48:3-7.8. Regulations applicable to public utilities.

48:3-7.8. a. Every public utility shall at all times keep within this State all records, books, accounts, documents and other writings relating to contracts entered into, transactions had, services rendered, business done and property within this State, and shall at no time remove any of such records, books, accounts, documents or writings from this State without the consent in writing of the board first had and obtained.

b. The board may by order in writing grant consent and permission under such regulations and conditions as it may see fit to impose for the keeping of any such records, books, accounts, documents and other writings outside of the State in such cases as the board may determine that such consent or permission so granted may be of financial advantage to the customers of the public utility within this State. Such consent or permission so granted may be revoked by the board at any time without notice. A public utility granted such consent or permission shall on the notice in writing of the board produce such records, books, accounts, documents and other writings at such time and place within this State as the board may designate.

c. A natural gas or electric vendor shall maintain an office within the State and shall keep such records pertaining to the sale as the board determines by order in writing to be necessary to protect the interest of consumers in the State.

d. A public utility as defined in R.S.48:2-13 shall not enter into a contract with a natural gas or electric vendor unless it first certifies to the board that the vendor is in compliance with subsection c. of this section and with R.S.48:3-7.9.

e. For the purpose of this section and R.S.48:3-7.9, "vendor" means and includes an individual, firm, joint venture, partnership, corporation, association, state, county, municipality, public agency or authority, cooperation association, or joint stock association, or any trustee, receiver, assignee, or personal representative thereof that is not a public utility as defined in R.S.48:2-13, but sells natural gas or electric power not for resale to a customer within this State.

Amended 1997, c.162, s.61.