission shall, from time to time, and as often as the circumstances may require, change and revise such schedules.
(a) When any schedule has been made or revised as provided in Code Section 46-9-20, it shall be the duty of the commission to give notice of such new schedule or of any amendment or revision, by means of circulars, tariff publications, its annual reports, or in such other manner and form as it deems advisable or necessary. After such notice is given, it shall be the duty of all railroad companies affected by the new schedule to post at all of their respective stations, in a conspicuous place, a copy of the schedule for the information of the public, provided that the schedules thus prepared shall not be taken as evidence as provided in Code Section 46-9-20 until schedules have been prepared and published as provided in this Code section.
(b) All such schedules purporting to have been printed and published by the commission as provided in this Code section shall be received and held in all such actions as prima facie the schedules of the commission, without any further proof other than the production of the schedules desired to be used as evidence, together with a certificate of the commission that the same are true copies of the schedules prepared by it for the railroad company therein named and that the same have been duly published as required by law.
It shall be the duty of the commission to investigate thoroughly all through freight rates from points outside of Georgia to points within Georgia and from points within Georgia to points outside of Georgia.
Whenever the commission finds that a through rate, whether charged for transportation into or out of Georgia, is in its opinion excessive, unreasonable, or discriminatory, it shall bring this fact to the attention of the officers of the railroad company and urge upon them the propriety of changing such rate.
Whenever rates are not changed according to the suggestion of the commission pursuant to Code Section 46-9-23, it shall be the duty of the commission to present the facts, whenever it can legally be done, to the Interstate Commerce Commission and to appeal to it for relief.
In all work devolving upon the commission pursuant to Code Sections 46-9-22 through 46-9-24, the commission shall receive, upon application, the services of the Attorney General of this state; and he shall also represent the commission, whenever called upon to do so, before the Interstate Commerce Commission.
The commission is required to fix and prescribe a schedule of maximum rates and charges for storage of freight to be made and charged by railroad companies doing business in this state, and to fix at what time after the receipt of freight at place of destination such charges for storage shall begin. The commission shall have the power to vary such rates and charges according to the value and character of the freight stored, the nature of the place of destination, the residence of the consignee, and such other facts as in its judgment should be considered in fixing the same. All of the provisions of this title prescribing the procedure to be followed by the commission in fixing freight and passenger tariffs, hearing complaints of carriers and shippers, and altering and amending freight and passenger tariffs shall apply to the subject of fixing and amending rates and charges for storage.
A person holding himself out to the public as a common carrier is bound to receive all goods offered to him that he is able and accustomed to carry, upon compliance with such reasonable regulations as he may adopt for his own safety and the benefit of the public.
A common carrier shall have the duty of transporting and delivering goods safely and without unreasonable delay.
A carrier who receives freight for shipment is bound to forward the freight within a reasonable time, even though his employees strike or otherwise refuse to work, provided that if the strike is accompanied with violence and intimidation so as to render it unsafe to forward the freight, the carrier shall be relieved as to liability for delay in delivering the freight, if the violence and armed resistance are of such character as could not be overcome by the carrier or controlled by the civil authorities when called upon by him.
If a carrier fails to deliver goods within a reasonable time, the measure of damages is the difference between the market value at the time and place they should have been delivered and the market value at the time of actual delivery.
A carrier may not dispute the title of the person delivering goods to him by setting up adverse title in himself or a title in third persons which is not being enforced against him.
The responsibility of a carrier shall commence with the delivery of the goods to him or to his agent or at the place where the carrier is accustomed or agrees to receive them. The carrier's responsibility shall cease with the delivery of the goods at destination according to the direction of the person sending the goods or according to the custom of the trade.
A common carrier may recover pro rata for the actual distance transported when the consignee voluntarily receives the goods at an intermediate point.
A carrier may require the nature and value of the goods delivered to him to be made known, and any fraudulent acts, sayings, or concealment by his customers will release him from liability.
Every claim for loss of or damage to property, or for overcharge for freight, for which any common carrier of household goods may be liable shall be adjusted and paid by such common carrier within 90 days after such claim, duly verified by the claimant or his or her agent, has been filed with the agent of the initial carrier or with the agent of the carrier upon whose line the loss, damage, or overcharge actually occurred. If such claim is not adjusted and paid within the time prescribed in this Code section, the carrier shall be liable for interest thereon at the legal rate from the date of the filing of the claim until the payment thereof, and shall also be liable for a civil penalty of $ 50.00 for every such failure to adjust and pay said claim, to be recovered by the party damaged, provided that unless such claimant in such action recovers the full amount claimed, no penalty shall be recovered, but the recovery shall be limited to the actual loss or damage or overcharge, with interest thereon from the date of filing said claim.
(a) Every railroad or transportation company in this state shall furnish suitable and adequate facilities for correctly weighing all freight offered for shipment in carload lots in this state at points where the volume of business offered is sufficient to warrant the expense.
(b) If any officer, agent, or employee of a railroad or transportation company, or person acting for or employed by such railroad or transportation company, shall, by reason of overweights or false billing, cause such railroad or transportation company to charge for any shipment more than the actual weight of such shipment, the said railroad or transportation company shall be liable to the owner of such shipment for damages in an amount equal to twice the charges on the excess weight so charged.
(a) Whenever any railroad company in this state weighs any cars loaded with freight to be shipped and charged for by the carload, such weighing shall be done by a certified public weigher, as provided for the weighing of cotton, rice, and other produce.
(b) When such cars are weighed singly, they shall be uncoupled at both ends and weighed one at a time, provided that when any railroad company transports timber, lumber, or other like articles of freight which, because of their length, overlap from one car to another, such company may cause a maximum of three such cars so loaded to be weighed together, after uncoupling them at both ends from other cars. In all such instances, the aggregate weight of the freight upon such cars shall be averaged so that each of the cars shall be charged with an equal amount of the total weight, and the shipper shall be made to pay freight as if each of the cars so weighed together did actually contain an equal portion of the whole load, provided that in such cases the shipper shall not pay less than the amount of freight due on full carloads.
(c) Any railroad company failing, refusing, or neglecting to comply with this Code section shall be held liable in an action for damages, to be brought in the county where such weighing is done, at the instance of any person aggrieved. A sum of not less than $100.00 nor more than $200.00 shall be recoverable for each offense.
Whenever a shipper or consignor requires a railroad company to furnish a car to be used in carload shipments, in order for the consignor or shipper to avail himself of the forfeitures or penalties prescribed by the rules and regulations of the commission, it must first appear that the consignor or shipper made written application to the railroad company for the car, provided that the commission shall, by reasonable rules and regulations, establish the time within which the car shall be furnished after being applied for and shall establish the penalty per day per car to be paid by the railroad company in the event the car is not furnished as ordered; provided, further, that in order for any shipper or consignor to avail himself of the penalties provided by the rules and regulations of the commission, such shipper or consignor shall likewise be subject, under proper rules to be fixed by the commission, to the orders, rules, and regulations of the commission.
(a) No person, including an officer or agent of any corporation, shall, either by payment of money or other thing of value, by solicitation, or otherwise, induce any common carrier of freight within this state, or any officers or agents of the common carrier, to discriminate unjustly in favor of that person or corporation as against any other consignor or consignee in the transportation of freight to and from points in this state; and no such person shall aid or abet any common carrier in any such unjust discrimination.
(b) Any person who violates this Code section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. In addition, any such person shall, together with such common carrier, be liable jointly or severally in an action to be brought by any consignor or consignee discriminated against for all damages caused by or resulting from the discrimination.
In applying freight-storage charges fixed by the commission, no railroad company shall discriminate between persons, either directly or indirectly, by means of rebate or any other device.
No railroad company shall make or retain, either directly or indirectly, any charge for storage of freight greater than that fixed by the commission for each particular storage.
If any railroad company violates Code Section 46-9-53 or Code Section 46-9-54, either by exceeding the rates of storage prescribed or by discriminating as to rates charged, the person paying such overcharge or subjected to such discrimination shall have the right to bring an action for the amount of the overcharge or the amount of the difference in the rates charged, in any court of this state having jurisdiction of the claim. Such person shall have all the remedies and be entitled to recover the same penalties and damages as are prescribed in Code Sections 46-2-90 and 46-2-92.
Any common carrier of freight within the limits of this state or, if such common carrier is a corporation, any officer, agent, or employee thereof, who, by means of false billing, false classification, false weighing, false report of weight, or by any other device or means, knowingly and willfully assists or permits any person to obtain transportation for property from and to points within the limits of this state at less than the regular rates then established and in force on the line of transportation of such common carrier shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
Any person, including any officer or agent of any corporation, who delivers property to any common carrier of freights within this state for transportation within this state to any common carrier of freights within this state, or for whom, as consignor or consignee, any such carrier transports property, and who knowingly and willfully, by false billing, false classification, false weighing, false representation of the contents of the package, false report of weight, or by any other device or means, whether with or without the consent or connivance of the carrier or its agent, obtains transportation for such property at less than the regular rates then established and in force on the line of transportation shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
It shall be the duty of the railroad companies of this state to furnish any grower of peaches, apples, cantaloupes, watermelons, or other perishable products with suitable icing and refrigerator cars or other suitable cars for the transportation of such products, whenever application is made therefor in writing by the shipper 24 hours in advance of the time such cars are wanted for loading. Such application shall be filed with the nearest agent of the railroad company to the point from which shipment is to be made and shall state the time and place from which shipment is desired.
