House Bill 235 Summary

• Makes technical and clarifying changes to North Carolina public utilities laws, including updates to definitions of "public utility," procedures for the Utilities Commission and Public Staff, and conforming changes to regulatory processes

• Increases the nonutility filing fee for a certificate of public convenience and necessity from $25 to $250, effective July 1, 2019

• Allows lessors of multi-unit apartment buildings to use master meters for electricity and natural gas serving central systems and charge tenants based on their metered share, with Commission approval under G.S. 143-151.42, effective October 1, 2019

• Authorizes the Utilities Commission to contract with a consultant to study appropriate job classifications and salaries for Commission and Public Staff employees, with a report to the General Assembly by March 1, 2020

• Modifies rate case timelines from six months to 180 days for hearing commencement and updates procedural references throughout Chapter 62 of the General Statutes