H-365                _______________________________________________

                                                     HOUSE BILL NO. 57

                        _______________________________________________

State of Washington                              49th Legislature                              1985 Regular Session

By Representatives D. Nelson, Jacobsen, Todd, Valle and Unsoeld

Read first time 1/17/85 and referred to Committee on Energy & Utilities.

AN ACT Relating to information and education activities of public service companies; and adding new sections to chapter 80.04 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  A new section is added to chapter 80.04 RCW to read as follows:

          The legislature declares it is the policy of the state that ratepayer-financed public service company information and education activities shall not be restricted in attendance, shall be unbiased, and shall include all points of view on issues.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.  A new section is added to chapter 80.04 RCW to read as follows:

          By December 31, 1985, the commission shall adopt rules pertaining to ratepayer-financed public service company information and education activities.  The rules shall extend to all ratepayer-financed information and education activities, including newsletters, employee and ratepayer notices and mailings, advertising, and general communications.  The rules shall include the following provisions:

          (1) Seminars or materials must be general in nature and not focused on specific legislation or candidates for political office;

          (2) When legislation, candidates, or office holders must be mentioned, the coverage shall not convey support or opposition;

          (3) These activities shall not include political action committee solicitations;

          (4) These activities shall not be a means to gather data for political mailing lists or recruiting political campaign volunteers;

          (5) Treatment of topics shall be balanced, incorporating all points of view; and

          (6) Any information of a political nature generated by a public service company with ratepayer funds must be accessible to all employees of that public service company.