(a) Whenever any railroad company fails to furnish icing and refrigerator cars as required by Code Section 46-9-90 and the shipper places his product in carload lots or, in cases of less than carload lots, expresses to the agent of the railroad company his willingness to pay charges for carload lots, then such railroad company shall be liable for the market value of such product with interest thereon. The market value shall be determined by the market value of the product less the cost of carriage and the usual expense of selling in the market to which the shipper intended shipping the same, on the day such product would have arrived had the same been carried in the usual course of transportation on schedule time for such freight.
(b) In order to avail himself of the rule of damage expressed in subsection (a) of this Code section, the shipper must notify in writing the agent of the railroad company of the market to which he intended to ship his product. Payment shall be made by the railroad company for such product within 30 days after written claim has been filed with the company therefor.
(c) In the event such railroad company fails to make payment as provided in this Code section or fails to tender the correct amount thereof, it shall be liable for an additional fixed sum of $50.00 for each car as liquidated damages. Such liquidated damages may be recovered in any action brought for the recovery of damages on the main claim, in the event recovery is had thereon.
In the event the shipper fails or refuses to accept any suitable cars furnished in a timely manner pursuant to Code Section 46-9-90, he shall be liable to the railroad company for the sum of $10.00 per car and the cost of the first or initial icing in the event the same is iced. If the shipper fails or refuses to pay same within 30 days after written demand therefor, he shall be liable for $20.00 per car, together with the cost of icing.
(a) Whenever any person delivers property of any description to a common carrier for transportation, the common carrier shall, upon demand, furnish the delivering party a valid receipt which shall specify the shipping marks and numbers thereon and the weight of the property thus delivered, whenever the value can be estimated by weight. In all cases where the value cannot be thus estimated, the receipt shall give a general description of the property and shall also specify as near as practicable the quantity or value thereof. In addition, any such receipt shall designate the place of destination of the property.
(b) Any agent or officer of any common carrier who violates this Code section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
All railroad companies in this state shall, on demand, issue duplicate freight receipts to shippers, which receipts shall state the class or classes of freight shipped, the freight charges over the road giving the receipt, and, so far as practicable, the freight charges over other roads that carry the freight. When the consignee presents the railroad receipt to the agent of the railroad that delivers such freight, the agent shall deliver the article shipped on payment of the rate charged for the class of freight mentioned in the receipt.
All freight bills or freight lists charged against or to be collected from any person for whom a common carrier carries freight in this state shall, before they may be collectable, contain a certain and specific description of the items of freight charged in such bills or freight lists.
A common carrier holding himself out to the public as such is bound to receive all passengers whom he is able and accustomed to carry, upon compliance with such reasonable regulations as he may adopt for his own safety and for the benefit of the public.
Carriers of passengers may refuse to admit to, or may eject from, their conveyances all persons who refuse to comply with reasonable regulations of the carrier or who exhibit improper conduct. Carriers may also refuse to convey persons seeking to interfere with their business or interests.
A carrier of passengers must exercise extraordinary diligence to protect the lives and persons of his passengers but is not liable for injuries to them after having used such diligence.
(a) Common carriers doing business in this state shall furnish to their passengers comfortable seats and shall have the railroad car or other vehicle well and sufficiently lighted and ventilated.
(b) Any common carrier which violates this Code section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
All conductors or other railroad employees in charge of passenger cars shall assign all passengers to their respective cars, or compartments of cars, provided by the railroad company. All conductors of street cars and buses shall assign all passengers to seats on the cars under their charge. All conductors and other employees of railroads and all conductors of street cars and buses shall have, and are invested with, police powers to carry out this Code section.
(a) No passenger shall remain in any car, compartment, or seat other than the one to which he has been assigned. The conductor and any and all employees on such cars shall have the power to eject from the train or car any passenger who refuses to remain in the car, compartment, or seat assigned to him.
(b) Any person who violates this Code section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
(a) A carrier of passengers may limit the value of the baggage which may be taken on board in proportion to the fare paid.
(b) A carrier of passengers shall be responsible for the value of lost baggage, regardless of whether an extra charge was demanded or paid for carriage of the baggage, provided that a carrier of passengers shall be responsible only for baggage placed in his custody; provided, further, that the liability of the carrier shall extend only to such articles as a traveler for business or pleasure would carry for his own use.
(c) A passenger shall not have the right to receive a reduction in fare by assuming custody of his own baggage.
Common carriers may grant passes upon their transportation lines to any former employee of the company and his immediate family if such employee, owing to length of service or because of an injury suffered in the service of the company, has been retired from the company but is kept on the payroll under a system of pensioning or a similar system. Such passes shall be good only for intrastate passage.
Common carriers operating in this state may issue annual passes to all sheriffs and their lawful deputies, provided that the term “sheriffs and their lawful deputies,” as used in this Code section, means one sheriff and one lawful deputy for each county; provided, further, that whenever any sheriff or deputy travels on such free pass, such sheriff or deputy shall have no right to charge or collect, from any source, railroad fare covering such trip.
(a) It shall be unlawful for any person, other than the authorized agent of the common carrier issuing the same, to sell or otherwise deal in, or offer to sell, any passenger ticket which was issued and sold for less than the standard schedule rate under contract with the original purchaser and upon which ticket appears a statement, signed by the original purchaser, that the ticket is nontransferable and void in the hands of any person other than the original purchaser, provided that nothing in this Code section shall be construed as interfering with the right of the original purchaser of a transferable ticket to sell the same to a person who will in good faith personally use it to embark on a journey.
(b) Any person who violates this Code section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
(a) It shall be the duty of every common carrier who has sold any tickets or other evidence of the purchaser's right to travel on its line or on any line of which it forms a part, if the whole of such ticket is unused, to redeem the same, paying the original purchaser thereof the actual amount for which the ticket was sold, or if any part of such ticket is unused, to redeem such unused part, paying the original purchaser thereof at a rate which shall be equal to the difference between the price paid for the whole ticket and the price of a ticket between the points for which the ticket was actually used, provided that such purchaser shall present such unused or partly used ticket for redemption, within six months after the date of its issuance, to the officer or agent who is authorized or designated by such common carrier to redeem unused or partly used tickets; and the officer shall, within 15 days after the receipt of such ticket, redeem the same as provided for in this Code section. Such redemption shall be made without cost of exchange or other expense to the purchaser of the ticket.
(b) Any person who violates this Code section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
(a) Railroad companies shall keep in each passenger car or in any car in which passengers are transported an adequate supply of good, pure drinking water at all hours during the day and night. Any railroad company which violates this subsection shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
(b) Any conductor or agent of a railroad who, after being requested by a passenger to furnish a sufficient supply of water to the passenger in each car, or a light at night, passes any depot or station without so doing shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and may be prosecuted in any county through which the railroad of which he is agent or conductor runs.
Whenever any passenger train on any railroad in this state is more than one-half hour behind its schedule time when it passes a depot at which there is a telegraph operator during the hours such operator is required to be on duty, it shall be the duty of the railroad company to keep posted at every succeeding telegraph station along its line the time such train is behind its schedule, provided that such bulletin shall not be required to be posted at any station until one-half hour before the regularly scheduled time at which such train is to arrive at the station at which such bulletin is required to be kept. For every willful violation of this Code section, the railroad company shall be liable to pay to the state a civil penalty of $20.00, which may be collected by an action in any court having competent jurisdiction.
(a) A railroad company shall have the duty of providing its conductors, agents, or employees with checks so as to check all trunks or separate baggage of passengers from station to station on its roads when required.
(b) It shall be the duty of the conductor of every passenger train to cause, upon application to him, all trunks and baggage to be checked from any station to any point of destination on its road or on any road running under the control of the company of which he is conductor.
(c) If any conductor fails or refuses, upon application, to comply with subsection (b) of this Code section, the railroad company employing that conductor shall be liable for a civil penalty of $50.00 for every such failure or refusal, to be recovered in a court of competent jurisdiction of that county where the demand for check was made.
No person issuing, selling, or offering to sell any passenger ticket on board any vessel, including the owner or consignee of such vessel or his agents, servants, or employees, shall omit reference to the country of registry of such vessel from any advertisement, circular, circular letter, pamphlet, card, handbill, or other printed paper, or from any other notice, whether written or oral, in regard to such passage, ticket, or instrument of passage or voyage to which it entitles or purports to entitle its owner, purchaser, or holder or the line over which or the vessel for which such passage is sold or offered or as to his agency for such line or vessel. Such reference shall be no less prominently displayed than the balance of the material appearing on the printed paper or other notice.
(a) A ticket or instrument issued as evidence of a right of passage on the high seas from any port in this state to any port of any other state or nation, every certificate or order issued for the purpose or under pretense of procuring such ticket or instrument, and every receipt for money paid for such ticket or instrument must state:
(1) The name of the vessel on which the passage is to be made;
(2) The name of the owners or consignees of such vessel;
(3) The name of the company or line, if any, to which such vessel belongs;
(4) Its country of registry;
(5) The place from which such passage is to commence;
(6) The place where such passage is to terminate;
(7) The day of the month and year upon which the voyage is to commence; and
(8) The name of the person purchasing such ticket or instrument or receiving such order, certificate, or receipt and the amount paid therefor.
(b) Any such ticket, instrument, order, certificate, or receipt, unless sold or issued by the owners or consignees of such vessel, must be signed by their authorized agent.
Any person, partnership, association, firm, agency, or corporation violating any provision of this part shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, provided that no violator shall be fined less than $500.00 for each violation.
(a) A carrier of passengers shall have a lien on the passengers' baggage, not only for baggage charges but also for the passengers' fare. This lien may be foreclosed as described in subsection (b) of this Code section.
(b) Whenever baggage has been transported to destination by any common carrier and is uncalled for or refused by the holder of the baggage check issued therefor and remains uncalled for or refused for six months after its arrival at destination, the carrier may sell the same at public auction to the highest bidder at such place and time as may be designated by the carrier, provided that the carrier shall have published notice containing a general description of the baggage (that is, whether trunk, hand baggage, suitcase, box, bundle, etc.) and the time and place of sale once a week for two successive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation at the place of sale or at the nearest place thereto.
