69-3-303. Notice and hearing on proposed change. (1) Except as provided in 69-3-308, before the commission may approve any change increasing the rate or rates for utility service in a schedule generally affecting consumers in a utility’s service area or before any change may become effective due to the passage of 9 months, the commission shall publish a notice of the proposed change, conforming to the requirements of 2-4-601 in one or more newspapers published and of general circulation within the area affected by the proposed change. This notice must announce a hearing on the proposed change and must inform interested persons as to how they may petition the commission to become parties to the hearing.

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(2)The commission shall proceed to conduct the hearing under the Montana Administrative Procedure Act. The final decision of the commission in any matter decided after a hearing conducted pursuant to this section must conform to the requirements of a decision in a contested case under the Montana Administrative Procedure Act.

(3)The consumer counsel may petition to become a party to the hearing.