[115th Congress Public Law 247]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]



[[Page 132 STAT. 3152]]

Public Law 115-247
115th Congress

                                 An Act


 
    To amend section 203 of the Federal Power Act. <<NOTE: Sept. 28, 
                         2018 -  [H.R. 1109]>> 

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. CLARIFICATION OF FACILITY MERGER AUTHORIZATION.

    Section 203(a)(1) of the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 824b(a)(1)) is 
amended by striking subparagraph (B) and inserting the following:
            ``(B) merge or consolidate, directly or indirectly, its 
        facilities subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission, or any 
        part thereof, with the facilities of any other person, or any 
        part thereof, that are subject to the jurisdiction of the 
        Commission and have a value in excess of $10,000,000, by any 
        means whatsoever;''.
SEC. 2. NOTIFICATION FOR CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS.

    Section 203(a) of the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 824b(a)) is 
amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(7)(A) <<NOTE: Deadlines. Regulations.>>  Not later than 
        180 days after the date of enactment of this paragraph, the 
        Commission shall promulgate a rule requiring any public utility 
        that is seeking to merge or consolidate, directly or indirectly, 
        its facilities subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission, or 
        any part thereof, with those of any other person, to notify the 
        Commission of such transaction not later than 30 days after the 
        date on which the transaction is consummated if--
                    ``(i) the facilities, or any part thereof, to be 
                acquired are of a value in excess of $1,000,000; and
                    ``(ii) such public utility is not required to secure 
                an order of the Commission under paragraph (1)(B).
            ``(B) In establishing any notification requirement under 
        subparagraph (A), the Commission shall, to the maximum extent 
        practicable, minimize the paperwork burden resulting from the 
        collection of information.''.
SEC. 3. <<NOTE: 16 USC 824b note.>>  EFFECTIVE DATE.

    The amendment made by section 1 shall take effect 180 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act.
SEC. 4. FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION REPORT.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission shall submit to 
Congress a report that assesses the effects of the amendment made by 
section 1.

[[Page 132 STAT. 3153]]

    (b) Requirements.--In preparing the report under subsection (a), the 
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission shall--
            (1) take into account any information collected under 
        paragraph (7) of section 203(a) of the Federal Power Act (16 
        U.S.C. 824b(a)) (as added by section 2); and
            (2) <<NOTE: Notice.>>  provide for public notice and comment 
        with respect to the report.

    Approved September 28, 2018.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--H.R. 1109:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

HOUSE REPORTS: No. 115-167 (Comm. on Energy and Commerce).
SENATE REPORTS: No. 115-253 (Comm. on Energy and Natural Resources).
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD:
                                                        Vol. 163 (2017):
                                    June 12, considered and passed 
                                        House.
                                                        Vol. 164 (2018):
                                    Sept. 4, considered and passed 
                                        Senate, amended.
                                    Sept. 13, House concurred in Senate 
                                        amendment.

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