When a carrier has complied with his contract as to transportation, he shall have a lien on the goods for the freight charges and may retain possession until the lien is paid, unless this right is waived by special contract or actual delivery of the goods. If the goods are delivered, the carrier acquires a lien for the freight charges on and may until the lien is paid retain possession of other goods belonging to the debtor which come into the possession of the carrier. The immediately preceding sentence shall not apply to consumer goods which are used or bought for use for personal, family, or household purposes, except when a motor carrier of household goods and office furnishings may retain possession of such goods.
A carrier's liens for charges on the baggage of its passengers and on the goods and articles transported shall be superior to other liens, except liens for taxes, special liens of landlords for rent, liens of laborers, and all general liens of which the carrier had actual notice before the property claimed to be subject to lien came into their control.
No railroad company having an office or agency within this state shall refuse to put on sale or refuse to sell any ticket of any other railroad company with which the same may be directly or indirectly connected, at the price or rate fixed by the commission, for passage over lines of such connecting roads, less such amount as may be directed to be deducted from such rate by any one or more of said connecting lines. It shall be unlawful, after the sale of such ticket, to refuse to issue checks for baggage over such connecting lines, to the extent that the baggage may be allowed to be checked under the ordinary rules and regulations of said companies.
(a) No railroad company operating or doing business wholly or partly within this state shall:
(1) Refuse to put on sale with the agents of any other railroad company with which it may be connected, whether directly or indirectly, tickets for any point upon its lines of road;
(2) Refuse to receive such tickets for passage over its lines; or
(3) Refuse to receive and transport baggage which may be checked upon said tickets so sold.
(b) Any company so placing its tickets on sale may demand reasonable security to secure the price of such tickets so placed on sale, and may demand, from time to time, such renewals of deposits or other security as will protect it from any loss from the sale of such tickets.
(a) All railroad companies in this state shall, at the terminus or at any intermediate point, be required to switch off and deliver to connecting roads, in the yard of such roads, all cars passing over their lines which cars contain goods or freights consigned, without rebate or deception, by any route, at the option of the shipper, according to customary or published rates, to any point over or beyond such connecting road.
(b) Any failure by a railroad company to switch off and deliver cars as required by subsection (a) of this Code section with reasonable diligence, according to the route by which such goods or freights were consigned, shall be deemed and taken as a conversion in law of such goods or freights, and shall give a right of action to the owner or consignee for the value of the goods or freights, with interest, and not less than 10 percent nor more than 25 percent for expenses and damages, provided that if the defendant in any action brought under this Code section or Code Section 46-9-213 asserts as a defense that the plaintiff has accepted a rebate or practiced fraud or deception in regard to the rate, it shall be a complete reply to such defense if the plaintiff can prove that the defendant or its agents have allowed a rebate or practiced fraud or deception in regard to the rate from the same competing point against the rival line.
No railroad company shall discriminate in its rates or tariffs for freights in favor of any line or route connected with it as against any other line or route; nor, when a part of its own line is sought to be run in connection with any other route, shall such company discriminate against such connecting line or in favor of the balance of its own line. Rather, such company shall charge the same rates for all and shall afford the usual and customary facilities for interchange of freights to patrons of all routes or lines alike. Any refusal of the same shall afford a right of action similar to that provided in Code Section 46-9-212.
Code Sections 46-9-212 and 46-9-213 shall not apply to shipments or consignments of freights from points beyond the limits of this state, except such as come by sea.
All railroad companies in this state, at the terminus or at any intermediate point, shall receive from the connecting road all cars containing freight consigned to any point on the road to which the same is offered and shall transport the cars to their destination with reasonable diligence. Any failure or refusal to comply with this requirement shall give to the consignee, the shipper, or the owner of such goods and freight a right of action against the company so refusing; and the damages received in such action shall not be less than 10 percent nor more than 25 percent of the value of the goods so refused to be received.
For every violation of any of the provisions of Code Section 46-9-210 or 46-9-211, the railroad company shall be subject to a civil penalty of $1,000.00, which may be recovered in any superior or city court of the county in which such violation may occur. An action may be brought by the railroad company whose road may be discriminated against or by the person offering to buy a ticket over such road. The penalty provided for in this Code section may be recovered by each of these parties; and recovery by one shall not be a bar to recovery by the other.
If a group of at least five persons (1) files a petition with the Secretary of State setting forth that they desire to be incorporated as an express company, the name under which they desire to be incorporated, the amount of capital stock which the company proposes to have, the place where the principal office of the company shall be located, and the states, territories, and countries in which the company proposes to operate, and (2) pays to the Secretary of State a fee of $ 100.00, to be deposited by the Secretary of State into the state treasury, then the Secretary of State shall issue to the petitioners the following certificate:
State of Georgia. To whom it may concern--Greetings:
_____ having filed their petition in terms of the statute in such case provided, they and their associates and successors are hereby created and declared a body corporate for the period of 30 years, under the name of _____, for the purpose of carrying on an express business in _____, with a capital stock of _____ dollars, with its principal place of business at _____, in the county of _____, Georgia, with the powers, duties, and liabilities as now or hereafter prescribed by the laws of this state.
Witness my official hand and seal of this state, this _____ day of _____, _____.
The petitioners shall be the first directors of the company. Upon receiving the prescribed certificate, the directors shall organize by electing one of their number president and shall elect such other corporate officers as may be necessary; and they shall open books of subscription to the capital stock of said company. When all the capital stock has been subscribed for and one-tenth of the amount actually paid in, notice of that fact shall be published at least three times in the newspaper in which the sheriff's notices are published in the county of the principal office of the company; whereupon, but not before, the company may begin the transaction of business. If the transaction of any business is commenced without complying with the requirements of this Code section, the incorporators and stockholders shall be personally liable for all obligations incurred prior to a full compliance with those requirements.
All companies incorporated under this article shall have their principal offices in this state.
Any company incorporated under this article may:
(1) Sue and be sued;
(2) Have a corporate seal;
(3) Contract and be contracted with;
(4) Take bonds of indemnity with security from its agents and employees;
(5) Acquire, by purchase, devise, or otherwise, and hold real and personal property of any value in the amount necessary and proper for the purpose for which the company is incorporated and sell, mortgage, or otherwise dispose of the same;
(6) Appoint all necessary officers;
(7) Make rules, regulations, bylaws, and ordinances for the control, direction, management, and operation of its affairs and business, not inconsistent with the laws of this state or of the United States; and
(8) Have, enjoy, and exercise all the rights, powers, and privileges pertaining to corporate bodies and necessary for the purposes for which such corporation is created within this state and within all the states and territories of the United States and any foreign countries enumerated in the certificate of incorporation, that shall permit or suffer the exercise of said corporate powers within their limits.
The superior court of the county where goods are received for shipment by an express company doing business in this state or the superior court of the county where goods are to be delivered by such a company, shall have jurisdiction over that company, and the judgment shall bind all the property of that company.
In all cases where its chief officer does not reside in this state, an express company may be served in any proceeding against it by serving a copy of the summons and complaint upon any agent of such company within this state. The judgment obtained in cases so commenced shall bind the property of the defendant as fully as though the summons and complaint had been served on the president or other chief officer.
When the president or other chief officer of any express company resides in this state, it shall be the duty of such company to post in a public and conspicuous place, at each office where it transacts business, the name of its president or other chief officer on whom service may be perfected in this state; otherwise, service made as provided for in Code Section 46-9-235 shall be deemed sufficient and proper service.
If any railroad company organized or doing business under the laws of this state charges, collects, demands, or receives more than a fair and reasonable rate of toll or compensation for the transportation of passengers or freight of any description, or for the use and transportation of any railroad car upon its track or any of the branches thereof, or upon any railroad within this state which it has the right, license, or permission to use, operate, or control, that company shall be deemed guilty of extortion, and, upon conviction thereof, shall be subject to the liabilities and penalties provided in Code Sections 46-2-90, 46-2-92, and 46-2-93.
If any railroad company organized or doing business under the laws of this state makes any unjust discrimination in its rates or charges of toll or any compensation for the transportation of passengers or freight of any description, or for the use and transportation of any railroad car upon its road or upon any of the branches thereof, or upon any railroad connected therewith which it has the right, license, or permission to operate, control, or use within this state, that corporation shall be deemed guilty of having violated the provisions of this title, and, upon conviction thereof, shall be subject to the liabilities and penalties provided in Code Sections 46-2-90, 46-2-92, and 46-2-93.
Any officer, agent, or other employee of a common carrier who charges a rate for transporting freight or passengers which is in excess of the rates established by the commission shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
Any person who causes more than five pounds of gunpowder, or any amount of dynamite or other dangerous explosive, to be transported upon water, by railroad, or otherwise shall have the word “Gunpowder,” “Dynamite,” or other name of the explosive marked in large letters upon each package so transported. Gunpowder, dynamite, or other dangerous explosive transported in violation of this Code section are declared contraband and shall be forfeited in accordance with the procedures set forth in Chapter 16 of Title 9.
This article shall be known and may be cited as the “Georgia Rail Passenger Authority Law.”
There is created the Georgia Rail Passenger Authority for the purpose of construction, financing, operation, and development of rail passenger service and other public transportation projects within and without the State of Georgia.
As used in this article, the term:
(1) “Authority” means the public body corporate and politic created pursuant to this article.
