476.55 Complaint of antitrust activities.
1. An application for new or changed rates, charges, schedules, or regulations filed under this chapter, or an application for a certificate or an amendment to a certificate submitted under chapter 476A, by an electric transmission line utility or a gas pipeline utility or a subsidiary of either shall not be approved by the board if, upon complaint by an Iowa electric or gas utility, the board finds activities which create or maintain a situation inconsistent with antitrust laws and the policies which underlie them. The board may grant the rate or facility certification request once it determines that those activities which led to the antitrust complaint have been eliminated. However, this subsection does not apply to an application for new or changed rates, charges, schedules, or regulations after the expiration of the ten-month limitation and applicable extensions.
2. a. Notwithstanding section 476.1D, the board may receive a complaint from a local exchange carrier that another local exchange carrier has engaged in an activity that is inconsistent with antitrust laws and the policies which underlie them. For purposes of this subsection, “local exchange carrier” means the same as defined in section 476.96, Code 2017, and includes a city utility authorized pursuant to section 388.2 to provide local exchange services. If, after notice and opportunity for hearing, the board finds that a local exchange carrier has engaged in an activity that is inconsistent with antitrust laws and the policies which underlie them, the board may order any of the following:
(1) The local exchange carrier to adjust retail rates in an amount sufficient to correct the antitrust activity.
(2) The local exchange carrier to pay any costs incurred by the complainant for the pursuit of the complaint.
(3) The local exchange carrier to pay a civil penalty.
(4) Either the local exchange carrier or the complainant to pay the costs of the complaint proceeding before the board, and the other party’s reasonable attorney fees.
b. This subsection shall not be construed to modify, restrict, or limit the right of a person to bring a complaint under any other provision of this chapter.
83 Acts, ch 127, §38; 2005 Acts, ch 9, §2; 2011 Acts, ch 25, §143; 2020 Acts, ch 1063, §265
Subsection 2, paragraph a, unnumbered paragraph 1 amended