HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 1260

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                    Environmental Affairs

Title:  An act relating to the review of solid waste collection company tariff filings by the utilities and transportation commission.

Brief Description:  Modifying review of solid waste collection company tariff filings.

Sponsors:  Representatives Linville, Horn and Rust; by request of Utilities & Transportation Commission.

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Environmental Affairs, February 11, 1993, DPS.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  Signed by 14 members:  Representatives Rust, Chair; Flemming, Vice Chair; Horn, Ranking Minority Member; Van Luven, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Bray; Edmondson; Foreman; Hansen; Holm; L. Johnson; J. Kohl; Linville; Roland; and Sheahan.

Staff:  Rick Anderson (786-7114).

Background:  All solid waste collection companies operating in the unincorporated areas of a county are regulated by the Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC).  Some collection companies operating in cities are regulated by the UTC.  A city has the option to allow the UTC to regulate collection, operate a city collection service, or regulate a private collection company.

If a solid waste collection company regulated by the UTC wants to change a rate or a level of service such as routes or service delivery, it must provide 30 days' notice to the public and to UTC.  During the 30-day period the UTC determines whether or not it wants to approve the rate change or initiate a formal review.  A proposed rate change is "suspended"  - does not go into effect - if the UTC decides to formally review the proposed rate change.  By law, the UTC can suspend a proposed rate change for up to seven months.

Summary of Substitute Bill:  A solid waste collection company regulated by the Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) is required to provide 45 days' notice before changing rates or service levels. 

The Utilities and Transportation Commission is authorized to suspend a regulated solid waste collection company's request for a rate increase for up to 10 months before making a decision on the proposed rate change. 

To enable a solid waste collection company to provide 45 days' notice to the UTC, a county, city, or person initiating a rate change at a transfer station, landfill, or incinerator must provide written notice to the public and the appropriate solid waste collection companies 75 days prior to the effective date of the rate change.  A solid waste collection company can waive all or part of the 75-day notice requirement.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The substitute adds the provision requiring solid waste collection companies to be notified 75 days prior to a rate change.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date of Substitute Bill:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  Increased notice to the UTC is necessary due to the increased number and complexity of the rate changes submitted to the UTC.

Many rate increases submitted by UTC regulated solid waste collection companies result from increased disposal costs which are not controlled by the collection company.  Collection companies need adequate notice of rate changes by disposal entities if the collection company is to meet the additional notice requirements imposed by the UTC.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  Eugene K. Eckhardt and Tim Sweeney, Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (pro); Bill Vogler, Washington State Association of Counties (pro); and John Paul Jones, Washington Refuse and Recycling Association (pro, with amendments).