(2) “Cost of the project” or “cost of any project” means and shall include: All costs of acquisition, by purchase or otherwise, construction, assembly, installation, modification, renovation, or rehabilitation incurred in connection with any project or any part of any project; all costs of real property, fixtures, or personal property used in or in connection with or necessary for any project or for any facilities related thereto including, but not limited to, the cost of all land, estates for years, easements, rights, improvements, water rights, connections for utility services, fees, franchises, permits, approvals, licenses, and certificates; the cost of securing any such franchises, permits, approvals, licenses, or certificates; and the cost of preparation of any application therefor and the cost of all fixtures, machinery, equipment, furniture, and other property used in or in connection with or necessary for any project; all financing charges and loan fees and all interest on revenue bonds, notes, or other obligations of an authority which accrues or is paid prior to and during the period of construction of a project and during such additional period as the authority may reasonably determine to be necessary to place such project in operation; all costs of engineering, surveying, architectural, and legal services and all expenses incurred by engineers, surveyors, architects, and attorneys in connection with any project; all expenses for inspection of any project; all fees of fiscal agents, paying agents, and trustees for bondholders under any trust agreement, trust indenture, or similar instrument or agreement; all expenses incurred by any such fiscal agents, paying agents, and trustees; all other costs and expenses incurred relative to the issuance of any revenue bonds, notes, or other obligations for any project; all fees of any type charged by an authority in connection with any project; all expenses of or incident to determining the feasibility or practicability of any project; all costs of plans and specifications for any project; all costs of title insurance and examinations of title with respect to any project; repayment of any loans made for the advance payment of any part of any of the foregoing costs, including interest thereon and any other expenses of such loans; administrative expenses of the authority and such other expenses as may be necessary or incident to any project or the financing thereof or the placing of any project in operation; and a fund or funds for the creation of a debt service reserve, a renewal and replacement reserve, or such other funds or reserves as the authority may approve with respect to the financing and operation of any project and as may be authorized by any bond resolution, trust agreement, trust indenture, or similar instrument or agreement pursuant to the provisions of which the issuance of any revenue bonds, notes, or other obligations of the authority may be authorized. Any cost, obligation, or expense incurred for any of the foregoing purposes shall be a part of the cost of the project and may be paid or reimbursed as such out of proceeds of revenue bonds, notes, or obligations issued by the authority.
(3) “Governing body” means the elected or duly appointed officials constituting the governing authority of the State of Georgia.
(4) “Project” means the acquisition, construction, installation, operation, modification, renovation, or rehabilitation of any rail passenger facilities or any other public transportation facilities other than roads, either directly or through contract with another public or private agency, after approval by the State Transportation Board, pursuant to state or federal law as part of any regional or state-wide transportation plan. A project may also include any fixtures, machinery, or equipment used on, in, or in connection with any of the transportation facilities listed above. A project may be for any public passenger transportation purpose, provided that a majority of the members of the authority determines, by a resolution duly adopted, that the project will further the public purpose of this article.
(5) “Revenue bonds” and “bonds” means any bonds of an authority which are authorized to be issued under the Constitution and laws of the State of Georgia, including refunding bonds but not including notes or other obligations of an authority.
(6) “Service area” means the geographical area of operations of the authority and shall consist of the State of Georgia and, with the consent of the appropriate governing authorities thereof, nearby states.
The authority shall have all of the powers necessary, proper, or convenient to carry out and effectuate the purposes and provisions of this article. The powers enumerated in this Code section are cumulative of and in addition to each other and other powers granted elsewhere in this article; and no such power limits or restricts any other power of the authority. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the powers of the authority shall include the powers:
(1) To sue and be sued;
(2) To adopt and amend a corporate seal;
(3) To make and execute contracts, agreements, and other instruments necessary, proper, or convenient to exercise the powers of the authority to further the public purpose for which the authority is created, including, but not limited to, contracts for construction of projects, leases of projects, contracts for operation of projects, contracts for sale of projects, agreements for loans to finance projects, and contracts with respect to the use of projects;
(4) To acquire by purchase, lease, condemnation, or otherwise and to hold, lease, and dispose of real and personal property of every kind and character or any interest therein in furtherance of the public purpose of the authority;
(5) To finance, by loan, grant, lease, or otherwise, and to construct, erect, assemble, purchase, acquire, own, repair, remodel, renovate, rehabilitate, modify, maintain, extend, improve, install, sell, equip, expand, add to, operate, or manage projects and to pay the cost of any project from the proceeds of revenue bonds, notes, or other obligations of the authority or any other funds of the authority, or from any contributions or loans by persons, corporations, partnerships, limited or general, or other entities, all of which the authority is empowered to receive and accept and use;
(6) To borrow money to further or to carry out its public purpose and to execute revenue bonds, notes, other obligations, leases, trust indentures, trust agreements, agreements for the sale of its revenue bonds, notes, or other obligations, loan agreements, mortgages, deeds to secure debt, trust deeds, security agreements, assignments, and such other agreements or instruments as may be necessary or desirable, in the judgment of the authority, to evidence and to provide security for such borrowing;
(7) To issue revenue bonds, notes, or other obligations of the authority and use the proceeds thereof for the purpose of paying or loaning the proceeds thereof to pay all or any part of the cost of any project and otherwise to further or carry out the public purpose of the authority and to pay all costs of the authority incident to, or necessary and appropriate to, furthering or carrying out such purpose;
(8) To make application directly or indirectly to any federal, state, county, or municipal government or agency or to any other source, public or private, for loans, grants, guarantees, or other financial assistance in furtherance of the authority's public purpose and to accept and use the same upon such terms and conditions as are prescribed by such federal, state, county, or municipal government or agency or other source;
(9) To enter into agreements with the federal government or any agency or corporation thereof to use the facilities of the federal government or agency or corporation thereof in order to further or carry out the public purposes of the authority;
(10) To contract for any period not exceeding 50 years with the State of Georgia, state institutions, or any city, town, municipality, or county of the state or public or private corporation for the use by the authority of any facilities or services of the state or any such state institution, city, town, municipality, or county or public or private corporation or for the use by any state institution or any city, town, municipality, or county of any facilities or services of the authority, provided such contracts shall deal with such activities and transactions as the authority and any such political subdivisions with which the authority contracts are by law authorized to undertake;
(11) To extend credit or make loans to any person, corporation, partnership, limited or general, or other entity for the costs of any project, which credit or loans may be evidenced or secured by loan agreements, notes, mortgages, deeds to secure debt, trust deeds, security agreements, assignments, or other instruments or by rentals, revenues, fees, or charges, upon such terms and conditions as the authority shall determine to be reasonable in connection with such extension of credit or loans, including provision for the establishment and maintenance of reserve funds, and, in the exercise of powers granted in connection with any project, the authority shall have the right and power to require the inclusion in any such loan agreement, note, mortgage, deed to secure debt, trust deed, security agreement, assignment, or other instrument of such provisions or requirements for guarantee of any obligations, insurance, construction, use, operation, maintenance, and financing of a project and such other terms and conditions as the authority may deem necessary or desirable;
(12) As security for repayment of any revenue bonds, notes, or other obligations of the authority, to pledge, mortgage, convey, assign, hypothecate, or otherwise encumber any property of the authority, including, but not limited to, real property, fixtures, personal property, and revenues or other funds; and to execute any lease, trust indenture, trust agreement, agreement for the sale of the authority's revenue bonds, notes, or other obligations, loan agreement, mortgage, deed to secure debt, trust deed, security agreement, assignment, or other agreement or instrument as may be necessary or desirable in the judgment of the authority to secure any such revenue bonds, notes, or other obligations, which instruments or agreements may provide for foreclosure or forced sale of any property of the authority upon default in any obligation of the authority, either in payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest or in the performance of any term or condition contained in any such agreement or instrument. The State of Georgia on behalf of itself and each county, municipal corporation, political subdivision, or taxing district therein waives any right the state or such county, municipal corporation, political subdivision, or taxing district may have to prevent the forced sale or foreclosure of any property of the authority upon such default and agrees that any agreement or instrument encumbering such property may be foreclosed in accordance with law and the terms thereof;
(13) To receive and use the proceeds of any tax levied by the State of Georgia or any county or municipality thereof to pay the costs of any project or for any other purpose for which the authority may use its own funds pursuant to this article;
(14) To receive and administer gifts, grants, and devises of money and property of any kind and to administer trusts;
(15) To use any real property, personal property, or fixtures or any interest therein; or to rent or lease such property to or from others or make contracts with respect to the use thereof; or to sell, lease, exchange, transfer, assign, pledge, or otherwise dispose of or grant options for any such property in any manner as it deems to be to the best advantage of the authority and the public purpose thereof;
(16) To acquire, accept, or retain equitable interests, security interest, or other interests in any real property, personal property, or fixtures by loan agreement, note, mortgage, deed to secure debt, trust deed, security agreement, assignment, pledge, conveyance, contract, lien, loan agreement, or other consensual transfer in order to secure the repayment of any moneys loaned or credit extended by the authority;
(17) To appoint, select, and employ engineers, surveyors, architects, urban or city planners, fiscal agents, attorneys, and others and to fix their compensation and pay their expenses;
(18) To encourage and promote by means of rail passenger transportation and other public transportation projects the improvement and advancement of the state and the enhancement and profitability of tourism to the state and its citizens;
(19) To make, contract for, or otherwise cause to be made long-range plans or proposals for rail passenger transportation and other public transportation projects within the service area, in cooperation with those political subdivisions within which such projects are located;
(20) To adopt bylaws governing the conduct of business by the authority, the election and duties of officers of the authority, and other matters which the authority determines to deal with in its bylaws;
(21) To exercise any power granted by the laws of the State of Georgia to public or private corporations which is not in conflict with the public purpose of the authority; and
(22) To do all things necessary, proper, or convenient to carry out the powers conferred by this article.
