(a) The public hearing referred to in § 23-3-310 shall be commenced within thirty (30) days after the statement required by § 23-3-306 is filed.
(b)
(1) The place, date, and time for the public hearing shall be set by the Arkansas Public Service Commission, and notice of the hearing shall be given by the commission to the person filing the statement and to the domestic public utility at least twenty (20) days prior to the date of the public hearing.
(2) Notice of the public hearing shall be given by the person filing the statement to such other persons and in such manner as may be directed by the commission at least fifteen (15) days prior to the public hearing.
(3)
(A) Notice of the hearing, in a form to be specified by the commission, shall be mailed, or shall be given in such other manner as may be determined by the commission, by the domestic public utility to its customers within ten (10) business days after it has received notice of the hearing from the commission.
(B) The expenses of preparation and mailing and giving of notice shall be borne by the person filing the statement required by § 23-3-306. As security for the payment of expenses, the commission may require the person to file with the commission an acceptable bond or other deposit in an amount to be determined by the commission.
(c) The public hearing shall be concluded within thirty (30) days after the commencement of the hearing.
(d) The commission shall make a determination of the factors specified in § 23-3-310 within thirty (30) days after the conclusion of the hearing, and any merger or other acquisition of control within the purview of this subchapter shall be deemed approved unless the commission has, within thirty (30) days after the conclusion of the hearing, entered its order disapproving the merger or other acquisition of control.