KS SB348

Exempts not-for-profit electric public utilities that are wholly owned subsidiaries of electric cooperatives from Kansas State Corporation Commission jurisdiction and rate regulation.

Customers may petition the Commission to investigate rates within one year of a rate change, requiring signatures from 5% of all customers or 3% of customers from any single rate class; the Commission may order new rates if existing rates are found unjust or unreasonable.

Exempt utilities must provide at least 10 days' notice to all retail customers before meetings where rate changes will be discussed, and parent cooperative meetings on rates must be open to subsidiary customers.

Equity transfers from the exempt utility to the parent cooperative (dividends, stock repurchases, direct cash payments) require Commission approval, and exempt utilities remain subject to renewable energy standards.

Customers may vote to terminate the exemption by filing a petition signed by 10% of customers, followed by a mail ballot election requiring majority approval; such elections may occur no more than once every two years.