(a) The authority shall be composed of members appointed by the Governor. One member shall be appointed from and shall be a resident of each of the congressional districts and two members shall be appointed from the state at large. All members shall be appointed for terms of four years and until their successors are appointed and qualified. The Governor, in making appointments to the authority, shall consider obtaining reasonable representation thereon of persons from the tourism and hospitality industry, the manufacturing industry, the banking and finance industry, citizens and consumers, labor, and the transportation industry, but it is specifically provided that the appointments shall be at the discretion of the Governor. In the event of a vacancy on the authority, the Governor shall fill such vacancy for the unexpired term.
(b) If any member of the authority has any pecuniary interest in a project, the fact of such interest shall be disclosed by such member and recorded on the minutes of the authority. The member shall abstain from urging the approval of or voting on any project in which the member has a pecuniary interest.
(c) At its first meeting in each year, the members of the authority shall elect from among themselves a chairman and such other officers of the authority as may be required by the authority, for a term of one year.
(d) Each member of the authority shall receive an expense allowance and reimbursement for travel costs as provided in Code Section 45-7-21. A like sum shall be paid to a member of the authority who attends an approved meeting, event, or other function other than an authority meeting as an official representative of the authority.
Revenue bonds, notes, or other obligations issued by an authority shall be paid solely from the property, including, but not limited to, real property, fixtures, personal property, revenues, or other funds pledged, mortgaged, conveyed, assigned, hypothecated, or otherwise encumbered to secure or to pay such bonds, notes, or other obligations. All revenue bonds, notes, and other obligations shall be authorized by resolution of the authority, adopted by a majority vote of the members of the authority at a regular or special meeting. Such revenue bonds, notes, or other obligations shall bear such date or dates, shall mature at such time or times not more than 40 years from their respective date, shall bear interest at such rate or rates, which may be fixed or may fluctuate or otherwise change from time to time, shall be subject to redemption on such terms, and shall contain such other terms, provisions, covenants, assignments, and conditions as the resolution authorizing the issuance of such bonds, notes, or other obligations may permit or provide. The terms, provisions, covenants, assignments, and conditions contained in or provided or permitted by any resolution of the authority authorizing the issuance of such revenue bonds, notes, or other obligations shall bind the members of the authority then in office and their successors. The authority shall have power from time to time and whenever it deems refunding expedient to refund any bonds by the issuance of new bonds, whether the bonds to be refunded have or have not matured, and may issue bonds partly to refund bonds then outstanding and partly for any other purpose permitted under this article. The refunding bonds may be exchanged for the bonds to be refunded with such cash adjustments as may be agreed upon or may be sold and the proceeds applied to the purchase or redemption of the bonds to be refunded. There shall be no limitation upon the amount of revenue bonds, notes, or other obligations which any authority may issue. Any limitations with respect to interest rates or any maximum interest rate or rates found in the usury laws of the State of Georgia, or any other laws of the State of Georgia, shall not apply to revenue bonds, notes, or other obligations of an authority.
(a) Subject to the limitations and procedures provided by this Code section, the agreements or instruments executed by the authority may contain such provisions not inconsistent with law as shall be determined by the members of the authority.
(b) The proceeds derived from the sale of all bonds, notes, and other obligations issued by an authority shall be held and used for the ultimate purpose of paying, directly or indirectly as permitted in this article, all or part of the cost of any project or for the purpose of refunding any bonds, notes, or other obligations issued in accordance with the provisions of this article.
(c) Issuance by the authority of one or more series of bonds, notes, or other obligations for one or more purposes shall not preclude it from issuing other bonds, notes, or other obligations in connection with the same project or with any other projects, but the proceeding wherein any subsequent bonds, notes, or other obligations shall be issued shall recognize and protect any prior loan agreement, mortgage, deed to secure debt, trust deed, security agreement, or other agreement or instrument made for any prior issue of bonds, notes, or other obligations unless in the resolution authorizing such prior issue the right is expressly reserved to the authority to issue subsequent bonds, notes, or other obligations on a parity with such prior issue.
(d) The authority shall have the power and is authorized, whenever bonds of the authority shall have been validated as provided in this article, to issue from time to time its notes in anticipation of such bonds as validated and to renew from time to time any such notes by the issuance of new notes, whether the notes to be renewed have or have not matured. The authority may issue such bond anticipation notes only to provide funds which would otherwise be provided by the issuance of the bonds as validated. Such notes may be authorized, sold, executed, and delivered in the same manner as bonds. As with its bonds, the authority may sell such notes at public or private sale. Any resolution or resolutions authorizing notes of the authority or any issue thereof may contain any provisions which the authority is authorized to include in any resolution or resolutions authorizing bonds of the authority or any issue thereof, and the authority may include in any notes any terms, covenants, or conditions which the authority is authorized to include in any bonds. Validations of such bonds shall be a condition precedent to the issuance of such notes, but it shall not be required that such notes be judicially validated. Bond anticipation notes shall not be issued in an amount exceeding the par value of the bonds in anticipation of which they are to be issued.
(e) All bonds issued by the authority under this article shall be issued and validated under and in accordance with the “Revenue Bond Law,” as heretofore and hereafter amended, except as provided in this article, provided that notes and other obligations of the authority may be, but shall not be required to be, so validated.
(f) Bonds issued by the authority may be in such form, either coupon or fully registered or both coupon and fully registered, and may be subject to exchangeability and transferability provisions as the bond resolution authorizing the issuance of such bonds or any indenture or trust agreement may provide.
(g) Bonds shall bear a certificate of validation. The signature of the clerk of the superior court of the judicial circuit in which the issuing authority is located may be made on the certificate of validation of such bonds by facsimile or by manual execution stating the date on which such bonds were validated, and such entry shall be original evidence of the fact of judgment and shall be received as original evidence in any court in this state.
(h) In lieu of specifying the rate or rates of interest which bonds to be issued by an authority are to bear, the notice to the district attorney or Attorney General, the notice to the public of the time, place, and date of the validation hearing, and the petition and complaint for validation may state that the bonds when issued will bear interest at a rate not exceeding a maximum per annum rate of interest, which may be fixed or may fluctuate or otherwise change from time to time, specified in such notices and petition and complaint or that, in the event the bonds are to bear different rates of interest for different maturity dates, that note of such rates will exceed the maximum rate which may be fixed or may fluctuate or otherwise change from time to time so specified; provided, however, that nothing contained herein shall be construed as prohibiting or restricting the right of the authority to sell such bonds at a discount, even if in doing so the effective interest cost resulting therefrom would exceed the maximum per annum interest rate specified in such notices and in the petition and complaint.
(i) The terms “cost of the project” or “cost of any project” shall have the meaning prescribed in this article whenever referred to in bond resolutions of the authority, in bonds, notes, or other obligations of the authority, or in notices or proceedings to validate such bonds, notes, or other obligations of the authority.
(j) The issuance of any bond, revenue bond, note, or other obligation or the incurring of any debt by the authority must, prior to such, be approved by the Georgia State Financing and Investment Commission established by Article VII, Section IV, Paragraph VII of the Constitution of the State of Georgia of 1983 or its successor.
The implementation of rail passenger service and public transportation projects within the State of Georgia develops and promotes, for the public good and general welfare, trade, commerce, tourism, industry, and employment opportunities and promotes the general welfare of the state by creating a climate favorable to the location of new industry, trade, and commerce and the development of existing industry, trade, and commerce within the State of Georgia. Implementation of rail passenger service and public transportation projects within this state under the article will develop and promote, for the public good and general welfare, trade, commerce, tourism, industry, and employment opportunities and will promote the general welfare of the state. It is therefore in the public interest and is vital to the public welfare of the people of Georgia, and it is declared to be the public purpose of this article to so develop public transportation projects within this state. No bonds, notes, or other obligations, except refunding bonds, shall be issued by the authority pursuant to this article unless its membership adopts a resolution finding that the project for which such bonds, notes, or other obligations are to be issued will promote the foregoing objectives.
The provisions of this article shall be liberally construed to effect its stated purpose. The offer, sale, or issuance of bonds, notes, or other obligations by the authority shall not be subject to regulation under the Georgia laws regulating the sale of securities, as heretofore and hereafter amended. No notice, proceeding, or publication except those required by this article shall be necessary to the performance of any act authorized by this article, nor shall any such act be subject to referendum.
No bonds, notes, or other obligations of and no indebtedness incurred by the authority shall constitute an indebtedness or obligation of the State of Georgia or any county, municipal corporation, or political subdivision thereof nor shall any act of the authority in any manner constitute or result in the creation of an indebtedness of the state or any such county, municipal corporation, or political subdivision. No holder or holders of any such bonds, notes, or other obligations shall ever have the right to compel any exercise of the taxing power of the state or any county, municipal corporation, or political subdivision thereof nor to enforce the payment thereof against the state or any such county, municipal corporation, or political subdivision.
The authority is created for nonprofit and public purposes; and it is found, determined, and declared that the creation of the authority and the carrying out of its corporate purpose is in all respects for the benefit of the people of the state, that the authority is an institution of purely public charity and will be performing an essential governmental function in the exercise of the powers conferred upon it by this article, and for such reasons the state covenants with the holders from time to time of the bonds, notes, and other obligations issued hereunder that the authority shall not be required to pay any taxes or assessments imposed by the state or any of its counties, municipal corporations, political subdivisions, or taxing districts upon any property acquired by the authority or under its jurisdiction, control, possession, or supervision or leased by it to others or upon its activities in the operation or maintenance of any such property or on any income derived by the authority in the form of fees, recording fees, rentals, charges, purchase price, installments, or otherwise, and that the bonds, notes, and other obligations of the authority, their transfer, and the income therefrom shall at all times be exempt from taxation within the state.
