SECTION 165:45-3-5.1. Acquisition, control, or merger of domestic public gas utilities

(a)   An original and four (4) copies of an application for approval, consistent with 165:5-7-1, shall be filed with the Commission's Court Clerk no less than forty-five (45) calendar days prior to the effective date of any of the following transactions pursuant to 17 O.S. §§191.1 through 191.13:

(1)   acquisition of all or any controlling interest in a domestic public utility,

(2)   merger of a domestic public utility,

(b)   At the time the application is filed, the filing party shall serve a copy of the application with all attachments upon the Attorney General and the Commission's Pipeline Safety Division. The application shall include the following additional information, made under oath or affirmation:

(1)   The name and address of each acquiring party and all affiliates thereof; and

(A)   If such acquiring party is an individual, his principal occupation and all offices and positions held during the past five (5) years, and any conviction of crimes other than minor traffic violations during the past ten (10) years, or

(B)   If such acquiring party is not an individual, a report of the nature of its business and its affiliates' operations during the past five (5) years or for such lesser period as such acquiring party and any predecessors thereof shall have been in existence; an informative description of the business intended to be done by such acquiring party and its subsidiaries; and a list of all individuals who are or who have been selected to become directors or officers of such acquiring party, or who perform or will perform functions appropriate or similar to such positions. Such list shall include for each such individual the information required by (A) of this paragraph.

(2)   The source, nature and amount of the consideration used or to be used in effecting the merger or other acquisition of control, a detailed description of any transaction wherein funds were or are to be obtained for any such purpose, and the identity of persons furnishing such consideration; provided, however, that where a source of such consideration is a loan made in the lender's ordinary course of business, the identity of the lender shall remain confidential if the person filing such statement so requests. [17 O.S. § 191.3(A)(2)]

(3)   Audited financial information in a form acceptable to the Commission as to the financial condition of an acquiring party of the preceding three (3) fiscal years of each such acquiring party, or for such lesser period as such acquiring party and any predecessors thereof shall have been in existence, and similar information as of a date not earlier than one hundred thirty-five (135) calendar days prior to the filing of the application or the period of the most recent closed quarter prior to the filing of the application.

(4)   Any plans or proposals which an acquiring party may have to liquidate such public utility, to sell its assets or a substantial part thereof, or merge or consolidate it with any person, or to make any other material change in its investment policy, business or corporate structure, or management. If any change is contemplated in the investment policy, or business or corporate structure, such contemplated changes and the rationale therefore shall be explained in detail. If any changes in the management of the domestic public utility or person controlling the domestic public utility are contemplated, the acquiring party shall provide a resume of the qualifications and the names and addresses of the individuals who have been selected or are being considered to replace the then current management personnel of the domestic public utility or the person controlling the domestic public utility. [17 O.S. § 191.3(A)(4)]

(5)   The number of shares of any voting security which each acquiring party proposes to acquire, and the terms of the offer, request, invitation, agreement, or acquisition referred to in 17 O.S. §191.2 . . . ;

(6)   The amount of each class of any voting security which is beneficially owned or concerning which there is a right to acquire beneficial ownership by each acquiring party. [17 O.S. § 191.3(A)(6)]

(7)   A full description of any contracts, arrangements, or understanding with respect to any voting security in which any acquiring party is involved, including but not limited to transfer of any securities, joint ventures, loan or option arrangements, puts or calls, guarantees of loans, guarantees against loss or guarantees of profits, division of losses or profits, or the giving or withholding of proxies. Such description shall identify the persons with whom such contracts, arrangements, or understandings have been entered into. [17 O.S. § 191.3(A)(7)]

(8)   A description of the purchase of any voting security during the twelve (12) calendar months preceding the filing of the application, by any acquiring party, including the dates of purchase, names of the purchasers, and consideration paid or agreed to be paid therefore. [17 O.S. § 191.3(A)(8)]

(9)   Copies of all tender offers for, requests for, advertisements for, invitations for tenders of, exchange offers for, and agreements to acquire or exchange any voting securities and, if distributed, of additional soliciting material relating thereto. [17 O.S. § 191.3(A)(9)]

(c)   Such additional information as the Commission may prescribe as necessary or appropriate for the protection of ratepayers of the domestic public utility or in the public interest shall be provided as directed by the Commission.

(d)   If a person required to file the application is a partnership, limited partnership, syndicate or other group, the Commission may require that the information called for in (b) of this Section shall be given with respect to each partner of such partnership or limited partnership, each member of such syndicate or group and each person who controls such partner or member. If any such partner, member, person or acquiring party is a corporation or if a person required to file the application is a corporation, the Commission may require that the information called for by (b) of this Section be given with respect to such corporation, each officer and director of such corporation, and each person who is directly or indirectly the beneficial owner of more than ten percent (10%) of the outstanding voting securities of such corporation and each affiliate of such corporation.

(e)   If any material change occurs in the facts set forth in the application filed with the Commission and sent to such domestic public utility, an amendment setting forth such change, together with copies of all documents and other material relevant to such change, shall be filed with the Commission and sent by the person filing the application to the domestic public utility within two (2) business days after such person learns of such change.

(f)   Unless otherwise ordered by the Commission, a hearing shall be commenced within sixty (60) calendar days after the application is filed and shall be concluded within sixty (60) calendar days after its commencement. Notice of hearing shall be mailed to the domestic gas utility and to each of its customers prior to the date of the hearing as ordered by the Commission.

(g)   Any application for merger and other acquisition of control shall be deemed approved unless the Commission has, within sixty (60) calendar days after the conclusion of such hearing, entered its order approving or disapproving the merger or other acquisition.

[Source: Added at 25 Ok Reg 2215, eff 7-11-08; Amended at 36 Ok Reg 668, eff 7-25-19]