1998 Minnesota Statutes

     239.12 Testing measuring equipment. 

    The department may inspect and test all meters, mechanical 
 devices, and measures of every kind, and tools, appliances, and 
 accessories connected therewith, used, employed, kept, sold, or 
 offered or exposed for sale within this state for the purpose of 
 measuring the amount, quantity or extent of electricity, gas, or 
 water furnished, sold, or distributed to the public by any 
 person, association, corporation, or municipality except cities 
 of the first class having meter inspection departments.  Upon 
 petition of at least ten consumers of electricity, gas, or water 
 within the territorial limits of any municipality and upon the 
 deposit with the clerk of such municipality by each of such 
 consumers of a fee of 25 cents for each such meter, mechanical 
 device, and measure installed or used upon the premises of each 
 such petitioning consumer, the governing body of such 
 municipality may request the department to make an inspection 
 and test of all such meters, mechanical devices, and measures 
 upon the premises of such petitioning consumers.  Thereupon the 
 department, within a reasonable time after the receipt by it of 
 such request, shall proceed to make an inspection and test of 
 all of such meters, mechanical devices, and measures upon the 
 premises of all such petitioning consumers and upon the premises 
 of all other consumers within such municipality who, at the time 
 of such inspection and test, shall have deposited with the clerk 
 of such municipality the fee of 25 cents for each such meter, 
 mechanical device, and measure upon the premises of such 
 consumers.  All such fees collected by the clerk of any such 
 municipality shall be remitted by such municipality to the 
 department within 30 days of the completion of such inspection 
 and test, and deposited to the credit of the general fund.  All 
 such meters, mechanical devices, and measures found, upon 
 inspection, to be correct and accurate, shall be sealed with 
 proper devices to be approved by the department.  The 
 department, or any of its employees, shall condemn, seize and 
 destroy all incorrect and inaccurate meters, mechanical devices, 
 and measures which, in the judgment of the department, cannot be 
 satisfactorily repaired; and such as are incorrect and 
 inaccurate and yet may be repaired shall be marked as "Condemned 
 for Repair," in the manner to be prescribed by the department.  
 The owner of such meters, mechanical devices, and measures which 
 have been so "Condemned for Repair" shall have the same repaired 
 and corrected within 30 days; and such meters, mechanical 
 devices, and measures shall not be disposed of without the 
 consent of the department.  In the general performance of its 
 duty, the department, or any of its employees, may enter or go 
 into or upon any premises, building, stand, or place at all 
 reasonable times. 

    HIST: (5285-1) 1927 c 291 s 1; 1931 c 98; 1971 c 25 s 67; 1977 
 c 364 s 16