This article shall not affect any other authority now or hereafter existing under general or local constitutional amendment or general or local law.
(a) For purposes of state planning and development of service there is created a comprehensive and coordinated state-wide system of railway passenger service corridors for providing railway passenger service to the general public and connecting points within and throughout this state and to nearby states, which shall be known as the Designated Georgia Rail Passenger Corridors and shall include the following:
(1) Atlanta-Athens;
(2) Atlanta-Hartsfield International Airport-Macon;
(3) Macon-Jesup-Brunswick;
(4) Macon-Americus-Albany;
(5) Macon-Houston County-Valdosta;
(6) Macon-Douglas-Waycross-Jacksonville, Florida;
(7) Macon-Savannah;
(8) Atlanta-Columbus;
(9) Atlanta-Augusta;
(10) Atlanta-Gainesville;
(11) Atlanta-Bremen;
(12) Atlanta-Canton;
(13) Atlanta-Cartersville;
(14) Jesup-Waycross-Jacksonville, Florida;
(15) Gainesville-Greenville, South Carolina;
(16) Albany-Tallahassee, Florida;
(17) Bremen-Birmingham, Alabama; and
(18) Atlanta-Chattanooga, Tennessee.
(b)(1) Nothing in this Code section shall preclude or delay state involvement in the planning and development of high speed rail for the Atlanta to Chattanooga, Tennessee, railway passenger service corridor, should federal or private funds be made available for such high speed rail.
(2) For the purposes of this subsection, “high speed rail” is defined as involving trains traveling at maximum speeds in excess of 110 miles per hour.
(a) Any and all railway passenger service plans or programs of any and all state departments, agencies, boards, bureaus, commissions, or authorities having responsibility for the same shall be conducted and coordinated so as to conform planning and development of service to the railway passenger service corridors of the program provided by this article. It is the intent of the General Assembly that planning and development of railway passenger service shall include every metropolitan statistical area of the state to the extent that revenues of the state for such planning or development are made available from either dedicated revenue sources or the general fund.
(b) Any state department, agency, board, bureau, commission, or authority having responsibility for any railway passenger service planning or programming may recommend any additional railway passenger service corridor or corridors to the General Assembly for inclusion in the Designated Georgia Rail Passenger Corridors after completion of a feasibility study for such proposed additional railway passenger service corridor or corridors, but no additional railway passenger service corridor shall be studied for inclusion unless federal or state funding is made available for such study. No railway passenger service corridor shall be a part of the Designated Georgia Rail Passenger Corridors unless and until it is included in the list provided by Code Section 46-9-290.
The Governor, on behalf of this state, is authorized to execute a compact in substantially the following form with the States of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama and the General Assembly, by this article, signifies in advance its approval of such compact, which compact is as follows:
MISSISSIPPI-LOUISIANA-ALABAMA-GEORGIA RAPID RAIL TRANSIT COMPACT
ARTICLE I
The purpose of this compact is to study the feasibility of rapid rail transit service between the States of Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, and Georgia and to establish a joint interstate commission to assist in this effort.
ARTICLE II
This compact shall become effective immediately as to the states ratifying it whenever the States of Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, and Georgia have ratified it and Congress has given consent thereto. Any state not mentioned in this article which is contiguous with any member state may become a party to this compact, subject to approval by the legislature of each of the member states.
ARTICLE III
The states which are parties to this compact, (referred to in this compact as “party states”) do hereby establish and create a joint agency which shall be known as the Mississippi-Louisiana-Alabama-Georgia Rapid Rail Transit Commission (referred to in this compact as the “commission”). The membership of such commission shall consist of the governor of each party state, one representative each from the Mississippi Energy and Transportation Board, or its successor, the Office of Aviation and Public Transportation of the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, or its successor, the Alabama Department of Energy, or its successor, and the Georgia State Board of Transportation, or its successor, and five other citizens of each party state, to be appointed by the governor thereof. The appointive members of the commission shall serve for terms of four years each. Vacancies on the commission shall be filled by appointment by the governor for the unexpired portion of the term. The members of the commission shall not be compensated for service on the commission, but each of the appointed members shall be entitled to actual and reasonable expenses incurred in attending meetings, or incurred otherwise in the performance of duties as a member of the commission. The members of the commission shall hold regular quarterly meetings and such special meetings as its business may require. They shall choose annually a chairman and vice chairman from among their members, and the chairmanship shall rotate each year among the party states in order of their acceptance of this compact. The commission shall adopt rules and regulations for the transaction of its business and a record shall be kept of all its business. It shall be the duty of the commission to study the feasibility of providing interstate rapid rail transit service between the party states. Toward this end, the commission shall have power to hold hearings; to conduct studies and surveys of all problems, benefits and other matters associated with such service, and to make reports thereon; to acquire, by gift, grant or otherwise, from local, state, federal or private sources such money or property as may be provided for the proper performance of their function, and to hold and dispose of same; to cooperate with other public or private groups, whether local, state, regional or national, having an interest in such service; to formulate and execute plans and policies for emphasizing the purpose of this compact before the Congress of the United States and other appropriate officers and agencies of the United States; and to exercise such other powers as may be appropriate to enable it to accomplish its functions and duties and to carry out the purposes of this compact.
ARTICLE IV
Each party state agrees that its legislature may, in its discretion, from time to time make available and pay over to the commission funds for the establishment and operation of the commission. The contribution of each party state shall be in equal amounts, if possible, but nothing in this article shall be construed as binding the legislature of either state to make an appropriation of a set amount of funds at any particular time.
ARTICLE V
Nothing in this compact shall be construed so as to conflict with any existing statute, or to limit the powers of any party state, or to repeal or prevent legislation, or to affect any existing or future cooperative arrangement or relationship between any federal agency and a party state.
ARTICLE VI
This compact shall continue in force and remain binding upon each party state until the legislature or governor of each or any state takes action to withdraw therefrom. However, any such withdrawal shall not become effective until six months after the date of the action taken by the legislature or governor. Notice of such action shall be given to the other party state or states by the secretary of state of the party state which takes such action.
There is granted to the governor, to the members of the commission for Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, and Georgia, and to the compact administrator all the powers provided for in the compact and in this section. All officers of the State of Georgia are authorized and directed to do all things falling within their respective jurisdictions which are necessary or incidental to carrying out the purpose of the compact.
This article shall be known and may be cited as the “Southwest Georgia Railroad Excursion Authority Law.”
(a) There is created a body corporate and politic to be known as the Southwest Georgia Railroad Excursion Authority, which shall be deemed to be an instrumentality of the state and a public corporation, for the purposes of construction, financing, operation, and development of rail passenger excursion projects utilizing any state owned railway in Crisp and Sumter counties and any nearby county which may be included within the service area as provided by this article.
(b) The authority shall be assigned to the Department of Natural Resources for administrative purposes only.
As used in this article, the term:
(1) “Authority” means the public body corporate and politic created pursuant to this article.
(2) “Cost of the project” or “cost of any project” means and shall include: All costs of acquisition, by purchase or otherwise, construction, assembly, installation, modification, renovation, or rehabilitation incurred in connection with any project or any part of any project; all costs of real property, fixtures, or personal property used in or in connection with or necessary for any project or for any facilities related thereto including, but not limited to, the costs of all land, estates for years, easements, rights, improvements, water rights, connections for utility services, fees, franchises, permits, approvals, licenses, and certificates; the cost of securing any such franchises, permits, approvals, licenses, or certificates; and the cost of preparation of any application therefor and the costs of all fixtures, machinery, equipment, furniture, and other property used in or in connection with or necessary for any project; all financing charges and loan fees and all interest on revenue bonds, notes, or other obligations of the authority which accrues or is paid prior to and during the period of construction of a project and during such additional period as the authority may reasonably determine to be necessary to place such project in operation; all costs of engineering, surveying, architectural, and legal services and all expenses incurred by engineers, surveyors, architects, and attorneys in connection with any project; all expenses for inspection of any project; all fees of fiscal agents, paying agents, and trustees for bondholders under any trust agreement, trust indenture, or similar instrument or agreement; all expenses incurred by any such fiscal agents, paying agents, and trustees; all other costs and expenses incurred relative to the issuance of any revenue bonds, notes, or other obligations for any project; all fees of any type charged by an authority in connection with any project; all expenses of or incident to determining the feasibility or practicability of any project; all costs of plans and specifications for any project; all costs of title insurance and examinations of title with respect to any project; repayment of any loans made for the advance payment of any part of any of the foregoing costs, including interest thereon, and any other expenses of such loans; administrative expenses of the authority and such other expenses as may be necessary for or incident to any project or the financing thereof or the placing of any project in operation; and a fund or funds for the creation of a debt service reserve, a renewal and replacement reserve, or such other funds or reserves as the authority may approve with respect to the financing and operation of any project and as may be authorized by any bond resolution, trust agreement, trust indenture, or similar instrument or agreement pursuant to the provisions of which the issuance of any revenue bonds, notes, or other obligations of the authority may be authorized. Any cost, obligation, or expense incurred for any of the foregoing purposes shall be a part of the cost of the project and may be paid or reimbursed as such out of proceeds of revenue bonds, notes, or obligations issued by the authority.
(3) “Project” means the acquisition, construction, installation, operation, modification, renovation, or rehabilitation of any rail passenger facilities in the service area either directly or through contract with another public or private agency. A project may also include any fixtures, machinery, or equipment used on, in, or in connection with any of the transportation facilities listed above. A project may be for any rail passenger excursion purpose, provided that a majority of the members of the authority determines, by a resolution duly adopted, that the project will further the public purpose of this article.
