SENATE BILL REPORT

                            SB 5439

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON ENERGY & UTILITIES, FEBRUARY 15, 1993

Brief Description:  Adding two members to the utilities and transportation commission.

SPONSORS: Senators McCaslin and Sutherland

SENATE COMMITTEE ON ENERGY & UTILITIES

Majority Report:  Do pass. 

     Signed by Senators Sutherland, Chairman; Jesernig, Vice Chairman; Hochstatter, McCaslin, Owen, A. Smith, Vognild, West, and Williams.

Staff:  Ben Barnes (786‑7198)

Hearing Dates: February 11, 1993; February 15, 1993

SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS

Staff:  Martin Chaw (786-7715)

Hearing Dates:  March 8, 1993

BACKGROUND:

The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission is the state agency responsible for regulating utility and transportation companies to ensure that safe and reliable service is provided to consumers at reasonable rates.  The WUTC consists of three commissioners appointed by the Governor, subject to the consent of the Senate.  Each commissioner serves a six-year term and may be reappointed.  The terms are staggered so that one term expires every two years.  No more than two commissioners may be from the same political party, and each commissioner has an equal vote in all WUTC decisions.

It is recommended that the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission be expanded from three to five members. 

SUMMARY:

Two additional members are added to the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  yes

Fiscal Note:  available

TESTIMONY FOR:  None

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  No one