1. Each public utility that elects to be regulated under an alternative plan of regulation pursuant to NRS 704.997 shall:

(a) Collect from each customer who is purchasing natural gas from the public utility under the alternative plan of regulation any tax, fee or assessment that would be due a governmental entity had the customer continued to purchase natural gas from a public utility that was regulated fully by the Commission pursuant to NRS 704.001 to 704.960, inclusive; and

(b) Remit any tax, fee or assessment collected pursuant to paragraph (a) to the applicable governmental entity.

2. Each alternative seller shall:

(a) Collect from each customer who is purchasing natural gas from the alternative seller any tax, fee or assessment that would be due a governmental entity had the customer continued to purchase natural gas from a public utility that was regulated fully by the Commission pursuant to NRS 704.001 to 704.960, inclusive; and

(b) Remit any tax, fee or assessment collected pursuant to paragraph (a) to the applicable governmental entity.

3. Each person who is responsible for billing a customer who is purchasing natural gas from a public utility under an alternative plan of regulation or from an alternative seller shall ensure that the amount which the customer must pay pursuant to this section is set forth as a separate item or entry on each bill submitted to the customer.

4. Upon petition by a governmental entity to which a tax, fee or assessment must be remitted pursuant to this section, the Commission may limit, suspend or revoke any license or other authority conferred by the Commission upon a public utility or alternative seller if the Commission, after providing an appropriate notice and hearing, determines that the public utility or alternative seller has failed to pay the tax, fee or assessment.

(Added to NRS by 2003, 3028)