(4) “Revenue bonds” and “bonds” mean any bonds of an authority which are authorized to be issued under the Constitution and laws of the State of Georgia, including refunding bonds but not including notes or other obligations of an authority.
(5) “Service area” means the geographical area of operations of the authority and shall consist of the Counties of Crisp and Sumter and, with the consent of the appropriate governing authorities thereof, nearby counties, subject to the approval of the authority.
The authority shall have all of the powers necessary, proper, and convenient to carry out and effectuate the purposes and provisions of this article. The powers enumerated in this Code section are cumulative of and in addition to each other and other powers granted elsewhere in this article; and no such power limits or restricts any other power of the authority. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the powers of the authority shall include the powers:
(1) To sue and be sued;
(2) To adopt and amend a corporate seal;
(3) To make and execute contracts, agreements, and other instruments necessary, proper, and convenient to exercise the powers of the authority to further the public purpose for which the authority is created, including, but not limited to, contracts for construction of projects, leases of projects, contracts for operation of projects, contracts for sale of projects, agreements for loans to finance projects, and contracts with respect to the use of projects. Any and all persons, firms, and corporations and any and all political subdivisions, departments, institutions, or agencies of the state are authorized to enter into contracts, leases, or agreements with the authority upon such terms and for such purposes as they deem advisable; and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, authority is specifically granted to municipal corporations, counties, and other political subdivisions and to the authority to enter into contracts, lease agreements, or other undertakings with each other relating to projects of the authority for a term not exceeding 50 years. Likewise, without limiting the generality of the above and foregoing, the same authority above granted to municipal corporations, counties, political subdivisions, and to the authority relative to entering into contracts, lease agreements, or other undertakings is authorized between the authority and private corporations, both inside and outside this state, and between the authority and public bodies, including counties and cities outside this state;
(4) To acquire by purchase, lease, condemnation, or otherwise and to hold, lease, and dispose of real and personal property of every kind and character or any interest therein in furtherance of the public purpose of the authority;
(5) To finance, by loan, grant, lease, or otherwise, and to construct, erect, assemble, purchase, acquire, own, repair, remodel, renovate, rehabilitate, modify, maintain, extend, improve, install, sell, equip, expand, add to, operate, or manage projects and to pay the cost of any project from the proceeds of revenue bonds, notes, or other obligations of the authority or any other funds of the authority, or from any contributions or loans by persons, corporations, partnerships, limited or general, or other entities, all of which the authority is empowered to receive and accept and use;
(6) To borrow money to further or to carry out its public purpose and to execute revenue bonds; notes; other obligations; leases; trust indentures; trust agreements; agreements for the sale of its revenue bonds, notes, or other obligations; loan agreements; mortgages; deeds to secure debt; trust deeds; security agreements; assignments; and such other agreements or instruments as may be necessary or desirable, in the judgment of the authority, to evidence and to provide security for such borrowing;
(7) To issue revenue bonds, notes, or other obligations of the authority and use the proceeds thereof for the purpose of paying or loaning the proceeds thereof to pay all or any part of the costs of any project and otherwise to further or carry out the public purpose of the authority and to pay all costs of the authority incident to, or necessary and appropriate to, furthering or carrying out such purpose;
(8) To make application directly or indirectly to any federal, state, county, or municipal government or agency or to any other source, public or private, for loans, grants, guarantees, or other financial assistance in furtherance of the authority's public purpose and to accept and use the same upon such terms and conditions as are prescribed by such federal, state, county, or municipal government or agency or other source;
(9) To enter into agreements with the federal government or any agency or corporation thereof to use the facilities of the federal government or agency or corporation thereof in order to further or carry out the public purposes of the authority;
(10) To extend credit or make loans to any person; corporation; partnership, limited or general; or other entity for the costs of any project, which credit or loans may be evidenced or secured by loan agreements, notes, mortgages, deeds to secure debt, trust deeds, security agreements, assignments, or other instruments or by rentals, revenues, fees, or charges, upon such terms and conditions as the authority shall determine to be reasonable in connection with such extension of credit or loans, including provision for the establishment and maintenance of reserve funds, and, in the exercise of powers granted in connection with any project, the authority shall have the right and power to require the inclusion in any such loan agreement, note, mortgage, deed to secure debt, trust deed, security agreement, assignment, or other instrument of such provisions or requirements for guarantee of any obligations, insurance, construction, use, operation, maintenance, and financing of a project and such other terms and conditions as the authority may deem necessary or desirable;
(11) As security for repayment of any revenue bonds, notes, or other obligations of the authority, to pledge, mortgage, convey, assign, hypothecate, or otherwise encumber any property of the authority, including, but not limited to, real property, fixtures, personal property, and revenues or other funds; and to execute any lease; trust indenture; trust agreement; agreement for the sale of the authority's revenue bonds, notes, or other obligations; loan agreement; mortgage; deed to secure debt; trust deed; security agreement; assignment; or other agreement or instrument as may be necessary or desirable in the judgment of the authority to secure any such revenue bonds, notes, or other obligations, which instruments or agreements may provide for foreclosure or forced sale of any property of the authority upon default in any obligation of the authority, either in payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest or in the performance of any term or condition contained in any such agreement or instrument. The State of Georgia on behalf of itself and each county, municipal corporation, political subdivision, or taxing district therein waives any right the state or such county, municipal corporation, political subdivision, or taxing district may have to prevent the forced sale or foreclosure of any property of the authority upon such default and agrees that any agreement or instrument encumbering such property may be foreclosed in accordance with law and the terms thereof;
(12) To receive and use the proceeds of any tax levied by the State of Georgia or any county or municipality thereof to pay the costs of any project or for any other purpose for which the authority may use its own funds pursuant to this article;
(13) To receive and administer gifts, grants, and devises of money and property of any kind and to administer trusts;
(14) To use any real property, personal property, or fixtures or any interest therein; or to rent or lease such property to or from others or make contracts with respect to the use thereof; or to sell, lease, exchange, transfer, assign, pledge, or otherwise dispose of or grant options for any such property in any manner as it deems to be to the best advantage of the authority and the public purpose thereof;
(15) To acquire, accept, or retain equitable interests, security interests, or other interests in any real property, personal property, or fixtures by loan agreement, note, mortgage, deed to secure debt, trust deed, security agreement, assignment, pledge, conveyance, contract, lien, loan agreement, or other consensual transfer in order to secure the repayment of any moneys loaned or credit extended by the authority;
(16) To appoint, select, and employ engineers, surveyors, architects, planners, fiscal agents, attorneys, and others and to fix their compensation and pay their expenses;
(17) To encourage and promote by means of rail passenger excursion projects the improvement and advancement of the service area and the enhancement and profitability of tourism to the service area and its citizens;
(18) To make, contract for, or otherwise cause to be made long-range plans or proposals for rail passenger excursion projects within the service area, in cooperation with those political subdivisions within which such projects are located;
(19) To adopt bylaws governing the conduct of business by the authority, the election and duties of officers of the authority, and other matters which the authority determines to deal with in its bylaws;
(20) To exercise any power granted by the laws of the State of Georgia to public or private corporations which is not in conflict with the public purpose of the authority; and
(21) To do all things necessary, proper, and convenient to carry out the powers conferred by this article.
(a) The authority shall be composed of members appointed by governing authorities of counties and municipalities within the service area as provided by this subsection. The governing authorities of the Counties of Crisp and Sumter and the municipalities of Americus, Cordele, Leslie, and Plains shall each appoint two members. Two members each shall be appointed by the governing authority of any other county which is within the service area, or any municipality within such county, and in which such county or municipality a rail passenger service station or stop of the authority is located. Terms of members appointed by any county governing authority shall expire on December 31, 2002, and biennially thereafter. Terms of members appointed by the governing authority of any municipality shall expire on December 31, 2001, and biennially thereafter. Members shall serve until their successors are appointed and qualified; provided, however, that any member of the authority may be removed at any time, with or without cause, by the governing authority which appointed such member. Any member of the authority may be selected and appointed to succeed himself or herself. Any vacancy shall be filled for the unexpired term, and any appointment to fill a vacancy shall be made in the same manner as the original appointment.
(b)(1) Membership of the authority shall be a civil office for purposes of the eligibility requirements provided by Code Section 45-2-1, except that the residency requirement for any person appointed to the authority shall be residence in the jurisdiction of the appointing local governing authority for a period of at least 12 months prior to such person's appointment.
(2) A member of the appointing local governing authority may be appointed as a member of the authority, but his or her seat on the authority shall be vacant immediately upon his or her ceasing to be a member of the appointing local governing authority. Such person may be reappointed as a member of the authority to fill such vacancy.
(c) The members of the authority shall in January of each year elect one of their number as chairperson. Also, the members of the authority shall elect one of their number as vice chairperson, shall also elect one of their number as secretary, and may also elect one of their number as treasurer. The secretary may also serve as treasurer. Each of such officers shall serve for a period of one year and until their successors are duly elected and qualified. The chairperson of the authority shall be entitled to vote upon any issue, motion, or resolution.
(d) A majority of the members of the authority shall constitute a quorum. No vacancy on the authority shall impair the right of the quorum to exercise all of the rights and perform all of the duties of the authority.
(e) A vacancy on the authority shall exist in the office of any member of the authority who is convicted of a felony or who enters a plea of nolo contendere thereto; who is convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude or who enters a plea of nolo contendere thereto; who moves such person's residence from the jurisdiction of the appointing authority; who is convicted of any act of misfeasance, malfeasance, or nonfeasance of such person's duties as a member of the authority; who fails to attend at least three consecutive meetings of the authority without an excuse approved by a resolution of the authority; or who is ineligible for civil office for any other reason provided by Code Section 45-2-1.
