SECTION 165:65-11-2. Penalty or charge for late payment of bills

(a)   A utility may make a penalty charge in an amount not to exceed one and one-half (1 1/2%) for delay in receipt of payment by the utility past the due date of the bill, unless otherwise ordered by the Commission. The due date shall be stated on the face of the bill and shall not be earlier than ten (10) days after the bill was mailed, except that for residential consumers, it shall not be earlier than twenty (20) days after the bill is mailed or hand delivered.

(b)   A utility shall clearly state upon the face of its bills the amount of late payment penalty, and the date on or before which payment must be received in order to avoid paying the late payment penalty. In its billing, the utility shall not use the term "prompt payment discount" or other words of similar import that suggest the consumer will receive a discount or reduction of charges for water service for payment prior to a certain date. The late payment penalty may be applied to any unpaid balance due at each monthly billing period.

[Source: Amended at 16 Ok Reg 2380, eff 7-1-99; Amended at 36 Ok Reg 718, eff 7-25-19]