Declaratory Ruling Declaratory ruling proceedings may be initiated either upon request or by the Utilities Board itself. DRUs offer the Board's interpretation of the rules in their application to a particular hypothetical circumstance. Electric Franchise A franchise is the authorization by the Utilities Board for the construction, erection, maintenance, and operation of an electric transmission line under Iowa Code chapter 478. The granting of a franchise requires a finding by the Board that the project is necessary to serve a public use, represents a reasonable relationship to an overall plan of transmitting electricity in the public interest, and follows an acceptable route.