S-3336.1 _______________________________________________
SENATE BILL 6208
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State of Washington 52nd Legislature 1992 Regular Session
By Senators Erwin, Stratton and Saling
Read first time 01/21/92. Referred to Committee on Energy & Utilities.
AN ACT Relating to a public utility district customer utilizing an electrical contractor; adding a new section to chapter 54.04 RCW; and creating a new section.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that a customer of a public utility district should have the opportunity to purchase the services of a qualified electrical contractor licensed by the state. The legislature further finds that this opportunity presently exists for customers of a municipal electrical utility and that no legitimate reasons exist to withhold this opportunity from customers of public utility districts that operate an electrical utility.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 54.04 RCW to read as follows:
If a district engaged in the operation of an electric utility directly assesses its customers a service installation charge for a temporary service, permanent service, or expanded service, the customer may, with the written approval of the district, contract with a qualified electrical contractor licensed under chapter 19.28 RCW to install the necessary material or equipment in lieu of having district personnel perform the installation. The district shall provide the customer with written reasons if it denies the customer's request to utilize a private electrical contractor for such installation work. A district's preference to utilize its own employees is not in itself a legitimate reason for denying the request. If a customer elects to employ a private electrical contractor, the private electrical contractor shall be solely responsible for any damages resulting from the installation of any temporary service, permanent service, or expanded service and the district shall be immune from liability for that installation.