FINAL BILL REPORT

SB 6179

C 104 L 18

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Concerning the annual reporting requirements for regulated utility and transportation companies.

Sponsors: Senators Carlyle, Ranker, Hunt and Sheldon; by request of Utilities & Transportation Commission.

Senate Committee on Energy, Environment & Technology

House Committee on Technology & Economic Development

Background: Under current law, the Utilities and Transportation Commission (Commission) regulates the rates, services, facilities, and practices of all public utility service businesses or commodities that operate for compensation within Washington.

Regulated public service companies (companies) are required to file an annual report with the Commission by a due date determined by the Commission. The annual reports must include certain financial and safety data such as:

• investment data;

• employee salaries and statistics;

• the character and costs of improvement; and

• a complete exhibit of the financial operations of the company for each year.

The Commission is authorized to assess a penalty of $100 per day on companies that fail to meet the set due date.

Summary: Certain annual report requirements for financial and safety data are removed.

If a company fails to file an annual report with the Commission by the set due date, the company will be assessed a penalty as follows:

• $250 for a report filed 1-30 days past due;

• $500 for a report filed 31-60 days past due;

• $1,000 for a report filed 61-90 days past due; or

• cancellation or revocation of operating authority and additional penalties upon notice from the Commission.

The Commission may waive the assessed penalties if a company is able to demonstrate that an annual report was filed past due because of circumstances beyond the company's control. A company must request a waiver within 15 days after a penalty is assessed.

Votes on Final Passage: