(a) The department may contract with an electrical corporation or its successor in the performance of related service, as an agent of the department, to provide billing, collection, and other related services on terms and conditions that reasonably compensate the electrical corporation or its successor for its services, and adequately secure payment to the department.
(b) At the request of the department, the commission shall order an electrical corporation or its successor to perform the duties pursuant to a contract described in subdivision (a).