(f) All meetings of the authority shall be open to the public as provided in Chapter 14 of Title 50. The authority may hold public hearings on its own initiative or at the request of residents of any area affected by the actions of the authority.
(g) No member or employee of the authority shall have, directly or indirectly, any financial interest, profit, or benefit in any contract, work, or business of the authority nor in the sale, lease, or purchase of any property to or from the authority.
(h) The members shall receive no compensation for their services, but all members shall be entitled to be reimbursed out of funds of the authority for actual expenses, including travel and any other expenses, incurred while in the performance of their duties. Employees of the authority shall receive reasonable compensation, to be determined by the members of the authority, for their services. Employees of the authority shall not be members of the Employees' Retirement System of Georgia.
The members of the authority shall be accountable in all respects as trustees. The authority shall keep suitable and proper books and records of all receipts, income, and expenditures of every kind and shall submit for inspection all of the books, together with a proper statement of the authority's financial position, once a year on or about June 30 to the state auditor.
Revenue bonds, notes, or other obligations issued by the authority shall be paid solely from the property, including, but not limited to, real property, fixtures, personal property, revenues, or other funds pledged, mortgaged, conveyed, assigned, hypothecated, or otherwise encumbered to secure or to pay such bonds, notes, or other obligations. All revenue bonds, notes, and other obligations shall be authorized by resolution of the authority, adopted by a majority vote of the members of the authority at a regular or special meeting. Such revenue bonds, notes, or other obligations shall bear such date or dates, shall mature at such time or times not more than 40 years from their respective date, shall bear interest at such rate or rates which may be fixed or may fluctuate or otherwise change from time to time, shall be subject to redemption on such terms, and shall contain such other terms, provisions, covenants, assignments, and conditions as the resolution authorizing the issuance of such bonds, notes, or other obligations may permit or provide. The terms, provisions, covenants, assignments, and conditions contained in or provided or permitted by any resolution of the authority authorizing the issuance of such revenue bonds, notes, or other obligations shall bind the members of the authority then in office and their successors. The authority shall have power from time to time and whenever it deems refunding expedient to refund any bonds by the issuance of new bonds, whether the bonds to be refunded have or have not matured, and may issue bonds partly to refund bonds then outstanding and partly for any other purpose permitted under this article. The refunding bonds may be exchanged for the bonds to be refunded with such cash adjustments as may be agreed upon or may be sold and the proceeds applied to the purchase or redemption of the bonds to be refunded. There shall be no limitation upon the amount of revenue bonds, notes, or other obligations which any authority may issue. Any limitation with respect to interest rates or any maximum interest rate or rates found in the usury laws of the State of Georgia, or any other laws of the State of Georgia, shall not apply to revenue bonds, notes, or other obligations of the authority.
(a) Subject to the limitations and procedures provided by this Code section, the agreements or instruments executed by the authority may contain such provisions not inconsistent with law as shall be determined by the members of the authority.
(b) The proceeds derived from the sale of all bonds, notes, and other obligations issued by the authority shall be held and used for the ultimate purpose of paying, directly or indirectly as permitted in this article, all or part of the cost of any project or for the purpose of refunding any bonds, notes, or other obligations issued in accordance with the provisions of this article.
(c) Issuance by the authority of one or more series of bonds, notes, or other obligations for one or more purposes shall not preclude it from issuing other bonds, notes, or other obligations in connection with the same project or with any other project, but the proceeding wherein any subsequent bonds, notes, or other obligations shall be issued shall recognize and protect any prior loan agreement, mortgage, deed to secure debt, trust deed, security agreement, or other agreement or instrument made for any prior issue of bonds, notes, or other obligations unless in the resolution authorizing such prior issue the right is expressly reserved to the authority to issue subsequent bonds, notes, or other obligations on a parity with such prior issue.
(d) The authority shall have the power and is authorized, whenever bonds of the authority shall have been validated as provided in this article, to issue from time to time its notes in anticipation of such bonds as validated and to renew from time to time any such notes by the issuance of new notes, whether the notes to be renewed have or have not matured. The authority may issue such bond anticipation notes only to provide funds which would otherwise be provided by the issuance of the bonds as validated. Such notes may be authorized, sold, executed, and delivered in the same manner as bonds. As with its bonds, the authority may sell such notes at public or private sale. Any resolution or resolutions authorizing notes of the authority or any issue thereof may contain any provisions which the authority is authorized to include in any resolution or resolutions authorizing bonds of the authority or any issue thereof, and the authority may include in any notes any terms, covenants, or conditions which the authority is authorized to include in any bonds. Validations of such bonds shall be a condition precedent to the issuance of such notes, but it shall not be required that such notes be judicially validated. Bond anticipation notes shall not be issued in an amount exceeding the par value of the bonds in anticipation of which they are to be issued.
(e) All bonds issued by the authority under this article shall be issued and validated under and in accordance with Article 3 of Chapter 82 of Title 36, the “Revenue Bond Law,” as heretofore and hereafter amended, except as provided in this article, provided that notes and other obligations of the authority may be, but shall not be required to be, so validated.
(f) Bonds issued by the authority may be in such form, either coupon or fully registered or both coupon and fully registered, and may be subject to exchangeability and transferability provisions as the bond resolution authorizing the issuance of such bonds or any indenture or trust agreement may provide.
(g) Bonds shall bear a certificate of validation. The signature of the clerk of the superior court of the judicial circuit in which the issuing authority is located may be made on the certificate of validation of such bonds by facsimile or by manual execution stating the date on which such bonds were validated, and such entry shall be original evidence of the fact of judgment and shall be received as original evidence in any court in this state.
(h) In lieu of specifying the rate or rates of interest which bonds to be issued by an authority are to bear, the notice to the district attorney or Attorney General; the notice to the public of the time, place, and date of the validation hearing; and the petition and complaint for validation may state that the bonds when issued will bear interest at a rate not exceeding a maximum per annum rate of interest, which may be fixed or may fluctuate or otherwise change from time to time, specified in such notices and petition and complaint or that, in the event the bonds are to bear different rates of interest for different maturity dates, that note of such rates will exceed the maximum rate which may be fixed or may fluctuate or otherwise change from time to time so specified; provided, however, that nothing contained herein shall be construed as prohibiting or restricting the right of the authority to sell such bonds at a discount, even if in doing so the effective interest cost resulting therefrom would exceed the maximum per annum interest rate specified in such notices and in the petition and complaint.
(i) The terms “cost of the project” or “cost of any project” shall have the meaning prescribed in this article whenever referred to in bond resolutions of the authority; in bonds, notes, or other obligations of the authority; or in notices or proceedings to validate such bonds, notes, or other obligations of the authority.
(j) The issuance of any bond, revenue bond, note, or other obligation or the incurring of any debt by the authority must, prior to such, be approved by the Georgia State Financing and Investment Commission established by Article VII, Section IV, Paragraph VII of the Constitution of the State of Georgia of 1983 or its successor.
The implementation of rail passenger excursion projects within the service area develops and promotes, for the public good and general welfare, trade, commerce, tourism, industry, and employment opportunities and promotes the general welfare of the state by creating a climate favorable to the location of new industry, trade, and commerce and the development of existing industry, trade, and commerce within the State of Georgia. Implementation of rail passenger excursion projects within the service area under this article will develop and promote, for the public good and general welfare, trade, commerce, tourism, industry, and employment opportunities and will promote the general welfare of the state. It is therefore in the public interest and is vital to the public welfare of the people of Georgia, and it is declared to be the public purpose of this article to so develop rail passenger excursion projects within the service area. No bonds, notes, or other obligations, except refunding bonds, shall be issued by the authority pursuant to this article unless its membership adopts a resolution finding that the project for which such bonds, notes, or other obligations are to be issued will promote the foregoing objectives.
The provisions of this article shall be liberally construed to effect its stated purpose. The offer, sale, or issuance of bonds, notes, or other obligations by the authority shall not be subject to regulation under the Georgia laws regulating the sale of securities, as heretofore and hereafter amended. No notice, proceeding, or publication except those required by this article shall be necessary to the performance of any act authorized by this article, nor shall any such act be subject to referendum.
No bonds, notes, or other obligations of and no indebtedness incurred by the authority shall constitute an indebtedness or obligation of the State of Georgia or any county, municipal corporation, or political subdivision thereof nor shall any act of the authority in any manner constitute or result in the creation of an indebtedness of the state or any such county, municipal corporation, or political subdivision. No holder or holders of any such bonds, notes, or other obligations shall ever have the right to compel any exercise of the taxing power of the state or any county, municipal corporation, or political subdivision thereof nor to enforce the payment thereof against the state or any such county, municipal corporation, or political subdivision.
The authority is created for nonprofit and public purposes; and it is found, determined, and declared that the creation of the authority and the carrying out of its corporate purpose is in all respects for the benefit of the people of the state, that the authority is an institution of purely public charity and will be performing an essential governmental function in the exercise of the powers conferred upon it by this article, and for such reasons the state covenants with the holders from time to time of the bonds, notes, and other obligations issued hereunder that the authority shall not be required to pay any taxes or assessments imposed by the state or any of its counties, municipal corporations, political subdivisions, or taxing districts upon any property acquired by the authority or under its jurisdiction, control, possession, or supervision or leased by it to others or upon its activities in the operation or maintenance of any such property or on any income derived by the authority in the form of fees, recording fees, rentals, charges, purchase price, installments, or otherwise, and that the bonds, notes, and other obligations of the authority, their transfer, and the income therefrom shall at all times be exempt from taxation within the state.
The authorization for rail passenger excursion projects provided by this article shall be in addition to and not limited by any other authorization for rail passenger service or rail passenger service projects provided by this chapter.
Connect Omnilex to search the legal corpus from your AI assistant.