§ 49-06-05 — When valuation or revaluation required

The commission, upon its own motion, may, and, upon a petition for a valuation or
revaluation of the property of a public utility, including necessary audits, for the purpose of
determining the rate to be charged for the service rendered, signed by twenty-five percent of the
patrons or customers of such public utility, shall, endeavor to arrive at a reasonable rate through
negotiations with the public utility. If within thirty days after the filing of the petition, or within

thirty days after the adoption of an order or resolution by the commission on its own motion,
they are unable to agree upon a new rate which shall be not less than fifteen percent less than
the rate in force at the time of the filing of said petition, or the adoption of the order or resolution,
the commission shall proceed with a valuation or revaluation of the properties of the public utility
involved in the manner provided by this chapter. Each person, firm, corporation, or limited
liability company receiving service is to be considered a patron or customer within the purview
of this chapter, regardless of the number of meters owned, rented, or used by such person, firm,
corporation, or limited liability company, but a firm shall be considered a separate entity from the
individual members thereof.