Section 37-2-203 - Separate hearings; hearings to be open; representation by attorney; reports, investigations(a) When complaint is made of more than one matter or thing the commission may order separate hearings thereon and may hear and determine the several matters complained of separately and at such times as it may prescribe. All hearings conducted by the commission or commissioner shall be open to the public. In any hearing, proceeding or investigation conducted by the commission or commissioner, any party may be heard in person or by attorney.(b) Within a time to be fixed by the commission, every public utility under the jurisdiction of this commission shall file an annual report with the commission, verified by the oath of the president, treasurer or general manager or receiver, if any, of such public utility, or by the person required to file the same. The verification shall be made by said official holding office, at the time of the filing of said report, and, if not made upon the knowledge of the person verifying the same, shall set forth the source of his information and the grounds of his beliefs as to any matters not stated to be verified upon his knowledge. The commission shall prescribe the form of such reports and the character of the information to be contained therein, and may from time to time make such changes and such additions in regard to form and contents thereof as it may deem proper and each year shall furnish a blank form for such annual reports to every such public utility. Such report shall also cover the period, and be filed at the time prescribed by the commission. The contents of such report and the form thereof shall conform in the case of interstate public utilities as nearly as may be to that required of interstate public utilities under the act of congress entitled "An act to regulate commerce", approved February fourth, eighteen hundred and eighty-seven [1887], and the acts amendatory thereof and supplemental thereto. The originals of said reports subscribed and sworn to as prescribed by law, shall be filed in the office of the commission. The commission may require, by order of any public utility or person, specific answers to questions upon which the commission may need information. If any public utility shall fail to make and file its annual report within the time ordered, or the time extended by the commission, it shall be subject to the penalty as provided for under W.S. 37-12-204.(c) The commission shall, within its jurisdiction, have power, in its discretion, to prescribe uniform methods of keeping accounts, records and books, to be observed by all public utilities operating within the state. It may also in its discretion prescribe by order, forms of accounts, records and memoranda to be kept by such public utilities. Notice of alterations by the commission in the required method or form of keeping a system of accounts shall be given to such public utility by the commission at least six (6) months before the same shall take effect. Any other and additional forms of accounts, records and memoranda kept by such public utility shall be subject to examination by the commission. The system of accounts, established by the commission and the forms of accounts, records and memoranda prescribed by it shall in the case of interstate public utilities conform as nearly as may be to those prescribed by the surface transportation board under the act of congress, entitled "An act to regulate commerce", and the acts amendatory thereof and supplementary thereto.(d) Every public utility shall report to the commission, under rules and regulations prescribed by the commission and harmonizing insofar as practicable with those of the surface transportation board, and of any other department of this state, every accident occurring upon the property of any public utility or directly or indirectly arising from or connected with the maintenance or operation of the plant, equipment, appliances, apparatus, property or facilities of such public utility resulting in loss of life or injury to person or property; provided, that whenever any accident occasions the loss of life or limb to any person, such public utility shall straightway advise the commission of the fact by the speediest available means of communication.(e) The commission shall investigate the cause of all such accidents resulting in loss of life or injury to persons or property, as in the judgment of the commission requires investigation by it, and the commission shall have power to make such order with respect thereto, as it may deem just and reasonable.(f) Nothing in this act in relation to service regulation or in relation to reports or the methods of keeping accounts, records or books shall apply to any common carrier engaged in interstate commerce; provided, that, the department of transportation may, upon proper notice, require any common carrier to furnish to the department of transportation copies of any reports as it may designate which any common carrier may have filed with the surface transportation board.Amended by Laws 2012, ch. 84,§ 201, eff. 7/1/2012.Amended by Laws 2012, ch. 84,§ 103, eff. 7/1/2012.