PURCHASE OF VOTING STOCK IN ANOTHER PUBLIC UTILITY: REPORT

(a) A utility may not purchase voting stock in another utility doing business in this state and a person may not acquire a controlling interest in a utility doing business in this state unless the person or utility files a written application with the utility commission not later than the 61st day before the date on which the transaction is to occur. (b) The utility commission may require that a person acquiring a controlling interest in a utility demonstrate adequate financial, managerial, and technical capability for providing continuous and adequate service to the requested area and any areas currently certificated to the person. (c) If the person acquiring a controlling interest cannot demonstrate adequate financial capability, the utility commission may require that the person provide a bond or other financial assurance in a form and amount specified by the utility commission to ensure continuous and adequate utility service is provided. (d) The utility commission may hold a public hearing on the transaction if the utility commission believes that a criterion prescribed by Section 13.301(e) applies. (e) Unless the utility commission holds a public hearing, the purchase or acquisition may be completed as proposed: (1) at the end of the 60-day period; or (2) at any time after the utility commission notifies the person or utility that a hearing will not be held. (f) If the utility commission decides to hold a hearing or if the person or utility fails to make the application to the utility commission as required, the purchase or acquisition may not be completed unless the utility commission determines that the proposed transaction serves the public interest. A purchase or acquisition that is not completed in accordance with the provisions of this section is void.